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

Rodrigo Duterte is the current mayor of Davao City who is a former government prosecutor and congressman. He is assisted by his daughter, Sara 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.