Davao City

Davao City
Dakbayan sa Dabaw
Lungsod ng Dabaw
—  City  —
Skyline of Davao City at night.

Seal
Motto: "Love, Peace and Progress.","Island to Highlands"
Map of Davao City and the province of Davao del Sur
Davao City is located in Philippines
Davao City
Map of Davao City and the province of Davao del Sur
Coordinates:
Country Philippines
Region Davao Region (Region XI)
Province None
Districts 1st to 3rd Districts of Davao City
Barangays 184
Incorporated (town) 1848
Incorporated (city) March 16, 1936
Government
 - Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio (LP/Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod)
 - Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (LP/Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod)
Area
 - Total 2,444 km2 (943.6 sq mi)
Elevation 22.3 m (73 ft)
Population (2007)
 - Total 1,363,337 as of August 1, 2,007 (CENSUS)
 - Density 558/km2 (1,445.2/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Area code(s) 082
Website www.davaocity.gov.ph

The City of Davao (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Dabaw; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dabaw) is the largest and de facto capital city located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is also one of the Philippines' most progressive cities. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the southern part of the Philippines.

Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. The city serves as the regional center for Davao Region (Region XI). It has a population of 1,363,330 (2007 census) and is named by the Foreign Direct Investment Magazine as the 10th "Asian City of the Future".[1] In recent years, Davao City has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire southern Philippines. The city boasts of some of the finest beaches and mountain resorts in the country and its proximity to the Philippines' most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mount Apo.

Contents

History

Local historians of Davao claim that the word davao came from the phonetic blending of the word of three Bagobo subgroups when referring to Davao River, an essential waterway which empties itself into Davao Gulf near the city. The aboriginal Obos who inhabit the hinterlands of the region called the river, Davoh; the Clatta or Guiangans called it Duhwow, or Davau, and the Tagabawa Bagobos, Dabu. To the Obos, the word davoh also means a place "beyond the high grounds", alluding to the settlements located at the mouth of Davao River which were surrounded by high rolling hills. When asked where they were going, the usual reply is davoh, while pointing towards the direction of the town. Duhwow also refers to a trading settlement where they barter their forest goods in exchange for salt or other commodities.

Spanish influence was hardly felt in the Davao until 1848, when an expedition led by Don Jose Uyanguren came to establish a Christian settlement in an area of mangrove swamps that is now Bolton Riverside. Davao was then ruled by a chieftain, Datu Bago, who held his settlement at the banks of Davao River (once called Tagloc River by the Bagobos). After Uyanguren defeated Datu Bago, he renamed the region Nueva Guipúzcoa, in honor of his home in Spain, and became its first governor. Uyanguren's efforts to develop the area, however, did not prosper.

A few years after the American forces landed in 1900, private farm ownership grew and transportation and communication facilities were improved, thus paving the way for the region's economic growth.

A Japanese entrepreneur named Kichisaburo Ohta was granted permission to exploit vast territories which he transformed into abacá and coconut plantations. The first wave of Japanese plantation workers came onto its shores in 1903, creating a Little Japan. They had their own school, newspapers, an embassy, and even a Shinto Shrine. On the whole, they established extensive abaca plantations around the shores of Davao Gulf and developed large-scale commercial interests such as copra, timber, fishing and import-export trading. Filipinos learned the techniques of improved cultivation from the Japanese so that ultimately, agriculture became the lifeblood of the province's economic prosperity.

Because of the increasing influence of the Japanese in the trade and economy of region, on March 16, 1936, Romualdo Quimpo, the congressman from Davao filed Bill no. 609 and was subsequently passed as Commonwealth Act no. 51 creating the City of Davao from the Town of Davao (Mayo) and the Guianga District. The bill further called for appointments of the local officials from the President.[2]

Davao was formally inaugurated as a chartered city on October 16, 1936, by President Manuel L. Quezon.The City of Davao then became the provincial capital of the then undivided Davao Province.

On December 8, 1941 Japanese planes bombed the city. Japanese occupation started in 1942.

In 1945, American and the Philippine Commonwealth forces liberated Davao City from Japanese forces.

