To understand a person, you must learn about the social and political context that he is from. No person exists in a vacuum. His character traits and attitude in life are defined by his family upbringing, cultural background, and the ideals with which his mind is formed. As individuals, we have aspirations and ideals that shape our frame of consciousness. As a society, people are influenced by religious and moral values that determine how we act in the greater scheme of things through the various facets of our human existence.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Baste Duterte is a young man in whose hands depend the future of a highly urbanized city that is facing tremendous challenges as the economy opens and tries to recover from the Covid-19 Pandemic. Davao City is the heart of Mindanao. After President Rodrigo Duterte was elected as the county’s 16th president, the attention shifted from then imperial Manila to this bustling metropolis of 1.78 million.
The key to urban development is the concept of sustainability. This is about the balance between economic progress and environmental protection. The basic point is to continue that type of growth trajectory that sustains the daily life of the people in the midst of a peaceful society that is open to diversity, provides equal opportunities to people, and empowers all members of the community.
The young mayor is aware of the importance of sustainable progress and believes that the culture of security in the city is critical to maintain its growth path. To achieve this, he knows and values of the contributions of various stakeholders. An important aspect is in the field of education. In one conversation, I encouraged him to expand the role of the newly established Davao City College, redirect it into becoming a university, and make it oriented towards the future.
While we are aware that local colleges and universities are meant to serve the poor, it must also become a catalyst for the economic advancement of the metropolis. Davao City has a thriving business process outsourcing industry and for this reason, the locally funded college can offer courses that will not only produce professionals, but also entrepreneurs who will be drivers of growth and business expansion. It should also be global in terms of linkages and programs. The young mayor agreed.
Futures Thinking advocate Dr. Rec Eguia of the University of Southeastern Philippines, in many of his lectures and talks, has zeroed in on the impact of good governance in helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The young mayor can take advantage of his expertise and realize a Futures Thinking-oriented direction for the city. As the city advances, it must be able to meet the vast demands of a growing population. Cities are drivers of economic growth, but managing the same also requires huge resources and improved government services.
Developed cities have efficient mass transport systems. Mayor Baste is aware of the present mass transport woes in the city, something that I pointed out in our conversation. This is especially so since the city is a center of education and commerce in the region. He said that his administration is working on the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), which is meant to provide the people with a modern means of mobility. The National Economic Development Authority has endorsed the project.
One of the notable assets of the young mayor is his youth and dynamism. Being a political science graduate, he understands the systemic problems in the country. Mayor Baste possesses the idealism of youth, like many of his young constituents. He knows, however, that there is a mission that needs to be accomplished and that the youth must have good and intelligent leaders to guide them in the future.
The ascent to Malacanang of President Duterte was historic. Under this legacy, Mayor Baste is out there to do his job. The young mayor is a politician who is part of the present generation – diverse in terms of values, outgoing, tech-savvy, socially aware, and quite uncomfortable with our historical past. He is committed to his mandate and knows what needs to be transformed as we move forward into the future.
