DAVAO CITY AND THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES
The City of Davao, the fourth largest city in the country, and
is the largest city located on the island of Mindanao, the
country's second largest island, in southern part the Philippines
encompassing 94,932 square miles.
Davao City has a population of 1.5 million and is one of the
largest cities in area worldwide. The city has emerged as
the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire
southern Philippines boasting of some of the finest beaches
and mountain resorts in the country and its proximity to the
Philippines’ most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mount Apo.
The land area of the city is 944 square miles(2,443.61 square kilometers). Almost 50% of its total land area is classified as timberland or forest.Agriculture utilizes about 43%. This is reflective of the fact that agriculture is still the largest economic sector with plantations producing banana, pineapple, coffee, and coconut.
The city is approximately 588 miles southeast of Manila.
is the largest city located on the island of Mindanao, the
country's second largest island, in southern part the Philippines
encompassing 94,932 square miles.
Davao City has a population of 1.5 million and is one of the
largest cities in area worldwide. The city has emerged as
the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire
southern Philippines boasting of some of the finest beaches
and mountain resorts in the country and its proximity to the
Philippines’ most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mount Apo.
The land area of the city is 944 square miles(2,443.61 square kilometers). Almost 50% of its total land area is classified as timberland or forest.Agriculture utilizes about 43%. This is reflective of the fact that agriculture is still the largest economic sector with plantations producing banana, pineapple, coffee, and coconut.
The city is approximately 588 miles southeast of Manila.
Cost Of Living
The potential life-style for locals as well as foreigners can
offers a higher standard of living than in heavily-taxed
westernized countries . Equivalent groceries are one-forth the
western cost . Labor is 1/20th that of the West which relects
on the prices of houses, quality at one-fifth the price.
There are 3 modern, large shopping malls just in the city proper
of Davao itself. The Las Terrazas Subdivision, located in the
scenic hills of Davao, is just minutes from any of the malls.
Davao even has two gaming casinos in two different hotels.
Real estate is inexpensive in Davao, yet increases at a rate of 10% each year primarily do to the fact most houses are owned out right by residents compared those heavly amortorized in western countries which are really owned by banks . Higher home ownership in the Philippines reduces unrealistic, speculative housing prices as seen in the US and Europe. Property tax averages less than 1/10th of one percent per year!
Davao City is well-known for it's dozens of first-class restaurants including the local fare and international cuisine.A fine-dining dinner will average about $10 for two people! And the majority of restaurants offer fresh fish at ridiculously low prices including lobster, shrimp, marlin and tuna. The southern area of the Philippines which includes Davao City, has some of the deepest waters in the world which is why it produces such local varieties of the deep-sea fish like tuna and marlin.
offers a higher standard of living than in heavily-taxed
westernized countries . Equivalent groceries are one-forth the
western cost . Labor is 1/20th that of the West which relects
on the prices of houses, quality at one-fifth the price.
There are 3 modern, large shopping malls just in the city proper
of Davao itself. The Las Terrazas Subdivision, located in the
scenic hills of Davao, is just minutes from any of the malls.
Davao even has two gaming casinos in two different hotels.
Real estate is inexpensive in Davao, yet increases at a rate of 10% each year primarily do to the fact most houses are owned out right by residents compared those heavly amortorized in western countries which are really owned by banks . Higher home ownership in the Philippines reduces unrealistic, speculative housing prices as seen in the US and Europe. Property tax averages less than 1/10th of one percent per year!
Davao City is well-known for it's dozens of first-class restaurants including the local fare and international cuisine.A fine-dining dinner will average about $10 for two people! And the majority of restaurants offer fresh fish at ridiculously low prices including lobster, shrimp, marlin and tuna. The southern area of the Philippines which includes Davao City, has some of the deepest waters in the world which is why it produces such local varieties of the deep-sea fish like tuna and marlin.
Recreation
There are two championship golf courses in Davao City and 10 minutes by boat from Davao to Samal Island which is a sports enthusiast haven for skin diving, scuba diving, swimming and even deep-sea fishing.
Weather
Davao City is (typhoon) hurricane-free due to its location. Huriccanes which do hit the Philippines are much further north. The city enjoys weather that remains balmy all year round. It is characterized by a uniform distribution of rainfall, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. It has no pronounced wet or dry season. Weather predictability makes it highly conducive to agricultural production. Temperature ranges from 60 to 90 degrees Farenheit (20 to 32 degrees Celsius) and average rainfall is up to 80 inches (2,000 mm) yearly
Transportation
Transportation in the city is accessible by the number of buses, jeepneys, and taxis that run the city streets. Getting your way around Davao City is never a problem with the inexpensive mode of transportation available.As an example, the six mile (10 kilometer) taxi from from the airport to city center is about 7 US Dollars or 300 Philippine Pesos only!
Davao City also offers a wide bus network connection to major cities and provinces, not only in Mindanao but even as far as Manila in Luzon island. Davao City is connected to Manila by a series of roll on roll off or inter-island ferry connection. You can reach Davao City by bus to and from all of the cities in Mindanao and throughout the country including Cebu City and Manila.
