Davao City Philippines

The city of Davao is a wide metropolis that comprises over a million people living harmonously amidst diverse culture and traditions. It is one of the three acclaimed metropolis in the Philippines serving as the regional center for Southern part of Mindanao island. With a land area of 2,443 square kilometers, it is not far to be considered one of the largest cities of the world.
The presence of kings and queens of nature in the city have led it to being dubbed as “The Royal City” in the Philippines. The captivating “Waling-Waling” orchid, the exotic Durian fruit, the high and mighty Mount Apo mountain, and the king of skies Philippine Eagle are among Davao City’s natural pride. The city’s nature touch and unique characteristics have inspired many people from neighboring cities, and even countries, to make it their home.

Davao City has long emerged a highlight for business and tourism in the whole southern Philippines. What makes it an ideal place for livelihood and business is its natural advantages. The fertility of the land soil and abundance of water source, not to mention it is situated in a Typhoon-free zone, are just some of the factors that makes Davao City living worthwhile. Now the city is home to finest beaches in Samal and mountain resorts in the country that attracts large number of residents, visitors and tourists alike each year.

As of today, Davao City is the most valuable asset of Mindanao region in terms of economy. As the third largest city in the Philippines by land area, it prides itself for playing a part in furthering the country’s economy.

Like the rest of the country, Davao City economy is centered on a market-oriented system, although pricing mechanisms remain regulated in a few sectors (particularly on basic commodities) to protect consumers. The competitiveness of the market has been enhanced through the dismantling of protection for “infant industries” and the breakdown of industries with monopolistic or cartel tendencies. On the international front, Davao City economy has been opened up to global competition, through a tariff reduction program and the loosening of restrictions on inward foreign investment. The result is a diverse economy, featuring a sound mix between the agricultural (roughly 45%), industrial (15%) and service (at around 35%) industries. Poverty reduction has become the main goal of the local government which is being addressed through programs and projects one of which is the encouragement of inward investments to industries that are labor-intensive.

Fortunately for Davao, private investments has Davao City’s economy is steadily growing in the last two decades. The City has shifted counting investments from millions in the 80s to billions in the 90s and up to the present millennium. Among Asian cities, and apart from Cebu and Manila, Davao has maintained its competitive position in attracting investments and in penetrating new foreign markets owing to its resilient exports base, peaceful business climate, better quality of life, and rich pool of skilled workforce. With over 1.2-Million people as primary market base, the city is conducive to business as evidenced by the presence of the country’s top 200 companies. Inflow of investments has been remarkable in the last ten years. Export in the City is now billion dollar industry with a growing niche market for its products. The stable banana and flourishing pineapple industries are among the country’s leading export commodities. A net exporter since 1987, Davao City largely contributed in making the Philippines as the world’s top 3 banana exporter. Primarily an agricultural area, almost all kinds of fruits thrive in Davao including the exotic Durian. Other major agriculture-based exports are pomelo, mango, coconut, papaya, mangoosten, and even flowers.

The productive linkages between established businesses and Davao City community reinforced the competitive quality of life in a city that has consistently maintained single digit inflation rate since 1993. Along with flourishing investments and exports, the low inflation rate serve as concrete illustration of the remarkable gains from Davao City’s sustained competitiveness nurtured by high level of responsiveness of the local government which put priority focus in facilitating business-friendly initiatives and in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous environment.

Davao City is among the many cities in the Philippines with a high literacy rate. Education has always been one of the primary concerns of the government in the city. A free education is provided for grade school(primary level) and high school (secondary level). There are scholarships offered by the government from which everyone has a chance for free college education.Davao City has become the center for Learning and Education in the entire region of Southern Mindanao. With an average literacy rate of 91.05%, it is home to a lot of masters and doctorate degree holders that contributed to making the city gain such acknowledgement. The city now has a total of 374 elementary schools, 65 secondary schools, and 46 colleges and universities. Below are some of the popular Colleges and Universities located in Davao city.

