Prospects bright for Davao City in 2007

DAVAO CITY — Prospects have remained bright for Davao City as things continue to look up for this southern metropolis, considered to be the leading growth center in this part of the country.

This year, would be a brighter year for Davao City. It would spur further growth here with the developments we are seeing now, both in the private sector and even with the projects the local government is implementing for the city, City Administrator Wendel Avisado said.

Avisado said there is no stopping the city’s growth as more investors are coming into the city while tourists also continue to flock here.

But Avisado was also quick to point out that as much as possible Davao City should grow at the same time conscious of the environmental repercussions progress entails.

"We are doing our best to develop the city in such a way that we also take the necessary measures that the corresponding environmental concerns are also addressed," Avisado told The STAR.

He said investments continued to pour here and even just during the third quarter alone of 2006, Davao City registered a 16 percent increase in investments amounting to P1.747 billion compared to the P1.506 billion noted in the same period last year.

The infusion of new investments further boosted Davao City’s claim as the investment, commercial, tourism, medical and educational center of the south. It has been cited by the defunct Asiaweek, as one of the top 20 livable cities in Asia, even topping Cebu, the only other city included by the said magazine in the said list.

The continued increase in investments inflow has also been attributed to the development thrusts of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in making Davao the most peaceful city in the Philippines, thus, in turn an investment destination.

Duterte enjoys a resounding reputation for his no non-sense campaign against criminality which makes Davao City secure for investors, tourists and any other visitor here.