Thirty years later, in 1967, the Province of Davao was subdivided into three independent provinces, namely Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. The City of Davao was grouped with Davao del Sur and was no longer the capital. However, it became a center of trade for Southern Mindanao. Over the years, Davao has become an ethnic melting pot as it continues to draw migrants from all over the country, lured by the prospects of striking it rich in the country's third largest city.

In 1970's to present, Davao became the Regional Capital of Southern Mindanao and with the recent reorganization, became the regional capital of the Davao Region (Region XI).

Culture and heritage

The weeklong Kadayawan Festival, is dubbed as the festival of all festivals.

Easy assimilation is an integral essence of multi-cultural Davao. Being a chartered city, it has grown appreciating differences in culture and tradition by numerous ethnic groups that integrated easily to the local tribes already present during its infancy as a city.

Like most cities in the Philippines, Catholics largely populate Davao. Christian churches and chapels dot the city's landscape along with some temples, mosques, and other places of worship.

Another Spanish influence that remains up to this day is the observance and celebration of barrios (or villages) of the day of their respective patron saint called "Fiesta". It is in these celebrations wherein songs, dances and other forms of arts and merrymaking from various cultures have evolved creatively into the sights and sounds of Davao now. Such showcases point to its ultimate climax as the celebration of all celebrations - the weeklong Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival.

Geography

Mt. Apo overlooks Davao City

.

The land area of Davao City is 2,443.61 square kilometers. It is divided into 3 congressional districts, which are further divided into 11 administrative districts containing a total of 184 barangays. Almost 50% of its total land area is classified as timberland or forest. Agriculture utilizes about 43%. This is reflective of the fact that agriculture is still the largest economic sector. Big plantations that produce banana, pineapple, coffee, and coconut eat up a large chunk of the total land area.

Location

Davao City is approximately 588 statute miles southeast of Manila.

Traveling by sea, its location from Manila and Cebu is 971 and 593 nautical miles (1,098 km) respectively.

Presently, built-up areas used for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial purposes represent about 10% of the total land area. Under the approved land use plan built-up and settlement area will cover 15% of the total area while agricultural will be maximized with 67.19%. The remaining 17.68 will be devoted to forestry and conservation.

Climate

Davao City is typhoon-free due to its location. Tropical storms and tidal waves are blocked by a peninsula. The city enjoys a weather that remains balmy all year round. It is characterized by a uniform distribution of rainfall, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. It has no pronounced wet or dry season. Weather predictability makes it highly conducive to agricultural production. Temperature ranges from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius and average rainfall is up to 2,000 mm yearly.

Language

Cebuano language is the most widely spoken language in the city, while Tagalog comes a distant second. though, a local "dabawenyo" dialect is also spoken by a few.

Bisaloglish, an informal mixing of the above languages, is spoken as well. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely understood and spoken especially in the business community and for all official documents. Other notable languages are Hiligaynon and Ilocano

A local Spanish based creole, Chavacano, a treasure of the cultural heritage from the Spanish era, is also spoken by immigrants from Cotabato and Zamboanga.

Religion

The most dominant group is the Roman Catholic at 80%, other Christian groups comprise 18% such as Protestant churches (Evangelicals, Born Again, Ang Dating Daan), and the remaining 1.17% belongs to other non-Christian faiths (Islam)

Accessibility

Davao City is very accessible and is the gateway to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA.

By land

You will find roaming around the city streets accessible by the number of buses, jeepneys, multicabs, cabs (taxi) that run the city streets. Getting your way around Davao City is never a problem with the mode of transportation available.

Davao City also offers a wide bus network connection to major cities and provinces, not only in Mindanao but even as far as Manila and Pasay City in Luzon. Davao City is connected to Manila by a series of roll on roll off or inter-island ferry connection. You can reach Davao City by bus to and from all of the cities in Mindanao like Cotabato, Kidapawan, Digos, General Santos, Koronadal, Isulan, Tacurong, Tagum, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Butuan, Cebu City and Pasay City in Manila.

By sea

The city is also served by passenger ferries throughout the Philippines at Sasa Wharf and Sta. Ana Wharf.

By air

Silk Air Airbus 320 on Davao International Airport

.

Davao City has direct flights to major cities in the Philippines and some Asian Cities. Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport) is currently being served by the following airline carriers:

Economy

Davao City view from air.

