Profile
Davao City (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dabaw, Filipino: Lungsod
ng Dabaw) is a city on Mindanao, Philippines. As of the 2015 census, it had a
population of 1,632,991 people, making it the fourth-most-populous city in the
Philippines and the most populous in Mindanao. It is the center of Metro Davao,
the third most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines. With a total land
area of 2,444 square kilometers, the city is the largest in the country in
terms of land area.
The city serves as the main trade, commerce, and industry
hub of Mindanao and the regional center of Davao Region. Davao is home to Mount
Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines and also the home of the current President of the Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Davao is also known as the
"Durian Capital" of the Philippines.
For geographical and statistical purposes, Davao City is
grouped with the province of Davao del Sur but is governed independently from
it. The city is divided into three congressional districts, which are subdivided
into 11 administrative districts with a total of 182 barangays (Wikipedia, 2017).
Topography
A substantial part of Davao City is mountainous
characterized by extensive mountain ranges with uneven distribution of plateaus
and lowlands. The mountain range that delimits the western boundary of the city extends as far down to
South Cotabato. These mountain ranges nurses the highest peak in the
Philippines, which is Mt. Apo located at the boundaries of North Cotabato,
Davao del Sur and Davao City. Mt. Apo has an elevation of about 10.311 feet
(3,144 meters) above sea level. It has been considered as semi-active volcano.
The large, contiguous lowland areas of Davao City are
coastal plains and valleys extending inland as greatly-rising valleys. These
areas are found in the eastern part of the city in Paquibato district, which is
an extension of vast lowland at the head of Davao Gulf. The other substantial
lowland located in the southeastern part of the city along the western coast of
the Gulf, and are in the districts of Bunawan, Buhangin, Agdao, Poblacion,
Talomo and Toril. These lowland areas are level to nearly land with slopes
ranging from 0 to 3 percent. These are generally composed of recent alluvium
consisting of clay, silt and some sand and gravel.
 |
| Aerial View of Davao City |
Topographically, along the southeast quarter is plain and
slightly hilly along the entire coast and uplands north and westward to
Calinan, with slopes generally below four to five degrees. The plains and
valleys merged gradually into the uplands, and the uplands in turn into the
mountains. Although the eastern part of the city is a broad lowland belt, its
surface is interspersed by low hill and knobs.
The entire land area of Davao is drained towards the Gulf
Davao River and its numerous tributaries are the main drainage system of the
city. Davao River originates from Davao Province, flows towards the south
meandering along the central part and finally flows eastward emptying into the
gulf at the southern periphery of the City Proper. The secondary drainage
outlet of the city is the Talomo River which is the drainage outlets of the
eastern slopes of Mt. Apo. There are other small rivers and streams that drain
the area, but Davao and Talomo Rivers are the important river basins (www.davaocity.gov.ph,
2014).
Hydro-Geology
 |
| Davao River Aerial View |
Davao City was developed as a regional trade center for Southern Mindanao; international trade center to the Southern Pacific; and Southern Gateway more particularly to and from the neighboring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Australia, among others (www.davaocity.gov.ph, 2014).
Climate
Davao City enjoys a mild tropical climate. Compared with
other parts of the Philippines in which there is a district hot and wet season.
It enjoys the privilege of a climate where the days are always sunshiny and
mild followed by nights of rain. The city is outside the typhoon belt and lacks
major seasonal variations.
The predominant wind direction is northward from the Davao Gulf where the cooler air of the sea replaces the warm air mass over the city. Surrounding mountain chains protect the city effectively from strong winds.
The predominant wind direction is northward from the Davao Gulf where the cooler air of the sea replaces the warm air mass over the city. Surrounding mountain chains protect the city effectively from strong winds.
Geographical Location
 |
| Davao City Relative Location |
Davao City Proper is approximately 946 aerial kilometers or 588 statute miles, southeast of Manila. Because of its strategic location, Davao City was developed as a regional trade center for Southern Mindanao; international trade center to the Southern Pacific; and Southern Gateway more particularly to and from the neighboring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Australia, among others.
