Davao City is eminent beyond comparison. Leaving no doubt, it has a clean air to breathe, a safe place to live in and amicable individuals to deal with. It is progressive and productive in so many ways. People here are simple yet very much updated with the latest technologies. It’s true, because Davao City is known as one of the fastest growing regions in the Philippines.

Have you ever gone to Davao City’s most promising spots? How about discovering the solemnity of its breathtaking beaches and resorts? Ever tried taking photographs of the astonishing Kadayawan Festival that is filled with the blessings of nature (flowers & fruits as well)? That can only be encountered here in Davao City because Davao City is simply the best evidence of beauty and magic that the Nature could offer.

Davao City is even enriched with values, culture, and tradition despite its modernisms. Because the community of native people such as Mandayas, B’laans, Mansakas, Manobos, Atas, and Lumads still have the sense of continuance of their believes and practices, and is strongly encourage by the government to share to the new generation (the youth) the significance of their existence. Do we know about the fact that they were the first Christians who were ruled-over by the Spaniards during the Spanish occupation? It was in the year 1848 when a chapel (named Nueva Vergara) was built under the power of Oyanguren, a Spanish ruler. Thereafter, a military government was settled in the said chapel and had been named the 4th district of Mindanao. Later on, the name Nueva Vergara was recognized as Davao, its innate term.

Davao City has a lot of potentialities. One of those is the richness that we have in terms of agriculture. Banana, copra, corn, abaca, ramie, mining, and fishing are the industries that keep the economy of Davao City flourished. In line with this, last 2002, Davao City was recognized as the Most Competitive City to Do Business in the Philippines by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center and the Department of Trade and Industry in their assessment of Philippine Cities Competitiveness. When it comes to literacy, Davao City has a rate of 96 %. As a matter of fact, it has attained recognitions from the Department of Education for setting and implementing numerous educational programs.

For environmental issues, the Clean Air Youth Alliance (CAYA) Davao was being launched at the Ateneo de Davao University last May 20, 2008. CAYA is an international organization headed by the U.S. Government aiming to initiate a movement for cleaner air. The launching was initiated by the U.S. Ambassadress Kristie Kenney together with the ADDU President Fr. Antonio Samson SJ, City Vice-mayor Sara Duterte, and City Councilor Leo Avila. It was participated by the different colleges and universities of Davao City (namely Holy Cross of Davao College, University of Mindanao, University of Southeastern Philippines, and the host school Ateneo de Davao University) and some environmental-youth organizations such as Keepers. The launching was incorporated with inspirational talks focusing on issues about air pollution in Davao City. The highlight of the launching was the turning-over of the Diesel Emission Testing Equipment of the U.S. Ambassadress to the Vice-mayor. This Diesel Emission Testing Equipment will be used to measure the level of air pollution in the city. Aside from the fact that Davao City is already a member of the Clean Cities Coalition, it is so good to hear that there are still many people who spend time in saving earth. We should be thankful for that and we should participate in every endeavor that government is doing. We should work hand-in-hand before everything is too late.

We Davaoeños should not be contended to just wait and see what is happening around us. Let us be determined to make right things happen in our beloved Davao City. As what Johann von Goethe said, “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.”, because we cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.