By Jade C. Zaldivar
In terms of growth, Davao City remains bullish according to a local official, saying in terms of ranking “we rival Cebu City.”
City Planning and Development Office head Robert Alabado said last June 7 the city showed continuous growth in 2011 and expects great gains in 2012.
“Currently we’re at par with Cebu in terms of growth, but kung ang paguusapan ay ang livability ng lugar talagang we’re up there,” Alabado said during the I-Speak media forum at the city hall.
“We’re doing fine. The city is doing well in terms of economic development, being an education hub in Mindanao, and also investments,” he added.
Alabado said the continuing preservation of natural resources has greatly contributed in making the city one of the most livable cities in the world.
“We have lower pollution here, we have ample hotels, malls, we have our forestry and natural resources intact, no mining, in general terms of livability talagang we’re a highly recommended most livable city in the world,” he said.
“Plus looking at our peace and order, although we remain affected by the negative impact brought about by some armed conflicts in Mindanao, the city has maintained a high number of tourist arrivals which in projects the city as a safe area fit for investments and leisure,” he added.
Development hub
Among the aspects cited by Alabado which spur the growth of Davao City is the presence of prestigious schools.
“Davao City is not just the educational hub of Mindanao, but it is also garnering the respect of foreign nationals, such as the influx of educational tourists from South Korea and India who come to enroll in our schools,” he said.
“ADDU (Ateneo de Davao University) and San Pedro College are having expansions. Indians who have graduated from the Davao Medical School Foundation garnered high results in international examinations, so don’t be surprised to see more Indians coming to Davao City,” he added.
The City Planning Office head also cited the high quality of Davao Doctors College medical graduates as being at par with international standards.
Alabado said Davao City, with its international airport sea port, is the busiest city in Mindanao.
“Davao City is becoming a leader in fulfilling the principles behind the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area) by connecting to these countries,” he said, adding that the city in recent years has been witnessing land development projects mushrooming into hotels, malls, and residential areas, hence should not be surprised if more investments come in.
“We’re we’re becoming a magnet for economic growth in the southern part of the Philippines. We can trade here. The local government is very supportive of investments by having perhaps the lowest cost in business registration in the country. And we are ready with human resource,” he said.
Alabado said the city’s BPO (business process outsourcing) industry continues to grow at the rate of 20% every year, which is the same as that of Cebu, also one of the highest BPO hubs in the country.
“What we’re currently experiencing, as you can see, there are more activities in the city, more investments, renewed urban living. Davao City has the most investment activity in Mindanao,” he said.
“We are at the stage wherein fast growth should be responded to accordingly by the local government through provision of social services. The administration is aware of all these and we’re determined to meet the demands of the time,” he added, baring the city’s plan to invest in a million-peso drainage plan which will add three main drainage canals in the city.
The plan will cost of P20 million per kilometer which the city is willing to spend, aware of its long-term benefits.
“We’re not looking at this as if we’re only going to use this once. These drainage canals are going to be kumbaga the main highways ng ating drainage system which will be huge,” he said
“It will serve the present and the next generation, so gagastos talaga tayo. The city is going to have to bite the bullet,” he added.
