The victory of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) was indeed unprecedented as practically all the candidates it has campaigned for won Senate seats, giving the president an unprecedented majority in the upper chamber. Add to that the fact that less than 30 opposition solons won in the lower house, and the supermajority is clear.
HNP served as the administration alliance putting together several political parties such as the Nacionalista Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, PDP Laban along with some independent candidates.
A few things are worth noting: Never has a regional party won a senate seat. Never has a regional party therefore played a pivotal role in a national election. Past regional parties such as the Pusyon Bisaya, Bicol Saro and the like functioned as local allies of national political parties, never campaigning beyond their home turf.
This makes HNPs victory a historic one.
Another historic outcome of these elections are the election of two senatos from the Davao region, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato del a Rosa. They will be the first since Alejandro Almendras last won in 1971, giving the politically important Davao region its rightful place in national governance.
This makes Davao the political capital of southern Philippines.
This also reflects the fact that the davao region is an economic powerhouse for the country. Its 8.6% growth is nothing to laugh at when you consider that Metro manila can only manage 4.9% and the country about 6%. This Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) mirrors impressive 3.5% unemployment, making any business grow. The growing Davao Skyline will be pepered with high rise buildings and sprawling commercial complexes providing venues for trade and employment.
There is a need to continue pushing tis growth. For this reason, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce has organized the Davao investment conference on June 20-21 at the SMX Convention Center. This hopes to bring even more delegates than the 2017 edition, and a higher interest in the Davao region as an investment destination in Southeast Asia. About a hundred foreign delegates are expected to meet up with local businesses to partner for growth.
Our airport needs to get ready
Successive events such as the Palarong Pambansa, Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Pharmacists Association, Youth For Christ International Conference and many other events saw popular venues booked months ahead.
This summer saw the heaviest use of our Davao International Airport. Often the check in area is full and so is the pre departure areas especially when flights are delayed.
Knowing this, we really need to expand our airport given the possible increase in local and international flights from Singapore and Hong Kong, a possible increase in flights from Jinjiang China and the coming flight from Doha Qatar. Other direct flights are being worked out.
