Councilor Pilar Braga, chair of the Datu Bago Awardees Organization (DBAO), Inc., on Tuesday officially announced that former president Rodrigo Duterte is this year’s lone Datu Bago awardee.
The Datu Bago Award is the highest honor bestowed by the city government of Davao, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, outstanding service, and significant contributions to the welfare and advancement of the people of Davao City.
Braga emphasized that Duterte’s award is centered on what the former mayor has done in Davao City.
“The organization believes that it is high time and the best time for Dabawenyos to show our appreciation and thanks to our former president. But his award is centered on what he has done mostly in Davao City. Yung pagka-presidente niya bonus na yun. Imagine, he is a guy from Davao City who rose to become a mayor, a vice mayor, a congressman, and the only Dabawenyo and the only Mindanaoan who became president of the Republic of the Philippines,” she said during the Aprubado sa Konseho media briefing on Tuesday.
According to DBAO, Duterte, fondly called “Mayor Digong,” during his tenure as the city’s chief executive, left a mark on Davao City through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to public service.
It said that throughout his more than two decades as mayor, Duterte spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives and implemented innovative policies that have shaped the city’s landscape and improved the lives of the Dabawenyos.
The group also shared that under Duterte’s leadership, Davao City witnessed progress in various aspects, including peace and order, infrastructure development, social services, and economic growth.
“Duterte’s relentless efforts in promoting peace and security have made Davao City one of the safest and most livable cities in the Philippines, earning it unquestionable national and international acclaim,” it said.
The group also underscored that the Datu Bago Award serves as a testament to Duterte’s dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to public service, and will continue to inspire generations of leaders.
The former mayor is known to not be fond of receiving awards and claiming recognition, Braga is hopeful that the FPRRD will attend the awarding ceremony on March 13, 2024, at the Arcadia Gym.
“I pray that he will attend because we know that the former president is a very humble person. Anyway, whether he attends or not, the award is for him,” Braga said.