Land Area
Davao City, reputedly the largest city in the world, has
an area of 244,000 hectares, or 8 per cent of the land area of Southern
Mindanao Region or Region XI. It is divided into 3 congressional districts and
furthermore divided into 11 administrative districts. Poblacion and Talomo
Districts comprised District I, meanwhile District II is composed of the
following districts, namely: Agdao, Buhangin, Bunawan and Paquibato, District
III includes Toril, Tugbok, Calinan, Baguio and Marilog.
Davao City Economic Map
Davao City Economic Map
Legislative
Districts of Davao City
Administrative Map of Davao City
The People in General
Speaking of people, Davao City is.composed of many ethnic-cultural
groups of diverse background, customs and dialects that co-exist. Ethnic groups
and cultures are varied as their customs and believes. The varied cultures in
Davao City are Spanish, American, Chinese, Japanese and Muslim combined with
the culture of the indigenous ethnic tribes and those of other Filipino
migrants from Luzon and Visayas. The indigenous ethnic groups referred to are
the Atas, Bagobos, (Guiangas, Obo, Tagabawa), Mandayas, Mansakas, Kalagans, and
Manobos.
The city of Davao is a microcosm of Philippine culture and society
because it is a community where the three community patterns that somehow
affected Philippine History are present. The three community patterns in the
city are the communities of the indigenous ethnic tribe (generally are
pagans); the Moro or Muslim communities and the communities of the Christian
Filipinos and foreign. Pagan, Muslim and Christian Filipinos generally belong
to the same race of mixed Malay and Indonesian stock except the Negritos aborigines.
The Christian group occupies a place of dominance that it forms the majority
while the Muslims and the indigenous ethnic tribes from the minority.
Characteristics of the present population is the result of the unusual
blending. Of the contradictory qualities of the early people that inhabited
Davao and the migrant Christian Filipinos from Luzon and the Visayas and
foreigners from far places. The cultural background of the people are diverse
that there exist different regional social groups and organizations.
The Bagobo tribe of Davao City is considered one of the most peaceful
tribes. Most of them now live in the hinterlands of Guianga, Baracatan, Baguio,
and Calinan. Many of them are also found in the other parts of the city. They
are considered the most educated and most advanced among the indigenous tribes
in Davao city. Statistics shows that these people have successfully sent their
children to school and have produced many professionals.
The Atas considered the earliest indigenous tribe to settle in Davao,
are still existing although small in number. They are found.living in the
jungle of the unexplored areas beyond the hills of.Little Baguio in Calinan and
Lacson in Davao City.
The Mandayas are considered by another non-christian tribes as the oldest
and most illutrious of the peoples. They are the offsprings of the Malay-Manobo
union. Some researchers say that the Mandayas are the greatest and best tribe
in Eastern Mindanao.
The Muslim groups that are found in Davao City came from other parts of
Mindanao. They are the Tausug, Maguindanaons, Maranaos and Kalagans. The
Kalagan Muslims belong to the bigger group of minorities living in Davao City.
The Indigenous Ethnic Tribes of Davao
The people in Davao City are of diverse backgrounds. This is so because
the community of the indigenous ethnic tribes resulted from different
migrations in history and the migrant Muslim communities of the Maguinadanaons,
Kalagans, Tausugs, Samals, and Maranaos came from the different provinces of
Mindanao and Sulu. This is also true Christian Filipinos who came from Luzon
and the Visayas as well as the foreigners from other lands. This situation
created a highly heterogeneous population in the city.
In Davao City people seek many dialects. As to the dialects spoken, the data obtained
from the statistical variables, regional Quarterly Publication, National Census
and Statistics, Davao City, the dialects spoken by a person in his earliest
childhood are; Cebuano 74.56%; Tagalog 3.35%; Hiligaynon 3.4%; Bagobo/ Guianggaa
3.16%; Dabawenyo 1.26%; Tagacaolo 2.38%; Bilaan 1.675%; Ilocano 1.01%; Waray
0.55%; Manobo 2.15%; Maguindanao 1.91%; Mandaya 2.01% and others 2.06%.
Language
Davaoeño Cebuano (or Visayan) is the most
widely spoken language in the city. English is the medium of instruction in
schools, and widely understood by residents.
