The City

Commonly referred to as the "Gateway to Mindanao" and the East Asean areas, Davao City has an area of 244,000 hectares. It is strategically located in the southeastern portion of Mindanao, making it the "Gateway to the East ASEAN Region". With its vast land area complimented with rich agricultural, marine and mineral resources, Davao City plays the role of an economic catalyst for the entire region XI and the rest of Mindanao.

The city is within the province of Davao del Sur, which is bounded by Davao del Norte to the north, on its south is the Celebes Sea, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat ; South Cotabato surrounds it in the west, and Davao Gulf in the east. The province is composed of sandy beaches and islands ; agricultural plants and valleys ; rainforest ; swamps ; rolling hills and mountains.

Davao is expected to play a crucial role in the development of the region. Today, it serves as a vital link to the 15 million consumer market in Mindanao and the combined 39 million strong consumer markets of Brunei, Central Sulawesi, East kalimantan, Maluku, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Labuan, Sabah, Sarawak and Mindanao. Its strategic location, advantages in advanced technology, infrastructure, communication facilities, ports and the immediate availability of skilled manpower market make it as suitable and logical choice as a major player in the formation of the "East Asean Growth Polygon".

Davao is the City of blooms. This economic, political and cultural center of rich and promising Mindanao is not merely about bountiful harvest of wild flowers and fruits.

The big city speaks of a mystical charm and understated elegance that springs from 244,000 hectares of mother nature’s best treasures ; wealth of history and culture ; sufficient modern amenities for he leisure-seeking visitors ; abundance of business potentials; more than a million and a half Davaoenos and an all-year people-friendly weather.

Known to the world over as the world/s biggest city in terms of land area, Davao City is reputed to be the premier city of Mindanao. And lying in the central part of Region XI, Davao City is in the heart of a formidable economic partnership called the BIP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) that will link Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia, East and West Kalimantan and North Sulawesi in Indonesia, Brunei and Mindanao in Southern Philippines. Visible in this promising city of Mindanao is the accelerated development as evidenced by the booming countryside and the influx of investments. Considered as one vital component in the economic development of the city - is the DAVAO PORT located at Sasa, some ten (10) kilometers away from the main thoroughfare.

The Port of Davao, hand in hand with the economic progress of Davao City, is one of the major ports of the country. Its strategic location and its potential major transshipment point and load center for foreign containers and other cargoes, contributed to Davao’s economic progress.

For years, trade and industry proved to be a dynamic sector of growth in Davao City. To sustain this growth, current efforts undertaken in the city are geared towards its development as a leading trade and industry center in Region XI and in the entire southern Philippines. The long-term vision is to establish Davao City as an international trade center ; the gateway to the southern pacific and the world down under.

DAVAO IS 15^TH BEST CITY IN ASIA

The Mindanao Daily Mirror - Dec. 11, 1998

Despite an increase in crime volume this year, and the economic slowdown, Davao City remains one of Asia’s best cities and is ranked number 15 in the latest Asiaweek Quality of Life Index on Asia’s 40 key cities.

Davao is one of the major cities in the Philippines ranked along with the cities of Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Singapore, Taipei, Georgetown, Hongkong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Kuching, Macau, Shanghai, Cebu City, Kaoshiung, Matro Manila, Pusan Seoul, Bangkok, Jakarta, Chiang Mai.

Davao City got an average score of 54 based on 24 indicators which have an impact on the livability of a metropolis.

The city also made it to Asia’s Most Livable Cities in the same survey last year.

According to Asiaweek, each indicator carries a different score according to its weight in the category.

Asiaweek said the survey polled 40 selected cities in Asia, including all major capitals. The main factors cover economic opportunity, quality of education, environment and sanitation, health care, transportation, personal security, housing cost and leisure.