Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, in his inaugural speech on Friday, assured Dabawenyos that the city government of Davao will never tolerate abuse or wrongdoing, as the newly elected officials of the 21st City Council prepare to assume office next month.
“Government exists to ensure equal opportunity and justice for all, whether rich or poor. But Dabawenyos, you must also do your part—work with integrity and obey the law. Together, we will build a just and fair society,” he declared.
Duterte emphasized that the 21st City Council will enact clear and practical laws, and expects full compliance with the city’s ordinances to maintain peace and order across communities.
He underscored that the city government will never compromise the future of Davao for personal gain and reaffirmed its commitment to instilling honesty and discipline in the city’s youth.
“A peaceful and orderly city is the result of our collective respect for the law. We wouldn’t be enjoying the Davao we know today without the landmark ordinances and policies established by those before us. We must honor their legacy by preserving and sustaining these measures for the benefit of our children. We will not give you a government that tolerates abuse or wrongdoing. Our policies are clear—criminals are not welcome in Davao,” Duterte said.
Reflecting on recent achievements, the vice mayor expressed gratitude to the barangay officials, the safety and security cluster, the city government workforce, and the “DCplinadong Dabawenyos” for their contributions over the past three years.
“We’ve come this far because of all of you,” he said.
He highlighted the city’s continued financial growth, noting that Davao’s income rose from P5.1 billion in 2022 to P5.9 billion in 2024. The city’s GDP also increased significantly, from P495 billion in 2022 to P532 billion in 2023—an indicator of economic resilience and strong local industries.
Duterte announced the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector, with tourist arrivals exceeding 1.8 million in 2024—more than double the 897,406 recorded in 2022.
He added that over P263 billion in investments poured into the city in 2024—P10 billion more than in 2022—and that the number of registered businesses rose from 44,935 in 2022 to 46,964 in 2024.
The vice mayor also reaffirmed that Davao remains both insurgency-free and debt-free.
“Prudent use of the people’s money has enabled us to strengthen our emergency response, embrace digitalization, and enhance education and health services. These initiatives reflect our commitment to returning public funds—sourced from Dabawenyos—back to Dabawenyos through visible and meaningful projects,” he said.
Duterte emphasized that maintaining this momentum requires collective effort.
“From this day forward, everything we do must promote socio-economic growth and improve the quality of life for all. As we open the 21st Davao City Council, we will prioritize legislation focused on health, peace and order, housing, food security, and digitalization,” he said.
He concluded by highlighting the city government’s educational priorities, including a substantial budget allocation for expanded scholarships and new learning facilities.
“We must invest in our future by educating our children today. Let it be clear: we will protect Davao City. Now, we turn our focus to the work ahead,” he said.
