DAVAO CITY – Two contingents from the municipalities of Kapalong and Polomolok, Cotabato withdrew from the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan 2026 competition here due to financial and logistical challenges, according to event organizer Harold Quibete.

In Wednesday's Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media conference at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in this city, Quibete said each contingent needs around P350,000 to P400,000 to cover costumes, props, transportation, food, fuel, and rehearsals.

He said some groups have prepared their dancers and props but lacked enough financial support for transportation and other operational expenses.

"Rising fuel and commodity prices added to the costs, while some schools were hesitant to allow student dancers to join rehearsals outside the school calendar," Quibete said.

The Davao City government provides food and accommodation for provincial contingents, Quibete said, but their local governments, schools, or sponsors still cover their preparation and travel expenses.

With the two withdrawals, eight contingents remain in the open category.

The Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan grand showdown will be held for the first time at the Davao Coastal Road-Tulip Drive on Aug. 16, marking a major change in the staging of the Kadayawan Festival 2026.

City Tourism Operations Office officer-in-charge Willenito Tormis Jr. earlier said the relocation aims to provide a larger venue for thousands of spectators.

The street-dancing competition will still follow its shortened traditional route from Roxas Ave. to San Pedro Square but the final performances and awarding ceremony will move to the Davao City Coastal Road.

The Open Category grand champion will receive P1.5 million while the School-Based Category champion will get P1.2 million. The Pamulak sa Kadayawan champion will also receive a record P1-million prize.

Quibete said the city has conducted two safety and security meetings with the Public Safety and Security Office and other concerned agencies to prepare for activities on the Coastal Road.

"Aside from the Indak-Indak grand showdown, the area will host a carnival, a floriculture exhibit, and a food expo," Quibete said.

The organizer said that the Department of Public Works and Highways parking area will serve as the main parking and pickup area for contingents and spectators.

Parking will not be allowed inside the main event venue and a limited number of spaces will be reserved for the mayor and other VIPs. Only one designated drop-off point will be available for spectators.

"Traffic signs, barricades, and reduced speed limits will be implemented around the venue. Separate entrances and exits will be provided for contingents and spectators, with an emergency exit at the rear of the site," he added.

An open area away from carnival rides will serve as the emergency assembly area.

Quibete said police, traffic enforcers, public safety personnel, and other uniformed agencies will coordinate closely to manage traffic, crowd control, and emergency response.

The same safety measures will be implemented during the Kadayawan concert at San Pedro Square on Aug. 15.

Quibete said the festival's opening activities will begin with Subang Panagtagbo and Subang Sinugdanan, which symbolize the meeting of Davao's Muslim and Indigenous cultural communities.

Due to low tide, the boat procession will depart from the Magallanes area behind the Grand Men Seng Hotel instead of the original location.

Two boats representing Muslim and indigenous communities will travel toward Chongko Field where the city's 11 cultural communities and their Hiyas sa Kadayawan representatives will be introduced. A small feast will follow.

Kadayawan will open at around 5:30 p.m. at Magsaysay Park, featuring performances by Madayaw Ensemble, Bunal Wadab, Popong Landero, Maan Chua, and Nil Yanis.

The program will also feature a presentation tracing the evolution of Kadayawan jingles through the years.

The Pamulak sa Kadayawan pre-judging will begin at 4 a.m. the following day, followed by the street-dancing competition at around 6 a.m. from the corner of Roxas Ave. and C.M. Recto St.

The shortened route will pass through C.M. Recto, Rizal St., Iñigo St., and San Pedro St. before reaching San Pedro Square.

Several winning festival groups from Mindanao have been invited to participate in this year's festivities.