President Marcos has declared March 17, Monday, a special nonworking day in Davao City for the Araw ng Pasasalamat sa 88th Araw ng Davao.

Proclamation No. 825 was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, by authority of the President, on March 11.

The holiday proclamation will allow the people of Davao City to participate fully in the occasion and enjoy the celebration.

The Araw ng Davao commemorates the city officially becoming a city on March 16, 1936, and its inauguration on March 1, 1937.

In a message, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte said the festival is a manifestation of the Dabawenyos' strength, shaped by unity, determination, resilience, and empathy for one another.

"This year’s Araw ng Dabaw celebration with the theme, '88 years strong, One Davao,' reflects the strength of Dabawenyos shaped by our unity resilience, determination, and compassion for our fellowmen and women," he added.

This year, the month-long 88th Araw ng Davao kicked off with the Pasiugdang Pagsaulog at Rizal Park and the Misa Pasasalamat at San Pedro Cathedral on March 1.