DAVAO… ALWAYS AT ITS BEST

Davao, today, is experiencing what it always has dreamt of. Throngs of visitors and tourists , both domestic and foreign , strolling in the peaceful streets of the city and enjoying every minute of it. The sales of the malls as well as the smaller stores and boutiques are a record high. The vendors selling candies and cigarettes, the taxi and jeepney drivers, the fruit stalls- all of them smiling from ear to ear because business is just too good!

This is the Davao that we all want. All the different sectors , had worked so hard, not only today, but as well as in the past years, so that we can continue to move forward to sustain peace and development in the city. We were never bothered by the often-times mistaken perception of others about our city- we continued to focus and strive harder to achieve our vision . And now all of our collective labor is starting to pay off .

What a good way to start the year ! The Chinese believes that if you start the year right.. the rest of the year will be “more than just right” The Asean Tourism Forum which started last week will be a big boost to our tourism industry. The event will surely put the name of our city in the minds of every tourist seeking for a destination that will provide him with a perfect blend of the rural and urban /metropolitan attractions and amenities.

I am now in Seoul, Korea for a very important business trip and the first greeting that I got from our partner here was “ How’s Davao ? The city must be so “noisy” now with that tourism event”. I told them that the city was “exploding” with activities and events and people running all over the streets. I am so proud of what is happening- more so because deep in my heart, I knew that what we are showing our visitors now is really what Davao is – with or without the big ASEAN event.

What we are projecting now to our thousands of guests , is not a “put on” or “ cosmetically enhanced”. For women, like me , these terminologies mean “artificial or something temporary” of which the main purpose is to “impress or to show something good or beautiful”.

Davao City, has and will always project the best of the city – the best of its people and attractions. People here are warm, friendly, kind and hospitable. This is the city where people take the time to greet each other with a smile, a kiss or a handshake ! Many of my friends from Manila would always comment that “ Davao is one big neighborhood” because everyone seems to know each other.

The business environment is conducive to those who want to invest here- the existence of a transparent governance leaves very little or no room for bureaucratic red tapes and corruption. Business transaction is virtually smooth and easy. The small and medium sized entrepreneurs will find the city a haven to make their money grow. The cost of real estate and manpower productivity continues to entice multi-national and big corporations to build their factories and plants here.

I am sure that all of our guests will go home taking a piece of Davao in their hearts. I can assure them that Davao will still be at its best and even better , when they return.