Davao City is the premier City and hub of Mindanao.It is a "Crown Jewel" of Mindanao in terms of economic activity. It is the most important economy in the island and the third most important urban center in the Philippines.

Like the rest of the country, Davao City operates on an economic system that is market-oriented, although pricing mechanisms remain regulated in a few sectors (particularly on basic commodities) to protect consumers. The competitiveness of the market has been enhanced through the dismantling of protection for "infant industries" and the breakdown of industries with monopolistic or cartel tendencies.

On the international front, the economy has been opened to global competition, through a tariff, private investments has Davao City's economy is steadily growing in the last two decades. The City has shifted counting investments from millions in the '80s to billions in the '90s and pool of skilled workforce. With close to 1.5-Million people as primary market base, the city is conducive to business as evidenced by the presence of the country's top 200 companies. Inflow of investments has been remarkable in the last ten years. Export in the City is now a billion dollar industry with a growing niche market for its products. The stable banana and flourishing pineapple industries are among the country's leading export commodities. A net exporter since 1987, Davao City largely contributed in making the Philippines as the world's top exporter of papaya, mangosteen, and even flowers.

The productive linkages between established businesses and Davao City community reinforced the competitive quality of life in a city that has consistently maintained single digit inflation rate since 1993. Along with flourishing investments and exports, the low inflation rate serve as concrete illustration of the remarkable gains from Davao City's sustained competitiveness nurtured by high level of responsiveness of the local government which put priority focus in facilitating business-friendly initiatives and in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous environment.

Government

City Hall of Davao
The Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity with the Legislative Building in the background.

Unique to the local government set-up of the city is the designation of a deputy mayor by the city mayor. Although an appointed official only, the deputy mayor serves as a direct link to the city mayor, especially for people living outside the city proper. The deputy mayor also serves as the city mayor's representative in community events. The functions of the position are considered complementary to the functions of the city vice-mayor, given the large territorial jurisdiction of the city.

The city is politically subdivided into 184 barangays.

The present mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. The former Mayor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, now sits as vice mayor.

Davao City has 184 barangays with three legislative districts. As of the latest, Davao City will have a total of 948,428 registered voters expected to cast ballots for the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections. It has actually 6,124 polling precincts, but since this will be the first time the country will conduct its first automated elections using the latest technology called Precinct Count Optical Scan, precincts are clustered to 1,172. The City Government of Davao is now proposing to add two more Congressional Districts to better serve the ever-growing population.

Newly Elected Officials starting June 30, 2010 DAVAO CITY

House of Representatives

1st District

2nd District

3rd District

City Officials

Councilors:

  1. AVISADO, Wendel E. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  2. LIBRADO, Leah A. (Bayan Muna/Hugpong)
  3. IBUYAN, Edgar R. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  4. GALICIA , Emmanuel D. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  5. QUITAIN, J Melchor V. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  6. BONGUYAN, Joan Mae (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
  7. BRAGA, Pilar C. (NPC/Hugpong)
  8. ABELLERA, Nilo Jr. M. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  1. BONGUYAN , Louie John J. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  2. APOSTOL , Dante L. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  3. CABLING , Arnolfo R B. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  4. MONTEVERDE , Tomas Iv J. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  5. ALEJANDRE , Alryan S. (NPC/Hugpong)
  6. DAYAP, April Marie C. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  7. DUREZA, Jimmy (Liberal/Hugpong)
  8. SALVADOR- ABELLA, Marissa P. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  1. BELLO, Karlo S. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  2. ZOZOBRADO , Rachel P. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)
  3. DALODO-ORTIZ, Myrna G. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  4. AL-AG, Bernard E. (Liberal/Hugpong)
  5. VILLAFUERTE, Jose Louie (NPC/Hugpong)
  6. LOPEZ, Rene Elias C. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
  7. BALURAN, Conrado G. (NPC/Hugpong)
  8. ADVINCULA, Victorio Jr. (PDP-LABAN/Hugpong)

