A city looked up by many

LIKE a seed sown, nourished and tended well by an iron-fisted leadership and strong cooperation of stakeholders, Davao City has transformed into a city looked up by all.

Since its establishment as a city, drastic changes took place during the administration of then mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte. From a city with massive security problems, Duterte was able to transform the city into a safe place through the years.

Under his administration, landmark ordinances were passed and infrastructure for security measures were initiated.

Women and children sector was also uplifted through various programs, attested by the grand slam award for child-friendly city in highly urbanized cities and of course the Seal of Good Local Governance award awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government in 2015.

The effect of the strong political will led to the following ordinances which ensure order in the citizenry.

These ordinances, among others, included speed limit, liquor ban, anti-smoking, firecracker ban, the comprehensive Davao City traffic code, tax code.

Apart from that, a legacy of the order for tight security measures was issued through Public Safety and Security Command Center which was adept with security cameras, and of course Central 911, a one call away emergency response was also built.

Through these efforts the city was tagged as one of the 9th most safest cities in 2015.

Those from different nearby areas chose to live and stay here in the city

which also paved the way to economic growth.

Being a melting pot of civilization, diversity has been the city's challenge ever since Duterte took over as the city's chief executive. It became an exhibit A of the current administration in different programs.

The city with its progress was not exempted from challenges of peace and order such as bombings which took place in the year 2003 and especially the latest in 2016.

The bombing on September 2, last year, took many lives. It was the first major challenge under the new term of Davao Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, who now holds the post as the city's chief executive.

With the tragedy, the strong support of the local government to the victims was highlighted. It also shown the ability of the city to bounce back as evidenced by the booming business of the night market a year after.

Curently, Davao City local officials are also yearning to a much stronger Davao, with residents who acknowledge the four icons of Davao, the Philippine Eagle, the Mt. Apo, the waling-waling, and the durian. Not just that but also the rich solidarity of 11 tribes (Bagobo-Klata, Sama, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Kagan, Tausug, Maguindanaoan, Ata, ObuManuvu, Matigsalug, Iranun, and Maranao), who also represent the inclusivity of Davao and its solidity in diversity, this is celebrated every Kadayawan Festival. In a commitment to retain and celebrate the blessings the city has included its 11 tribes and diverse culture, the city has successfully celebrated the 2017 Kadayawan despite the martial law declaration on May 23 this year.

With the Duterte Administration, in the national and local post, much infrastructure projects await the city now with bypass roads and Mindanao Railway project, a much more progress perceived and expected.

These priority projects, under administration which has utmost care of its residents, things are surely looking up for the city, a place filled with hope, the home of President of the Philippines and the new capital city of the south.