Why live in Davao City ?

There are a lot of worlds to enjoy and celebrate in Davao City on the island of Mindanao. Aside from being the country's melting pot of diverse cultures, the world's largest city offers a wide array of modern urban amenities such as shopping malls and an active night life that readily complement its accessible beaches and abundant supply of fresh seafood and fruits including the Exotic Durian. 

Location

Davao City is strategically located in Southeastern Philippines. It has air and sea linkages to major points of destination in the country and the rest of the world. Goods and people can also be transported by land via the Philippine-Japan Friendship highway. The new Davao International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Philippines with daily flights to major destinations in the country. Davao City also serves as your gateway to the sub-regional trade bloc known as the East ASEAN growth area with direct flights to Singapore and Indonesia. Modern infrastructure and facilities present in the City provide businessmen access to the 20 million market of Mindanao and the 56 million market of the BIMP-EAGA. 

PERFECT WEATHER 

The City is situated in a typhoon-free zone. The all-year round predictability of its tropical weather (sunshine by day and occasional rain showers by night) makes the place conducive for business, leisure, agriculture and other worthwhile activities.

 EFFICIENT PUBLIC UTILITIES 

Davao City has excellent public utilities that offer the best products and services. There is abundance in the supply of (piped) potable water. There is availability of Cost-efficient electricity through hydropower generation. 24-hours a day power is assured by the able distribution of Davao Light with the availability of a back-up generation plant. State-of-the-art telecommunications facilities connect its people to the rest of the world. Players in the telecommunications industry (phone companies, Internet Service Providers, Cable-TV, computer vendors) have continually offered new products, services and innovations to keep the people abreast with the latest and even ahead.

 REGIONAL CENTER OF PHILIPPINE SOUTH 

The City is host to regional centers and headquarters of government and private agencies whose scope of operational jurisdiction covers Southern Philippines or the island of Mindanao. This is the reason why many organizations consider the City as the de facto capital of Mindanao. It is considered as the financial center of the Mindanao Island with more than 1,200 institutions classified as banks, non-bank financing, and lending agencies. The City is also the center for learning, education, and trainings in Mindanao with 40 tertiary education institutions classified as universities (including the University of the Philippines-Mindanao), colleges, and technical schools that regularly supply the City of needed expertise and manpower.

 MOST PEACEFUL CITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 

Davao is one of the most peaceful cities in Asia with a monthly crime rate of 0.8 cases per 10,000 persons per month. Its Davao Police Office is a consistent top pick for the Country’s Best Police Office Award. The City has also established the 911 central communications and emergency response center in 2002 to lessen crime incidences as well as preserve lives and properties.

 COMPETITIVE COST OF DOING BUSINESS 

In Davao City, quality products and services do not necessarily equate to high cost. Almost everything of quality in Davao City costs cheaper compared to other major cities. Rates of public utilities, real estate, rentals for commercial spaces, accommodations, labor, raw materials, and other business related inputs are comparatively cheaper than other major cities in Asia. This factor is seen vital in achieving a healthy return on investments.

BEST PROFESSIONALS AND LABORERS 

The City is home to the best professionals and laborers in Southern Philippines. Its human resources are touted as competent, highly literate, English-speaking and very cost-effective. Davao is the biggest producer of engineers, computer programmers, medical practitioners, accountants, lawyers, and other skilled labor in the region.

 FRUIT BASKET OF THE COUNTRY 

Almost all kinds of fruits grow in abundance in the City. It is host to a lot of fruit plantations and it is famous for its exotic Durian. The City is one of the biggest exporters of banana in Asia. Other fresh produce includes delectable delights such as the pomelo, mango, mangosteen, rambutan, strawberry, lanzones, and pineapple among others. Aside from this edge, the City functions as the trade-off point of Mindanao’s high value crops.

 INVESTOR-FRIENDLY CITY 

Investors are well taken cared of in Davao City. Being the pioneer city in establishing an investment promotion center that provides free professional assistance including processing of applications for local fiscal incentives, the local government sees to it that investors are provided the red carpet in starting business as easy as possible. 

RESPONSIVE AND FORWARD-LOOKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

The City Government of Davao is very positive on developmental projects. Infrastructure modernizations such as international standard airport, roads, bridges, and seaports are being done in response to the present challenges of the new millennium. The City’s goals, thrusts, and programs are being guided by the fundamental principles of sustainable development. Under the Comprehensive Development Plan for 1996-2021, the City’s priorities are: peace and order; health; environment; education and social services; shelter; livelihood; infrastructure; agriculture and fishery development; investment and tourism; revenue enhancement; sports development; and good governance. 