Legislative Districts of Davao City

District Sub-District
(# of Barangays)		 Population
(as of 2007)		 Barangays
First Poblacion (40) 153,005
  • 1-A
  • 2-A
  • 3-A
  • 4-A
  • 5-A
  • 6-A
  • 7-A
  • 8-A
  • 9-A
  • 10-A
  • 11-B
  • 12-B
  • 13-B
  • 14-B
  • 15-B
  • 16-B
  • 17-B
  • 18-B
  • 19-B
  • 20-B
  • 21-C
  • 22-C
  • 23-C
  • 24-C
  • 25-C
  • 26-C
  • 27-C
  • 28-C
  • 29-C
  • 30-C
  • 31-D
  • 32-D
  • 33-D
  • 34-D
  • 35-D
  • 36-D
  • 37-D
  • 38-D
  • 39-D
  • 40-D
Talomo (16) 360,010
  • Bago Aplaya
  • Bago Gallera
  • Baliok
  • Bangkal
  • Bucana
  • Catalunan Grande
  • Catalunan Pequeño
  • Dumoy
  • Langub
  • Ma-a
  • Magtuod
  • Matina Aplaya
  • Matina Crossing
  • Matina Pangi
  • Talomo Proper
  • Ulas
Second Agdao (11) 98,586
  • Agdao Proper
  • Centro (San Juan)
  • Gov. Paciano Bangoy
  • Gov. Vicente Duterte
  • Kap. Tomas Monteverde, Sr.
  • Lapu-Lapu
  • Leon Garcia
  • Rafael Castillo
  • San Antonio
  • Ubalde
  • Wilfredo Aquino
Buhangin (13) 232, 865
  • Acacia
  • Alfonso Angliongto Sr.a
  • Buhangin Proper
  • Cabantian
  • Callawa
  • Communal
  • Indangan
  • Mandug
  • Pampanga
  • Sasa
  • Tigatto
  • Vicente Hizon Sr.a
  • Waan
Bunawan (9) 123,767
  • Alejandra Navarro (Lasang)
  • Bunawan Proper
  • Gatungan
  • Ilang
  • Mahayag
  • Mudiang
  • Panacan
  • San Isidro (Licanan)
  • Tibungco
Paquibato (13) 38,266
  • Colosas
  • Fatima (Benowang)
  • Lumiad
  • Mabuhay
  • Malabog
  • Mapula
  • Panalum
  • Pandaitan
  • Paquibato Proper
  • Paradise Embak
  • Salapawan
  • Sumimao
  • Tapak
Third Baguio (8) 27,255
  • Baguio Proper
  • Cadalian
  • Carmen
  • Gumalang
  • Malagos
  • Tambubong
  • Tawan-Tawan
  • Wines
Calinan (19) 76,024
  • Biao Joaquin
  • Calinan Proper
  • Cawayan
  • Dacudao
  • Dalagdag
  • Dominga
  • Inayangan
  • Lacson
  • Lamanan
  • Lampianao
  • Megkawayan
  • Pangyan
  • Riverside
  • Saloy
  • Sirib
  • Subasta
  • Talomo River
  • Tamayong
  • Wangan
Marilog (12) 42,718
  • Baganihan
  • Bantol
  • Buda
  • Dalag
  • Datu Salumay
  • Gumitan
  • Magsaysay
  • Malamba
  • Marilog Proper
  • Salaysay
  • Suawan (Tuli)
  • Tamugan
Toril (25) 125,978
  • Alambre
  • Atan-Awe
  • Bangkas Heights
  • Baracatan
  • Bato
  • Bayabas
  • Binugao
  • Camansi
  • Catigan
  • Crossing Bayabas
  • Daliao
  • Daliaon Plantation
  • Eden
  • Kilate
  • Lizada
  • Lubogan
  • Marapangi
  • Mulig
  • Sibulan
  • Sirawan
  • Tagluno
  • Tagurano
  • Tibuloy
  • Toril Proper
  • Tungkalan
Tugbok (18) 83,863
  • Angalan
  • Bago Oshiro
  • Balengaeng
  • Biao Escuela
  • Biao Guianga
  • Los Amigos
  • Manambulan
  • Manuel Guianga
  • Matina Biao
  • Mintal
  • New Carmen
  • New Valencia
  • Santo Niño
  • Tacunan
  • Tagakpan
  • Talandang
  • Tugbok Proper
  • Ulas

aCreated into separate barangays under Sangguniang Panlungsod Ordinance No. 16103, ratified on July 25, 2004; taken from Barangay Pampanga.

