DAVAO CITY — Around 10,000 personnel from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will provide security coverage for the month-long Pasko Fiesta celebrations which will open on 28 November.

Aside from the police force, another couple of thousands of personnel were also deployed from the safety and security, fire, emergency, traffic, and social service sectors.

The men and women in uniform will be securing the city during the various events of the holiday celebrations. They will also be providing public safety and emergency services for the month-long festivities.

Public Safety and Security Office head Angel Sumagaysay said despite the low risk of a terrorist strike and a continuously declining crime rate, the city's security sector remains on guard.

"For the holiday celebrations, the top priority for surveillance are areas of convergence, particularly those privately-organized events," he said, adding that, the safety sector has fully deployed its emergency response assets to secure the events.

The Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2023, spearheaded by the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), will open on 28 November.

Jennifer Romero, CTOO officer-in-charge, said the installation of decorative pieces designed to embody the theme of "Warmth of Love, Radiance of Joy" of this year's Pasko Fiesta is set to begin.

A 50-foot Christmas tree, ornamental lights, and a model train, Romero said, are among the main pieces of the decorations.

She also announced the schedule of activities for the month-long celebration, starting with the Dan-Ag Davao and the Pag-abli sa Pasko in Rizal Park on 28 November.

The Panayegon sa City Hall — a series of Christmas Chorale concerts at Rizal Park — is slated on 29 November and 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 24, and 25 December.

From 30 November to 3 December, a Grand Christmas Bazaar will open at the Rizal Park.

A variety of holiday attractions will also open at Magsaysay Park for the whole month of December with the Paskuhan sa Magsaysay Park.

The Pasko Fiesta for Indigenous People, Badjao, and other sectoral groups where welfare goods and other gifts will be distributed to the indigenous groups from 1 to 15 December.

The elimination round of the Koro sa Pasko choir competition will be on 16 December at Rizal Park.

Employees of the local government are enjoined to participate in the Pasko Fiesta sa Empleyado at the Rizal Park where major prizes can be won in a raffle slated on 15 December.

The Banda Dasig ug Parada sa Pasko float parade will be on 22 December and followed by the RondalSayaw sa Pasko, a Rondalla and Dance performance concert, on 23 December.

From 23 to 27 December, the Kasadya sa Pasko Fiesta will visit public parks in the city to bring treats and joy to children for free.

On 31 December, a New Year's Eve party or the Paghinugyaw – Sugat sa Bag-ong Tuig will be held in Roxas Avenue.

"I would like to invite everyone to join us. I hope you will be there to help us open this wonderful time of the year," Romero added.