Mother tongue (ethnic
origin) Percent (%)
Cebuano 74.56
Tagalog 3.86
Hiligaynon 3.43
Bagoboo, Guiangao 3.16
Davaoeño 1.26
Tagacaolo 2.38
Bilaan 1.67
Ilocano 1.01
Waray 0.55
Manobo 2.15
Maguindanao 1.91
Mandaya 2.01
Others 2.04
Not Stated 0.01
TOTAL 100.00
Source: http://info.philtravelcenter.com/davao-dialect.ph,
2015
Religion
The
largest religious group is Roman Catholic, comprising about 80 percent of the
population. Other Christian groups, such as the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of
Christ), Evangelicals, the Jesus Miracle Crusade and the The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) comprise eight percent. Seventh-day
Adventists and Baptists are other Christian denominations. The remainder belong
to non-Christian faiths (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and animism).
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao is
the main metropolitan see of the Roman Catholic Church in southern Mindanao. It
comprises the city of Davao, the Island Garden City of Samal and the
municipality of Talaingod in Davao del Norte; under its jurisdiction are the
three suffragan dioceses of Digos, Tagum and Mati (the capital cities of the
three Davao provinces). Archbishop Romulo Valles of the Archdiocese of Davao,
appointed on February 11, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI, took office on May 22,
2012, at San Pedro Cathedral. Saint Peter, locally known as San Pedro, is the
patron saint of the city.
Media
Media networks such as ABS-CBN Corporation,
GMA Network, Inc., TV5, PTV, IBC-13, Solar News Channel, Davao Christian
Broadcasting Channel and Sonshine Media Network International maintain local
stations in the city.
In addition to 24 national newspapers, Davao
City has 21 local newspapers, including the Sun Star Davao, the Mindanao Times
and the Mindanao Examiner
Heritage
 |
| Ginang-gang |
There are a number of
cultural-heritage sites in the city, including the Davao Museum (in Insular
Village, Lanang), the Mindanao Folk Arts Museum (Philippine Women's College,
Juna Subdivision, Matina), Davaoeño Historical Society Museum (at Magallanes
and Claveria Streets) and the Philippine-Japan Museum (Matsuo Compound,
Calinan). Japanese historical sites include the Japanese Tunnel (used by
Japanese forces during World War II), the 20th-century Japanese cemetery and
the Furukawa Fiber Plant (used by Yoshizo Furukawa as an abacá and banana
plantation).
Cuisine
The cuisine of Davao City features skewered
and grilled meat dishes, but the most common dish served in the city is kinilaw,
a relative of ceviche made from tuna, mackerel, or swordfish with cucumber
(and sometimes radishes) and chili marinated in vinegar. Sinuglaw, a portmanteau of sinugba
(grilled) and kinilaw in the Cebuano
language is also a term for a dish in which diced, grilled pork belly is mixed
with kinilaw.
Fruit dishes, snacks, and desserts are also
popular, most made from durian and bananas. Ginanggang is a banana dish that originated in this city and
spread to other parts of the country; a banana is grilled, skewered, brushed
with margarine and sprinkled with sugar. Durian dishes, snacks, and desserts
include durian ice cream, durian pie and durian shakes.
Transportation
 |
| Downtown Davao |
Davao City has the first taxis in the
Philippines to accept payments from BancNet and MegaLink ATM and debit
cards.The black taxis are linked to the Global Positioning System (GPS), and
dispatching is done by computer.
Davao City offers a wide bus network
to cities and provinces in Mindanao and as far as Pasay City in Luzon, Ormoc
and Tacloban in the Visayas. The city is accessible by bus from several points
in Mindanao such as Cotabato, Kidapawan, General Santos, Digos, Koronadal,
Isulan, Tagum, Tandag, Malaybalay, Mati, Nabunturan, Malita, Cagayan de Oro,
Butuan, and Surigao .
Construction of roads and bridges is
underway. The city's third major road (the Buhangin Underpass) was completed in
the first quarter of 2003. The Traffic Management and Computerization Scheme
was implemented, considered one of the most modern in the country.