Security and Civil Defense

The city government has invested millions of pesos to ensure the security of people living and working in Davao City. Aside from the usual forces of the Philippine National Police, a special military task force has been formed to insulate the city from terrorist attacks and other forms of criminality. The Task Force Davao, as it is named, is affiliated with the Philippine Army and is headed by an army colonel.

The city government also maintains a 24-hour emergency response system patterned after the 9-1-1 system used in the United States. People can dial the 911 number to report emergencies and criminal incidents (except for Globe land line subscribers).

A curfew on minors is also observed in the city. All business establishments, in particular bars and discos, are mandated by a city ordinance to refrain from selling alcoholic drinks beyond 2:00 am. Also, motorcycle drivers with no helmets and motorists with defective lights are not allowed to enter or drive in the city. Regular checkpoints in key parts of Davao City and at the city boundaries are conducted 24 hours to ensure the strict implementation of traffic rules.

The use of fireworks and other similar pyrotechnics, as well as smoking, is strictly prohibited in most of the city. Even outdoors, if you are under a roof of any kind, you are prohibited from smoking. Violators are made to pay hefty fines, perform community service, serve jail time, or a combination of the three. Littering is also prohibited.

Foreign relations

The influx of foreign visitors and the presence of expatriates and migrants in the city have prompted the governments of Japan, Palau, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United States to open consular offices in the city. An honorary consulate of the European country of Czech Republic was also established in the City. [3]

The US Embassy in the Philippines opened a virtual consulate where inquiries regarding visa issuances, foreign relations concerns and travel to the United States can be made on the Internet by e-mail and chat. The virtual consulate website [1] is maintained in coordination with Ateneo de Davao University, University of Mindanao, University of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Cross of Davao College and AMA Computer College.

Physical Infrastructure

The presence of basic infrastructure within the city such as airport, seaports, roads, bridges, telecommunications, condominiums, malls and first class hotels has sustained the economic growth in the last 10 years. Due to the city's unprecedented growth, a clamor for higher capacity infrastructures resulted to a number of modernization projects now ongoing to meet the demands of the new millennium.

Airport

The Davao International Airport's Air Traffic Control Tower, is considered as the most advanced ATCs in the Philippines.[4]

The Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport) is the busiest airport in Mindanao. Expansion and modernization began in 1998. Today, the new DIA (opened in December 2003) has begun accommodating larger jets such as the Boeing 747, the Airbus A330 and the Airbus A340.

Roads and bridges

Construction of more roads and bridges are also underway. The construction of the City's third major road - the Buhangin underpass was completed in the 1st quarter of 2003. A Traffic Management and Computerization Scheme was also implemented. The traffic lights in the city is considered as the most modern in Asia.[5] Davao City is ranked no. 5 among cities in Asia with better traffic flow based on vehicles per kilometer of city road. The DPWH is also preparing the Master plan for the Expressway Tagum City - Davao City - General Santos City.

Seaports

The Port of Davao has two government seaports Sasa International Wharf and Sta. Ana Domestic Wharf and 9 privately owned ports. In addition, the Toril International Fish Port Complex accommodates small and large-scale fishing activities as well as provide among others cold-storage facilities.

Telecommunications

Communication links within the key business areas are adequate. With the deregulation and privatization policies of the Philippine government, the number of telecommunications player is projected to increase as well as offer affordable telecommunications services to subscribers/clienteles.

Leading telecommunications companies put facilities in Davao City paving clear connections from and to various destinations in the Philippines and all over the world. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (Bayantel), Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular operate vital transmission towers in the city.

Internet service providers

There are six Internet Service Providers operating in Davao City offering dial-up, dedicated and DSL types of service. The City has over a hundred Internet cafés operating in strategic areas where one can surf, chat, play games, send and view e-mails, and engage in e-commerce using the latest computer innovation and technology.And soon new service provider Sulubit.

