Mayor Duterte creates Chinatown development council in Davao City

DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has signed an executive order that would create a Chinatown Development Council (CDC) here that would pave the way for the development of the Chinatown district here.

The body will be tasked to organize the development of the large expanse of Chinatown properties in the first district here.

Duterte’s order formally identifies the members of the council that will include private sector representatives to "develop general directions for interaction among government agendas and stakeholders."

The other functions of the body include policymaking, alongside local government.

The CDC was first mandated through an ordinance passed in 2003 and amended in 2010.

The Mayor sits as chair of the body, with the City Council committee on tourism and beautification acting as the vice-chairman.

The members of the body include representatives from the City Tourism Operations Office (secretary), City Planning and Development Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office of the City Engineer, Davao City Police Office, and barangay representatives of Brgy 27C and 30C.

The EO also names eight members from the private sector, namely Jasper Huang, Susabel Reta, Beatrice Go, Nancy King Oro, Severino Herrera, Jr., Steve Arquiza, Benedicto Lim, Jr., and James Lao.

The CDC will “plan, conceptualize and draft the Davao City Chinatown Development Plan in the context of ensuring the sustainable development of Chinatown,” among others. (Yas D. Ocampo)