                           Living in Davao City, Philippines

There are many compelling reasons why people choose Davao over any other place in Southeast Asia. As varied as the reasons and factors may be, still they all summed up to one thing- quality of life. 

The air is fresh. The city is clean and green. There is real abundance of the freshest harvests from the land and sea. To top it all, the quality of potable water is among the best in the world. 

Starting life in Davao is easy, convenient, affordable, and fulfilling. Real-estate prices are easy on the pocket. There is a wide array of housing packages from low-cost to prime residential estates. Rentals are inexpensive. Electricity, water, and phone lines are readily available. 

The City is being primed up to serve as the health and medical care center of the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA). The city is host to 39 schools (universities and technical colleges) offering a system of education that is at par with the best in the region.

From the most basic needs to life’s little pleasures, the City’s shopping scene has become more vibrant with the sprouting of big malls that provide enjoyable shopping experiences and offer more value for money. 

Buses and jeeps provide a cheap land transportation alternative as well as a quick look to the life of the common people. Most residents prefer riding taxis or their own vehicles. The city is blessed to have the most courteous and honest taxi drivers in the country.

International Community 

As Davao is being geared up to become a better retirement haven in this part of the region, more and more people from all over the globe have started finding their respective places in the city. With a bigger space to accommodate more people than other cities in the region, there certainly is a place within the city ready to welcome new members of the Davao community.

Before WWII broke out, Davao was already a melting pot of Asia with nationals from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Japan doing business at first with the locals but eventually decided to stay for good and consider it a home. There was even a period when the place was called the “Little Tokyo” of the Philippines because of the presence of hundreds of Japanese workers who have migrated to the City at the height of the massive production of abaca fiber. 

 Being a relatively peaceful place with a cosmopolitan setting that is relaxed, foreign nationals find it easy to assimilate in a place that is generally appreciative and respectful of cultural uniqueness.

Ethnic groups in Davao include Americans, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Indonesians, Malaysians, Australians, Germans, Italians, and other nationals from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Food and Dining 

Davao dining offers a variety of culinary delights that will excite even the most discriminating gourmet. The freshness of ingredients harvested from the sea and the farms provides a fulfilling taste that is distinctly Davao.

The city is known for its inihaw (grilled tuna) and kinilaw (local version of sashimi using tuna or blue marlin strips). 

There is a variety of dining destinations to whet your appetite and suit your mood. There are restaurants offering a panoramic view of the Davao gulf. Others prefer a wider perspective of the city by dining in an array of restaurants located on top of hills. 

Delectable Ala Carte and smorgasbord at affordable prices can also be found in popular restaurants, hotels, and cafes all over the metropolis. Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and other cuisines are included in the menu of specialty restaurants.

Culture and Religions 

Davao culture has assimilated influences from both hemispheres of the world. By and large, it is a mix of Asian, Spanish and American cultures. With predominantly migrant population, the City is a melting pot of cultures where diversities are well appreciated, respected, and nurtured in a harmonious and peaceful environment.

 Davaoeños are a versatile and talented people with music and other arts that are well appreciated in the entire country. Folkdance rhythms and steps are unconventionally challenging and entertaining. 

Basketball is considered as a national sport. A Basketball court can be found in almost all villages in the City. Chess is being played alongside a local board game called “Dama” in some parks devoted for the mind game enthusiasts. 

Major languages and dialects are Filipino (mainly derived from Tagalog) Cebuano, English.

The city is predominantly Christian with more than 80 percent of the population practicing the Roman Catholic faith. Cathedrals, churches, and chapels of Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, and other Christian groups dot the city’s landscape. 

Some born-again groups that have gained national or worldwide prominence are founded in Davao City. Some international evangelists have stated that Davao is the spiritual capital of the country. Due to a growing number of secular Christian groups, it is interesting to note that some even conduct their worship services in places like cinemas and warehouses. 

There are places of worship too for those practicing Islam, Buddhism and other faiths in Davao.

Banks and Other Financial Institutions 

 There are over 2,000 financial institutions operating in Davao City, including over a hundred branches of Philippine and international banks. 

 Some banks operate 7 days a week. Those inside big establishments such as malls operate 6 days a week (Mondays through Saturdays). 

Added banking convenience is provided through numerous automated teller machines in strategic places all over the metropolis, as well as, through other forms of electronic banking.