Existing and Proposed Malls

SM City Davao.
Name Address Floor area (m²)
NCCC Mall Davao MacArthur Highway, Davao City, 86,800 m² (gross)
NCCC Main Magsaysay Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City
NCCC Centerpoint (November 2006) (formerly Centro Supermart) Matina Crossing, Davao City
NCCC Mall Lanang (Proposed) Lanang, Davao City
Chimes Shopping Center Gov. Sales St., Davao City
Victoria Plaza Mall J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City
Gaisano Mall of Davao J.P.laurel, Bajada, Davao City
Gaisano South Citimall Ilustre Street, Davao City
SM City Davao Quimpo Boulevard cor. Tulip Drive Ecoland Subd, Davao City 75,440 m² (gross)
SM City North Davao/SM City Lanang (Proposed) Damosa, Lanang Country Club, Davao City 175000sq.m (gross)
Abreeza (Under Construction) J.P Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City 94.000 sq.m(gross)
Robinsons Cybergate Davao Lanang, Davao City 120sq.m(gross)

Future developments

In recent years, Davao City maintained its competitiveness and now attracts big business and investments.Today, negotiations and constructions are going on to put up a project here in the city. The Ayala Land and Anflocor made a venture to build Abreeza, a P5 billion mall. It will have a 3-storey shopping mall and 2 Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and a future hotel, residential and commercial lots.[6]

On the other hand, Four BPOs eye Davao for expansion. Four business process outsourcing (BPO) companies have trained their staff in their training facilities located in the city.

Tourism

Davao City is a romantic young city in the Philippines. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Asia. It is cosmopolitan and metro lifestyle.

Tourist Spots

Davao Crocodile Park
People's park at Davao City.
GAP Farming Orchard Resort
The endangered Philippine Eagle, is taken care of at Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City

Socio-cultural Environment

Health and Hospital

Davao Medical Center

The average life expectancy of Davaoeños is 70 for females and 65 for males. There are about 31 hospitals with a total of 1,963 beds in Davao City. Very affordable medical services are made available to poor residents through the Southern Philippines Medical Center, which has the most hospitals beds at 1,200.

On the other hand, hospitals such as the Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Ricardo Limso Medical Center, and Davao Medical Center now known as the Southern Philippines Medical Center are training hospitals that also offer specialized medical care services. Davao Regional Hospital in neighboring Tagum City, also offers the same quality specialized physician training and health services.

Psychiatric hospitals, psychotherapy clinics and counselling centers are also found in the city, directed and manned by internationally-trained counselors, psychologists, psychometricians and psychiatrists.

In Davao City, there are currently six large tertiary hospitals: Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital, Ricardo Limso Medical Center, and Davao Medical Center.

Education

Davao City is the education hub in Mindanao.The University of the Immaculate Conception (formerly Immaculate Conception College) is the first Catholic school in the island of Mindanao founded in 1905 by the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary Sisters (RVM)

The Ateneo de Davao University

The government provides free education at the primary (grade school) and secondary (high school) levels. Government scholars from all over the region enjoy free college education in state-run universities such as the University of the Philippines, Mindanao[2] and the University of Southeastern Philippines. The literacy rate of the country is 93.9%. Davao City has a literacy rate of 98.05%.

Among the most popular tertiary schools located in Davao City are University of the Philippines - Mindanao, Ateneo de Davao University, University of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Cross of Davao College, San Pedro College, University of Mindanao, Davao Doctors College,Brokenshire College, Philippine Women's College of Davao, and University of Southeastern Philippines. Other schools in the city are Davao Central College, Inc., St. Peter's College of Toril run by the congregation of the Presentation of Mary Sisters, Assumption College of Davao run the Missionaries of the Assumption, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (or Mindanao International College), Stella Maris Academy of Davao (SMAD) run by the Hijas de Jesus, Holy Child School of Davao (HCSD), Philippine Academy of Sakya, Davao Christian High School, Davao Central High School, Rizal Special Education Learning Center, Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA), MATS College of Technology, John Paul II College, AMA Computer College-Davao Campus , STI College of Davao, Rizal Memorial College, "Jose Maria College" run by the church founded by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy', and Rogationist Academy - Davao run by the congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus.

The Davao Medical School Foundation also is the oldest medical school in Mindanao and is ranked 5th Best Medical School in the Philippines. As of the last Philippine Physician Licensure Exam held in 2008 and released in February 2009, the DMSF College of Medicine garnered an overall 81% passing, 88% among its first time takers as against the national passing average of 64%.

