Balikbayan visitors and tourists of this city are not only overwhelmed by the emerging shopping malls, hotels and restaurants but the naturally rich flora and fauna as well. Island resorts are also one of the reasons why Davao City is popular among tourists. Furthermore, the celebrations like Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan invite visitors who want to witness and celebrate with each year.

Places to see in Davao:

Crocodile Farm
Puentespina Orchid Garden
Philippine Eagle
Paradise Island
Malagos Farm House
Malagos Garden Resort
- and many more

Davao Zone will feature those places in a later postings…

President Arroyo personally came last February 8, 2008 to unveil the project. Governor Del Rosario of Davao del Norte is the man behind this important project.

The road will truly improve the living condition of the people in the area as they can easily transport products to the urban centers, particularly in Davao del Norte. “We can also readily bring essential government services to the indigenous communities”, Del Rosario said. This mega project is touted to be completed in 2010 and is expected to increase the volume of export in the region and accelerate socio-economic development in the province.

Bukidnon Road in progress

People’s Park has an area of 7 hectares, mostly open areas covered with greens. The park offers facilities to cater to children, disabled and senior citizens. It opens early in the morning to accommodate health buffs who like to jog and do aerobic workouts. The ambience is also very conducive for reflecting and spending some quiet time in the morning. Usually, it gets a bit crowded when afternoon comes.

The presence of a few huts using bamboo poles and slats as additional materials inside a replica of Philippine rainforest, gives an aura of exoticness of the park.

Of course, public safety is always first, thats why there are security cameras installed in strategic corners of the park. There are also a lot of visible law enforcement personnel roving around the vicinity.

This project will be one of the many legacies from Mayor Duterte as soon as he steps down from public service and politics.

People’s Park

People’s Park in Davao

“The launching of the 911 in Davao, made the Philippines the only country after the US and Canada to adopt the system. Using the 911 system, DLPC used a modified version of its Geographic and Information System and called it the Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (ECAD) to help authorities locate the origin of emergency calls. The system even tracks how fast the police could respond to the emergency calls. The system also uses color-coded icons to monitor movement and location of police mobile units: Blue for mobile units at rest; Red for on the move response and Green for onsite, which means that a mobile unit has arrived in the site of emergency.(www.rvr.aim.edu.ph)

My cousin works as a telephone operator for more than a year now. I asked her what kind of emergency calls they usually receive. She said that emergencies requiring immediate medical attention makes up most of the calls. Second are domestic disturbances, especially late at night. Of course, prank callers are already given, she added. Rescuers sometimes encounter strange situations like pythons coiling around trees, snakes sleeping inside a car’s engine compartment, dogs swallowing mothballs and drunk individuals showing a little too much skin and confidence.

Davao City Central 911

The Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), MCC Capital Inc., a UK-based financial institution, and local government units in the Davao Region have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on the proposed Davao Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the construction of a bridge in Samal.

Wendel Avisado, executive director of the DIDP stated that “the LRT system will serve the coastal builtup area of Davao City, as well as neighboring areas in Davao del Sur (Sta. Cruz), and Davao del Norte (Panabo City).” He said that the project cost was R240 billion in 1997 when it was first proposed. “It is also proposed to be 60 kilometers in length and a BOT (build, operate, transfer) project,” Avisado said.

The intended railway system will initially stretch across the major highways of Tagum City-Carmen-Panabo City-Davao City-Sta. Cruz-and Digos City in Davao del Sur.

Personally, this railway system means less hassle and shorter traveling time to the rural areas where there are still many unexplored thrills and adventures to be experienced.