Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang expressed optimism on Tuesday that the newly completed Kingdome could give Davao City a major boost in attracting large-scale gatherings, visitors and business activity.
Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, authored a proposed resolution congratulating the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and its founder, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, on the completion of the massive facility along the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway.
The 75,000-seat Kingdome officially opened its doors on Tuesday, in time for KOJC’s 41st anniversary celebration, marking a major milestone for the religious organization while adding a major indoor venue to Davao City’s events landscape.
Dayanghirang said that beyond being an architectural landmark, the Kingdome has the potential to expand Davao City’s capacity to host major events while creating opportunities for businesses and workers in the local tourism and service sectors.
“Beyond its architecture, the Kingdome has the potential to bring people to Davao City and generate opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, tourism enterprises, retail establishments, workers and other local businesses,” Dayanghirang said.
He said the facility could strengthen Davao’s position as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), religious tourism, cultural activities and other major gatherings.
The proposed resolution cited the Kingdome’s substantial capacity and facilities, which could accommodate religious gatherings, conferences, conventions, cultural presentations, sporting events, concerts, exhibitions and other lawful activities, subject to applicable laws, permits, safety requirements and regulatory standards.
Dayanghirang said the facility’s potential impact goes beyond the events it can accommodate, as visitors and participants could generate economic activity across various sectors of the local economy.
The measure also seeks to formally recognize the Kingdome as a distinctive architectural landmark and emerging icon of Davao City, citing its extraordinary scale, distinctive design, expansive interior and prominent presence along one of the city’s major corridors.
“The Kingdome is a remarkable architectural and engineering undertaking that adds another distinctive feature to the evolving skyline of Davao City,” Dayanghirang said.
He said the development reflects the city’s continuing transformation as a major metropolitan center in Mindanao and its growing ability to accommodate ambitious developments and large-scale activities.
The resolution also acknowledges the collective effort behind the project, recognizing the architects, engineers, construction professionals, planners, builders, workers and other stakeholders who contributed to its realization.
“This is not just about the structure. It is also about the vision, expertise, hard work and dedication of the many people who made the Kingdome possible,” Dayanghirang said.
Dayanghirang also said the Kingdome adds to the evolving identity and urban landscape of Davao City.
“Davao City continues to evolve, and developments such as the Kingdome become part of that story. It can contribute to our city’s identity, tourism landscape and capacity to host significant gatherings,” he said.
The proposed resolution emphasizes that the recognition is based on the Kingdome’s architectural and engineering achievement, visual prominence and potential contribution to tourism, economic activity, cultural life and major gatherings.
It likewise recognizes the diversity of institutions, beliefs and communities that form part of Davao City’s social fabric.
Dayanghirang said the proposed recognition underscores how major developments can become part of Davao’s continuing story of growth while creating new spaces for gatherings and opportunities for the city’s tourism industry and local economy.