Many religious organizations established their schools of theology for the formation of their pastors, ministers and priests. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao has their Saint Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary and the Saint Francis Xavier College Seminary. The United Church of the Philippines has its UCCP Pag-asa School of Theology. The Baptist churches established their own, the Southern Philippines Baptist Theological Seminary, Inc. and the General Baptist Bible College. Other fundamental churches have Christian Colleges of Southeast Asia Foundation located in Tulip Drive cor. Quimpo Blvd., Juna Subdivision, Davao City and the Mindanao Christian Foundation College and Seminary, Inc.

The city has contributed much to the Southern Mindanao's ever increasing pool of masters and doctorate degree holders helping the city gain the distinction of having one of the highest numbers of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) graduates in the region.

The city is considered the Center for Learning and Education in Southern Philippines. Currently, it has 374 elementary schools, 65 secondary schools including the Philippine Science High School- Southern Mindanao Campus which is one of the most premiere A-1 schools in the Asian Region, and 46 colleges and universities.

Media

Davao City, having over a million night-time population and an estimated 4 million day-time population is home to many media outlets. Large media networks maintain their respective local stations and branches for viewership, commercial and news coverage purposes. Most of these stations broadcast local news and public affairs as well as entertainment and dramas to cater the local viewers.

The television stations and their local frequency assignments are as following:

Moreover, there are cable television operations in the city offering for a fee worldwide array of television stations for news, sports, science and technology, movies and documentaries, history and natural sciences, action and sci-fi, lifestyle and fashion, cartoons and children's shows, entertainment and showbiz-oriented programs and more.

Aside from the 24 national daily newspapers available, Davao City also has 20 local newspapers. Among the widely-read are the Sun Star Davao, Mindanao Times.

There are 15 AM-band radio stations in Davao City.

Davao City is enjoying a very large variety of FM-band radio stations. There are 19 FM stations in the city listened by over a million population extended to over 6 million listeners in Southern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Caraga Region, South-Central Mindanao or Socksragen and to as far as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. These numbers reflect the extent of press freedom being enjoyed by the print and broadcast media as well as the provision of wide range of choice for residents and visitors alike.

AM radio stations

FM radio stations

Sister cities

There are 8 sister cities in Davao as designated in Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

Friendship Cities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Asian Cities of the Future 2007/08"
  2. ↑ Davao, Reconstructing history from text to memory, Macario Tiu, author, Ateneo de Davao publisher 2005
  3. ↑ "About the Embassy | Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila". Mzv.cz. http://www.mzv.cz/manila/en/about_the_embassy/index.html. Retrieved 2010-09-07. 
  4. ↑ "Upgraded Davao City International Airport Is Ready for More Passengers and Bigger Aircraft"
  5. ↑ "Davao's new traffic system is "Asia's most modern"
  6. ↑ "Abreeza — Davao's own Greenbelt"
  7. ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, P72-M People's Park opens in Davao City oh yeah
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Davao, Korean city to ink sister-city pact"

External links

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Cotabato Island Garden City of Samal
   Davao City    
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Component local government units of Davao del Sur
Municipalities: Bansalan • Don Marcelino • Hagonoy • Jose Abad Santos • Kiblawan • Magsaysay • Malalag • Malita • Matanao • Padada • Santa Cruz • Santa Maria • Sarangani • Sulop

Component City: Digos City 

Highly urbanized city: Davao City

(Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Davao del Sur by the National Statistics Office)
Leading population centers
Rank City Population Pop. Growth Rate Region
Manila
Metro Manila
Cebu
Cebu City
1 Quezon City 2,679,450 2.53% National Capital Region
2 Manila 1,660,714 0.03% National Capital Region
3 Caloocan 1,378,856 2.53% National Capital Region
4 Davao City 1,363,337 1.81% Davao Region
5 Cebu City 798,809 2.16% Central Visayas
6 Zamboanga City 774,407 3.54% Zamboanga Peninsula
7 Antipolo 633,971 5.22% CALABARZON
8 Pasig 617,301 2.29% National Capital Region
9 Taguig 613,343 4.07% National Capital Region
10 Valenzuela 568,928 2.23% National Capital Region
based on the Philippines 2007 Census