List of bus companies serving Davao City:
- Bachelor Express/Tours, (Butuan, Surigao, Ormoc,
Tacloban, Tandag, Bislig, Mati, Cateel, Sigaboy, Pundaguitan, Sto Tomas,
Kapalong)
- Davao Metro Shuttle
Bus, (Tagum, New
Bataan, Monkayo, Digos, Bansalan, Malita)
- Dianhok Bus, (Tagum, Compostela, New Bataan)
- Rural Transit/Tours, (Cagayan de Oro)
- Philtranco/PP Bus
Line/Super 5
(Pasay City, Cubao)
- Surigao Express, (Butuan, Surigao)
- Land Car
Incorporated,
(Mati)
- Joenil Transport, (Tagum, New Bataan, Maragusan)
- C & D Express, (Tagum, Compostela, New Bataan)
- Golden Valley, (Tagum, Compostela, New Bataan)
- AC Transport, (Monkayo, Trento, Veruela)
- Mindanao Star (Cotabato, Midsayap, Kabacan,
Kidapawan, Bansalan, General Santos and Koronadal)
- Yellow Bus Line, (Digos, General Santos, Koronadal, Isulan, Tacurong)
- Davao ACF Bus, (Digos, Malita)
- Norjean Transport , (Digos, Malita)
- Coco Transport (Malita, Lawis)
 |
| Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao City |
The Port of Davao has two government seaports
(Sasa International Wharf and Santa Ana Domestic Wharf) and nine privately
owned ports. In addition, the Toril International Fish Port Complex
accommodates small and large-scale fishing activities and provides facilities
such as cold storage.
Davao City has direct flights to major
Philippine cities and Singapore. Francisco Bangoy International Airport is the
major airport serving the city. It is the busiest airport in Mindanao, and the
third-busiest in the Philippines.
Economy
Davao is part of the East Asian Growth Area, a regional
economic-cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia. Like the rest of the
Philippines, Davao City has a market-oriented economic system.
In 2011, Davao City ranked 87th among the world's
fastest-growing cities by the City Mayors Foundation, based in London and
Freiburg, Germany. According to the foundation, the city has a projected
average annual growth of 2.53 percent over a 15-year period; Davao was the only
Philippine city to reach the top 100.
 |
| Davao City at Night |
Davao Light and Power Co., an Aboitiz company which is
the third-largest electric utility in the country, serves the city's needs.
With Davao Light's Bajada Power Plant and supply agreements with other
generating plants, the city has fewer power interruptions compared to other
parts of Mindanao during an island-wide power shortage.
Davao is a leading producer of mangoes, pomeloes,
bananas, coconut products, papayas and mangosteens. Durians are also a notable
export.
Davao City serves as the main trade, commerce, and
industry hub of Mindanao and is also one of the financial hubs of Mindanao. One
Network Bank, based in the city, is the largest rural bank in the Philippines
in assets; most branches are in Mindanao (including 17 locations where it is
the only financial-services provider). Government social-insurance agencies
such as the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System are
also in Davao.
Davao City is also seen to become the
next Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hubs in the country, whereas the city
ranked high in various rankings as a BPO destination in Asia and world
categories. At present, the city has some 20,000 to 21,000 full-time employees
in more than 20 big, medium and small BPO firms.
Shopping
There are many shopping centers that dot the city but these are the notable ones in Davao City. Abreeza, which opened in May 12, 2011, is the first and largest Ayala Mall in Mindanao.SM City Davao is the 1st SM Mall in Mindanao; and SM Lanang Premier, is the 1st and only SM Premiere Mall, and also the largest SM shopping mall, in Mindanao.
Other malls and shopping centers are:
 |
| SM Lanang Primier (Lanang, Davao City) |
 |
| Victoria Plaza Mall (Bajada, Davao City) |
- Robinsons Cybergate Davao
- Gaisano Mall of Davao, the largest Gaisano Mall in
the Philippines,
- Gaisano Mall of Toril
- Gaisano Grand Citimall (formerly JS Gaisano)
- Gaisano Grand Citigate Buhangin
- Gaisano Grand Mall of Calinan (proposed)
- NCCC Main - Magsaysay
- NCCC Mall of Buhangin
- NCCC Mall Victoria, the oldest and 1st full-service
Mall in Davao
- Felcris Centrale
- Chimes Mall
- S&R Membership Shopping
- D.C.L.A
- Gaisano Grand Mall of Toril
- Gaisano Grand Mall of Tibungco
- Gaisano Grand Mall of Calinan
- StarMall Cerritos in Mintal (proposed)
 |
| SM City (Ecoland, Davao City) |
 |
| Abreeza Mall (Bajada, Davao City) |
 |
| Gaisano Mall (Toril, Davao City) |
Law
and Order
The Philippine National Police, a military task force has been formed
to protect the city from terrorist attacks and other crime. Task Force Davao is
affiliated with the Philippine Army and headed by an army colonel.