Davao City has direct flights to major cities in the Philippines and some Asian Cities.
Davao City also offers a wide bus network connection to major cities and provinces, not only in Mindanao but even as far as Manila in Luzon island. Davao City is connected to Manila by a series of roll on roll off or inter-island ferry connection. You can reach Davao City by bus to and from all of the cities in Mindanao and throughout the country including Cebu City and Manila.
Davao City has direct flights to major cities in the Philippines and some Asian Cities.
Strict Enforcement Of Local Laws
The city government has invested millions of pesos to ensure the security of people living and working in Davao City. Aside from the usual forces of the Philippine National Police, a special military task force has been formed to insulate the city from terrorist attacks and other forms of criminality. The Task Force Davao, as it is named, is affiliated with the Philippine Army and is headed by an army colonel. The troubled area of Mindanao is far from Davao City, located in the far western corner of Mindanao. Davao City, itself, has a
lower crime rate than major cities in the United States.
The city government also maintains a 24-hour emergency response system patterned after the 9-1-1 systems in Canada and the United States. People can dial the 911 number to report emergencies and criminal incidents.
A curfew on minors is also observed in the city. All business establishments, in particular bars and discos, are mandated by a city ordinance to refrain from selling alcoholic drinks beyond 2:00 am. Also, motorcycle drivers with no helmets and motorists with defective lights are not allowed to enter or drive in the city. Regular checkpoints in key parts of Davao City and at the city boundaries are conducted 24 hours to ensure the strict implementation of traffic rules.
The use of fireworks and other similar pyrotechnics, as well as smoking, is strictly prohibited in most of the city. Even outdoors, if you are under a roof of any kind, you are prohibited from smoking. Violators are made to pay hefty fines, perform community service, serve jail time, or a combination of the three. Littering is also prohibited.
lower crime rate than major cities in the United States.
The city government also maintains a 24-hour emergency response system patterned after the 9-1-1 systems in Canada and the United States. People can dial the 911 number to report emergencies and criminal incidents.
A curfew on minors is also observed in the city. All business establishments, in particular bars and discos, are mandated by a city ordinance to refrain from selling alcoholic drinks beyond 2:00 am. Also, motorcycle drivers with no helmets and motorists with defective lights are not allowed to enter or drive in the city. Regular checkpoints in key parts of Davao City and at the city boundaries are conducted 24 hours to ensure the strict implementation of traffic rules.
The use of fireworks and other similar pyrotechnics, as well as smoking, is strictly prohibited in most of the city. Even outdoors, if you are under a roof of any kind, you are prohibited from smoking. Violators are made to pay hefty fines, perform community service, serve jail time, or a combination of the three. Littering is also prohibited.
Media And Communications
Davao City's has 9 tv stations in addition to the 24 national daily newspapers available, and 20 local newspapers. It also has 15 AM-band radio stations, and 18 FM-band radio stations. These numbers reflect the extent of press freedom being enjoyed by the print and broadcast media as well as provide wide range of choice for residents and visitors alike.
There are two major TV satellite dish networks offering local and international progaming in addition to one cable tv company offering the same services.
Leading telecommunications companies put facilities in Davao City paving clear connections from and to various destinations in the Philippines and all over the world. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (Bayantel), Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular operate vital transmission towers in the city supporintg wireless cell communication and wireless internet.
There are six Internet Service Providers operating in Davao City offering dial-up, dedicated and DSL types of service. The City has over a hundred Internet cafés operating in strategic areas where one can surf, chat, play games, send and view e-mails, and engage in e-commerce using the latest computer innovation and technology.And soon new service provider Sulubit.
There are two major TV satellite dish networks offering local and international progaming in addition to one cable tv company offering the same services.
Leading telecommunications companies put facilities in Davao City paving clear connections from and to various destinations in the Philippines and all over the world. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (Bayantel), Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular operate vital transmission towers in the city supporintg wireless cell communication and wireless internet.
There are six Internet Service Providers operating in Davao City offering dial-up, dedicated and DSL types of service. The City has over a hundred Internet cafés operating in strategic areas where one can surf, chat, play games, send and view e-mails, and engage in e-commerce using the latest computer innovation and technology.And soon new service provider Sulubit.
Medical
There are 31 hospitals with a total of 1,963 beds in Davao with Very affordable medical services made available to poor residents. and those of means. Medical treatment in Davao City offers top-notch physicians in state-of the -art facilities with the most modern technology, just like western countries but and 1/10th the cost. As an example, a dental cleaning is US$ 10! A total executive medical checkup including blood tests and treamill stess testing ia a mere US$100!
Education
Davao area is considered the Center for Learning and Education in Southern Philippines. Currently, it has 374 elementary schools, 65 secondary schools , and 46 colleges and universities.. The literacy rate of the country is 93.9%. Davao City has a literacy rate of 98.05%. The government provides free education at the primary (grade school) and secondary (high school) levels. Government scholars from all over the region enjoy free college education .