Make no mistake about it, Davao City will always be the defiant city that it was, it is, and will still be.
Davao City marks another celebration of bounty and cultural diversity with the Kadayawan Festival happening throughout the month.
Mind not the many political ripples happening lately. Not even the musical chairs at the police ranks or outrageous raids of any sort can undermine the celebration.
Davao City has been through the dark times before. And at the end of the day, it will be the Dabawenyos who will decide their fate and their future.
From “Killing Fields” to “Center of Trade”
Transforming Davao City into the regional hub of the Davao Region and the center for trade, commerce, and industry in Mindanao was no smooth sailing as it formerly gained international notoriety as the “killing field” of the Philippines when it was controlled by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the 1980s.
But that was all in the rear-view mirror. Last March, Davao City marked the 2nd anniversary of the insurgency-free status of Davao City.
Davao City has been known as one of the safest cities in Southeast Asia and the mayor is firmed to work hard to sustain this because this is what Dabawenyos deserve, a peaceful and thriving city where every citizen respects the law and its people.
“We will not let anyone undermine the peace and order situation in the city, which we all worked hard to sustain over the years,” the mayor said in his second State of the City Address (SOCA).
Despite the current political turmoil, the young mayor continues to inspire the Dabawenyos assuring that “things will be okay.”
Brazen as he is, the young Duterte unflinchingly defied the tigers from Ilocos Norte after calling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign for eyeing to amend the Constitution to extend their terms of office.
The mayor is also firm in standing with the Davao police amid challenges and continues to lash out at big personalities in the Philippine National Police (PNP). Despite instability in the security forces, the mayor is always at the forefront of ensuring that peace and order, and stability continue in the city.
Like his bold father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, the young mayor shows political will in facing challenges and engaging enemies to protect the Dabawenyos and sustain the image of Davao City as a thriving and peaceful city.
Proof that the city is thriving despite the political climate was what he reported in his SOCA including Davao City continues to be a major MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) destination, and the city has approved P1,080,548,400 worth of actual investments and P3 billion more investment pledges lined up.
“Davao City remains a melting pot of culture and tradition here in Mindanao. We have welcomed everyone who chose to call this place “home” and we must sustain this harmony and cooperation moving forward. Peaceful coexistence, this is what we should strive for not only in the city but also in the entire country,” he said.
Despite challenges, the mayor reminded Dabawenyos to continue to be disciplined because according to him the success of a city will always be defined by the character of its people.
“Davao City is Davao City because of the Dabawenyos. Bisan unsa pa ka guwapo ang imong balaod, kung dili ni sundon sa mga tao, wala gihapon na’y bili,” Duterte said.
In March this year, the city government of Davao launched the Dabawenyo DCplinado campaign in a bid to promote and sustain the “Culture of Discipline” among Dabawenyos.
“As the present generation of Dabawenyos, we must ask ourselves, how can we help create a better society for our children? How can we contribute to nation-building? We must be involved in addressing issues affecting the lives of our families,” he said.
As for his own battles, the mayor expressed he could not be moved because he knew that the Dabawenyos were behind him.
“Daghang salamat sa inyong kanunay na pagsalig sa atong gobyerno. Daghan salamat sa inyong padayong paghigugma sa Davao City. Kitang tanan magpadayong mubarog sa kung unsa’y tama ug para sa kaayohan sa matag usa,” Duterte said.