Under Rodrigo Duterte's tenure as mayor from 2001 to 2010, the city maintained its stability. The crime rate dropped between 1995 and 2008. However, the Davao Death Squad gained notoriety for vigilante killings; this earned Duterte the nickname "The Punisher" by Time magazine. As of now, the city was listed as the 4th safest city in the world.
The Public Safety and Security Command
Center (PSSCC), the first in the Philippines, is located in Sandawa, Matina. It
is headquarters for 911 and the center for the 170 closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras installed in different strategic areas as of today covering
access roads and populated downtown areas, and also including outside the Davao
International Airport and six in different bridges to monitor the rise of water
level in the city’s rivers. The center also controls traffic signals in the
city.
Davao
City Local Government Departments
City Administrator's Office and the position of the City Administrator were created pursuant to Resolution No. 260, Ordinance No. 115, Series of 1981. The functions of the City Administrator is mandated under Section 480, Article 10 of Republic Act 7160 - the Local Government Code of 1991. One of the functions thereof was to exercise supervision and control over all Davao City government enterprises and/or departments performing purely proprietory functions. Its functional statement is to develop plans, strategies and formulate guidelines, standards and regulations and implements the same, particularly those with the management and administration-related programs and projects. Maintains coordination, supervision and control over all divisions, programs and project initiated of this office.
Contact Information:
Rm. 14, 2nd Floor City Hall Bldg, San Pedro St., Davao
City
Tel. No. (082) 221-3222, 224-2028, 224-2029, 227-4526
cado @ davaocity.gov.ph
City Information Technology Center is the frontline office in the adoption and
application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and ensures its
utilization in strategic area of government concern thus supporting all
departments and offices in their respective ICT thrusts and programs.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Rm. 11, Mezzanine Flr., City Hall Bldg., Davao City
8000 Philippines
(082) 222-1198, (082) 225-3839
citc @ davaocity.gov.ph
Office of the City Environment
and Natural Resources was originally created as an Ad Hoc City
Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in the City of Davao by virtue
of Executive Order No. 6 signed by His Honor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, City Mayor,
on February 12, 1993.
The creation was in compliance with Sections
16 and 17 of Republic Act No. 716 otherwise known as the "Local Government
Code of 1991" which provides that within their respective territorial
jurisdiction, local government units shall enhance the right of the people to a
balance ecology while Section 17 of the code provides for the devolution of
certain functions of national government agencies provides for the devolution
of certain functions of national government agencies to the Local Government
Unit, including that of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR).
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
2nd Flr Agdao Public Market, Lapu-lapu St., Agdao
Proper, Davao City
Tel No. (082) 227-2655
Fax No. (082) 225-0744
Hotline No. (082) 244-0094
cenro @ davaocity.gov.ph
General Services Office ensures that
the proper authorization and prompt execution of procurement of supplies and
property are observed, physical control and access of tangible assets are
adequately safeguarded by person in custody of the property, that disposal must
be in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations, delivery of the
general services, janitorial and security services are effectively carried out.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Rm. 17 Procurement Div, Rm. 15 Inventory Div,, City
Hall Bldg, Davao City
(082) 227-06-05, 227-9729, 227-9852, 227-8074,
224-5885
gso @ davaocity.gov.ph
Office of the City Legal
Officer. The Office is one
of the 19 departments/offices of the City Government of Davao. The office has
49 various positions comprising 6 divisions created under its office plantilla
of personnel.
At
present, it has a total of forty one (40) appointed officials and employees all
of which are in permanent status. Nine (9) plantilla positions are still vacant
including the position of the City Legal Officer.
Since
the time of vacancy of the position of City Legal Officer last March 2010 the
incumbent Assistant City Legal Officer was the one designated by the Honorable
City Mayor to act as one. He is assisted by seven (7) lawyers in handling
various cases wherein the city or any of its official is a party.
The Office is also currently implementing
three (3) continuing projects namely: (1) City Franchising & Regulatory
Board, (2) Motorized Tricycle-for-Hire (MTH) City Wide Law Enforcement and
Monitoring Program, and (3) Real Property Task Force.