University of Immaculate Conception, Davao City
Ateneo de Davao University
University of the Immaculate Conception
San Pedro College
University of Mindanao
Holy Cross of Davao College
Davao Doctor’s College
Philippine Women’s College of Davao
St. Peter’s College of Toril
Assumption College of Davao
Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (or Mindanao International College)

Others

• Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA)
• MATS College of Techonology
• John Paul II College
• AMA Computer College
• STI College of Davao
• Rizal Memorial College

The local government of Davao City has a unique set-up wherein the city mayor designates a deputy mayor. The deputy mayor serves as the direct link of people, especially those living outside the city proper, to the mayor and also serves as the mayor’s representative in all community affairs. The functions of the deputy mayor are also similar to that of the city vice-mayor.
Security and Defense

As for the city’s security and defense, the city government has invested millions to protect everyone living and working in Davao City. Aside from the usual forces of the Philippine National Police, the government formed a special military task force known as Task Force Davao to guard the city from terrorist attacks and other crimes. This special military group is also affiliated with the Philippine Army and is headed by an army colonel.

Davao city government also put up a 911 emergency response system which is active 24 hours for anyone who may call or report emergencies and crime incidents.

Fireworks and other similar pyrotechnics are banned from using in most area of the city, even on special occasions particularly Christmas and New Years Eve. If you are under a roof of any kind, smoking is also prohibited. Violators are either required to pay heavy fines, perform community service, go to jail, or a combination of those three. Fair enough for the government, restrictions like these are carried out to ensure the safety of everyone in the city.

The Mayor

Sara Duterte is the current mayor of Davao City. He is assisted by her father, Rodrigo Duterte, who is the current Vice-Mayor of Davao City. The country is aware of the peace and stability that Davao City experienced under the rule of Duterte, which brought in remarkable economic rise. The rate of crime in the city has reduced leading tourism organizations to claiming Davao as “the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia”. Duterte was labeled by Time Magazine as “The Punisher” and has been castigated by human rights groups and by Amnesty International for abiding with extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals. Duterte never admitted though any direct involvement with the killings.

The Name

How the city got its name wasn’t really that epic as to how it has outdone number of foreign conquers like every city or region would have in history. The etymology of the word “Davao” is in fact a combination of phonetics of the three terms from three different subgroups of the Bagobo, the early inhabitants of Davao. The terms were used when referring to what is now the Davao River. One subgroup named Obos called the river as Davoh, the Clatta or Guiangans subgroup called it Duhwow or Davau, and the Tagabawa Bagobos named it Dabu.

Influences

The influence that got first in Davao was the Spanish influence. Davao was still ruled by a Muslim chieftain named Datu Bago when an expedition led by a Spanish Don Jose Uyanguren reached the city in 1848. They established a Christian colony in the area of Mangrove swamps which is now the Bolton riverside and had since set differences between the leaders. Uyanguren defeated Datu Bago from the rule and renamed the region Nueva Guipúzcoa. He became its first governor. However, Uyanguren failed to develop the area despite his efforts.

It was the presence of American forces few years after that paved the way for the region’s prosperity. In 1900, American influence started, private farm ownership grew and transportation and communication facilities were improved which led to the growth of economy.

The Japanese influence was first sighted in 1903 when a Japanese enterpreneur named Kichisaburo Ohta started exploiting territories and revolutionized into abacá and coconut plantations. Many Japanese plantation workers came into shores forming a little Japan. They formed a society with their own Shinto Shrine and established a wide commercial interests such as copra, timber, fishing and import-export trading. Improved cultivation was first learned by Filipinos from the Japanese and has led Agriculture to bec ame the core of province’s economic prosperity.

Inauguration as City

Davao was officially acknowledged chartered city on March 1, 1937 by Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon. 30 years later, Davao was subdivided into three independent provinces, namely Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. Davao has become a place of ethnic diversity over the years as it continues to attract migrants from across the nation, drawn by the opportunities of getting rich in the country’s third largest city now

Davao has developed accepting and appreciating differences in culture and traditions. Since its acclamation as city, many ethnic groups arrived and assimilated easily to the early tribes. This has long made Davao a multi-cultural city.

Just like other cities in the Philippines, Davao City has a wide population of Catholics. Catholic churches and chapels spread on the city along with temples, mosques, and other places of worship.
One of the Spanish influences that still lives today is the celebration of each barrios (or villages) of their respective “Fiesta”. This celebration serves as the acknowledgement of the day of their respective “patron” Saints. During this celebration, songs dances and other forms of arts and amusements from different cultures are brought out creatively into the eyes of public. Showcases like those are even brought to the highest level during the celebration of the biggest “fiesta” of all – The “Kadayawan” Festival.