Contact Information:
Room Nos. 24 and 25, 2nd Floor, City Hall Bldg., Davao
City
Tel nos. (082) 225-0183, (082) 227-5793
Telefax no. (082) 225-5955 legal @ davaocity.gov.ph
Correspondence and Records
Division, City Mayor’s Office, Davao City, came into existence during the
Reorganization of the City Government of Davao in 1996. Previous to this, our
Office was only a Section headed by a Chief Clerk. However, on August 21, 1989,
an Act Prescribing A Revised Compensation and Position Classification System in
the Government (Republic Act No. 6758) was enacted. With this Law, the Records
Section was converted to Records Division headed by a Records Officer IV.
The main function of this Office is to
receive, classify, release, safe keep, maintain and deliver
communications/documents of the Office of the City Mayor.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Room No. 22, City Hall Building, Davao City
(082) 227-8331
crd @ davaocity.gov.ph
City Information Office is
the lead information agency of the City Government of Davao by promoting
awareness of the city government’s development initiatives through the
distribution of reading materials that could be easily understood by the
people, developing broadcast materials for TV, radio and social media;
strengthen news materials sharing with other media personalities and outlets,
as well as encourage active participation of stakeholders in the information
process.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Room 20, 2nd Floor, City Hall Bldg., San Pedro St.,
Davao City 8000 Philippines
(082) 227-2500
cio @ davaocity.gov.ph
Davao City Library and
Information Center is a division under the Executive Department,
Office of the Mayor. Under its general supervision, it is headed by a City Librarian
with 21 personnel under the plantilla, 4 contract workers and 15 job
orders who manages the operations of the Main Library and its
Extensions which includes the Bookmobile. On the technical side, it is
being administered by the National Library. The Library develops its resources
and facilities to conform with the needs and interest of the public it served.
Contact Information:
3rd
Flr. Sangguniang Panlungsod Bldg San Pedro St., Davao City.
Tel. Nos.: (082) 225-3137; 222-7845 Fax No. (082) 227-3137
citylib @ davaocity.gov.ph
Human Resource Management
Office, human resource is the most valuable resource in the organization. It
can make or unmake/do or undo our organization. It is a resource within which
all other resources are made and utilized to achieve total human development
and public service excellence.
Health
 |
| Southern Philippines Medical Center |
There are 31 hospitals including tertiary centers like Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Ricardo Limso Medical Center, Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital (DMSF Hospital), Metro Davao Medical and Research Center, Davao Adventist Hospital, MMG Hospital, CHDC Hospital and the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Davao has been praised by the World Health Organization for its smoke-free policy since 2002, the first in the Philippines.
Education
The city government provides free
education at the primary (grade school) and secondary (high school) levels.
Universities,Schools and colleges
include:
Samson Polytechnic
College of Davao
(former Samson Technical Institute) now offers college degree courses such
as BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, BS Tourism Management, BS
Information Technology, BS Business Administration and Bachelors in
Technical Education
University of
Mindanao
(formerly Mindanao Colleges) is the oldest university in the region—the
first private, non-sectarian university in Mindanao, chartered in December
1966.
Ateneo de Davao
University
University of
Southeastern Philippines,
the first state university in the region
University of the
Immaculate Conception
(formerly Immaculate Conception College) is the first Catholic school in
Mindanao, founded in 1905 by the Congregation of the Religious of the
Virgin Mary (RVM).
University of the
Philippines Mindanao,
the country's national university and premier institution of higher
learning. U.P. System's flag-bearer in Mindanao
- San Pedro College
- Holy Cross of Davao College
- Lyceum of the Philipines Davao
- Davao Doctors College
- Christian Colleges of Southeast Asia
- Stella Maris Academy of Davao
- St. Paul College - Davao Campus
- John Paul II College of Davao
- St. Peter's College of Toril is a private Filipino Catholic school in Toril, Davao City. It is owned and administered by the Presentation of Mary Sisters (PM)
- Brokenshire College
- Philippine Women's College of Davao
- Jose Maria College
- Assumption College of Davao
- Holy Child College of Davao (formerly Holy Child
School of Davao)
- AMA Computer College of Davao
- STI College of Davao
- Rizal Memorial Colleges
- Davao Medical School Foundation
- Philippine College of Technology
- DMMA College of Southern Philippines (former Davao
Merchant Marine Academy)
- MATS College of Technology
- Davao Medical School Foundation (A medical school
mainly for students from Southern India and the Philippines)
- MKD Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (Mindanao International
College, College of Philippine Nikkie Jin Kai International School)
- Gabriel Taborin College of Davao Inc.
- Davao Central College
- Davao Vision Colleges, Inc. (Founded by Korean
missionaries Located @ Catalunan Grande, Davao City.)
- Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus
- TESDA Registered School offering short term courses and 2 year bundled courses:
- St. Joseph Technical Academy of Davao City, Ramon
Magsaysay Ave., Davao City
- Samson Polytechnic College of Davao
Sports
Sports facilities include the Davao
City Recreation Center (Almendras Gymnasium), Tionko Football Field (near Agro
College and the Davao River) and the gymnasiums of Ateneo de Davao University,
Philippine Women's College of Davao Event Center, the University of Southeastern
Philippines, Holy Cross of Davao College and the University of Mindanao. Mintal
Comprehensive National High School(MCHS,known as "Compre", Mintal
Tugbok District Davao City.
The Origin of Davao
The name Davao has many
interesting meanings. Folktales about Davao are too many. Davao is more
folklore than fact. Davao is said to have derived its name from the word
Daba-daba, a region of flames or fire as recorded in the books of early Jesuit
priests. Some sources say this word is of Bagobo origin which is the name of
the sacred brush that belonged to the chieftain of the early Bagobos named Datu
Duli who lived in the rolling hills of the Sandawa Mountain.as was the custom
during ancient times, the Bagobos kept the fire burning twenty four hours a day
throughout the year. And the fire was supposed to be burning at the foot of the
sacred brush called Daba-daba. It was said that Datu Duli, the Bagobo chieftain
was kind and just in his decision over an accused person. Other Bagobos then
pronounced the word Daba-daba with the sound of “o” at the end. It was said it had been practiced by Datu
Duliwhen he rendered decisions in settling cases. As time went on the Bagobos
of the succeeding generation changed the word Daba-daba to just Daba and added
the letter “o” to justify the actuations of Datu Duli in rendering his
decisions. Thus the ancient Bagobo word Daba-daba is now pronounced Davao by
both the natives and immigrants.
Some also sat that Davao was derived from the
name of a Manobo rebel Dabao. Other maintains that the name Davaw was derived
from the word dabahan, a big basin for laundering used by the natives. Still
another derivation of the name was from the word daba meaning earthen pot or
palayok which the early natives made and sell as their means of livelihood.
When mountain dwellers got down to the lowlands the first thing they looked for
and bought was the daba.
The Peopling of Davao
Davao, in its early
beginnings, was peopled by different races and groups from different regions
and countries. The waves if migration into the Philippines from the Asian
countries of Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia and Persia via Celebes Sea first
landed in Mindanao then pushed their explorations toward the North. On their
way some of them probably weary and tired from the voyage, settled and lived in
Sarangani Island, then later found their way to what is now Davao. Among these
groups were the little people known as the Dawn man of the Australoid Sakai
Type, Proto-Malays, Indonesian B types of the late Neolithic period. From these
migrations in history came the aboriginal/ethnic tribes. These ethnic
indigenous groups are of varied cultures and racial types.
The major ethnic indigenous
tribes that compose the natives of Davao are the Guiangas (inhabitants of the
woods); the Bagobos; the Bilaans or Bilanes; the Manobos or Manuba (Mansuba,
river dweller); the Tagacaolos (inhabitants of the “head of source” of rivers);
Mandayas (Man-daya, people of the lowland, ilaya); Mansakas (people of the
mountain); and the Atas (from the word ataas or itaas) who live in the
“heights”. These indigenous ethnic tribes were forced to move into the
hinterlands to give way to the new wave of migrants such as the Muslim
Maguindanaons from Cotabato who settled at the banks of Tagloc River. The Atas
or the dark-skinned short people were pushed inland to the foothills of Mt.
Apo.
The Muslim Maguindanaons came
originally to settle but majority of them did business as they were by nature
traders and merchants. These Moros (as the Muslims were called then) became the
settlers at the Banks of Tagloc River (as called by the early natives) led by
Datu Bago, their chieftain. Bago lorded the place from 1830 to 1847.
Other groups of migrants who
came were the Indonesians, Hindus, and Bombays from India; the Arabian-Persians:
the Chinese; the Spaniards; the Americans; the Japanese; and the adventurous
Christian Filipinos from Luzon and the Visayas. The Indians and the Chinese
made up the biggest groups of foreigners then.
The Chinese came to Davao in
the early 1800’s or even earlier to trade with the indigenous tribes or
natives. During the middle and later part of the 1800’s some of these Chinese
came to settle down permanently although Davao was very swampy and
under-developed. Most of them came from the provinces of Fookien and Kwangtong
(Canton) in search for better living. After years of hard work in trade coupled
with frugality, they prospered and some of them became store owners and
proprietors of businesses. They survived competition from other groups because
of their being strong-willed people specially when it came to business.
The Europians arrived when
Jose Oyanguren, a Spaniard “conquered” Davao for the Spanish government. He
brought with him his Spanish soldiers and their families and native volunteers
from Surigao and Caraga. Next came the Americans who were members of the survey
mission after the end of the Spanish-American War of 1898; commanders and
soldiers of military units sent to maintain peace; and the American discharged
soldiers who later became plantation owners.
In the early 1900s the
Japanese laborers who finished the construction of the Baguio-Kennon read were
recruited to work in the plantations of the American and Filipino hacenderos.
However, the very first Japanese who arrived in Davao were those brought by a
certain Matute, a Spanish trader, in the 1800s hired Juan Awad, a Lebanese
pioneer migrant and by Teodoro Palma Gil to work in their farms in Lapanday and
Tigatto.
Then came the adventurous
Christian Filipinos from Luzon and the Visayas to seek their fortune in this
faraway place. Some of these Filipinos were “imported” by the pioneer American
planters to work in the newly opened coconut and abaca plantations. Ever since
early times the motive of people coming to Davao was economic in nature. The
motive behind the Muslims of Cotabato coming to Davao then was originally to
settle but later engaged in trade and commerce.Years before the coming of the
Spaniards the Chinese were already plying the route from South China to Davao
as commercial traders bringing with them Chinese goods in exchange for native
products.
Don Jose Oyanguren conquered Davao for the Spanish government on only
after an agreement was signed that he would be given the exclusive right to
trade in the region. Oyanguren was a Spanish lawyer in Manila who became a
trader. He fell in love with a beautiful girl named Luisa (a direct descendant
by the name of Joaquin Jack Rodriguez who resides in New Manila. Quezon City
claims that Luisa is surnamed Gonzales). As the story went, it turned out that
Luisa had an older brother by the name of Antonio who was an officer of the
Spanish boat that first came to Davao was killed by the natives while engaged
into commerce. In exchange her hand in marriage, Luisa demanded that Oyanguren
must first avenge the death of her brother. This, and the prospect of better
and more business made Oyanguren volunteer to come to Davao and conquer Datu
Bago who lorded the place from 1830 to 1847.
The Americans settled in
Davao in the early 1900s because they bought/acquired big plantations planted
abaca and coconuts. Some of these American pioneers came with their families.
The migration of Japanese laborers was motivated by the same purely economic
stimulus which attracted them to work on the Kennon road in Baguio. At first
they were hired by the American planters to work in the newly opened
plantations of the Americans. Later, they acquired their own plantations.
The early Christian Filipinos from Luzon and the Visayas came because
they were recruited to be paid by the pioneer planters to work in the coconut
and abaca plantations of the latter. All evidence down the line indicated that
the real motive of people coming to Davao was purely economic in nature.
The Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese have come and gone but the
Chinese remained and integrated themselves into the mainstream of the Davao
society. people of Davao accept the fact that the Japanese contributed to the
progress of Davao in their pioneering work in abaca plantations but the Chinese
specially after World War II contributed much to the progress and development
of Davao City, economic wise. They poured great investments to boost the city’s
economy.
Updated on June 08, 2019@8
9:25 am by Rhey Mark H. Diaz
Updated on June 08, 2019@8
9:25 am by Rhey Mark H. Diaz
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