Davao City: Nature’s Wonders Amidst Friendly People

One of the world's largest cities, Davao offers a wide array of modern urban amenities that readily complement its accessible beaches and abundant supply of fresh seafood and fruits including the Exotic Durian. With a population of over a million people, Davao has a land area of 2,443.61 square kilometers. Located in the Southeastern part of Mindanao, Foreign Direct Investment Magazine hailed it as the 10th "Asian City of the Future". Rightly so because the city has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire southern Philippines. Here are reasons why Davao City is a winner for us:

1. Typhoon-Free Zone — Davao City not only enjoys good weather all year round, it is absolutely typhoon-free. The Philippine's highest peak, Mount Apo, found in the city shields it from the rough weather, making it an ideal venue for outdoor activities.
2. Cleanliness - If a city is clean, its potable water will show it. Davao City’s tap water has been tested internationally for quality against all the major bottled waters sold in the market. No less than the World Health Organization has certified its high quality.Kudos to its Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and all the city's proud inhabitants.

3. Diverse ecology — Home to at least 10 major indigenous tribes, Davao City has also become a growing community of expatriates with different languages, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and political persuasions. It's also paradise where numerous endemic animals and plants can be found.
4. Safest destination — Davao City has one of the lowest crime rates in the world averaging at 0.8 in every 10,000 persons per month. The Davao City Police Office has consistently been chosen as the Best Police Office in the entire country. The Davao City Peace and Order Council has been elevated to the Philippine Hall of Fame for consistently being the best in the country.
5. Emergency responsive capable — The only Asian city that has an integrated emergency response system similar to that of the United States and Canada – the Central 911, it can respond to all kinds of emergency - medical, fire, police assistance, natural or man-made disaster. The only difference between Davao’s 911 and that of the US and Canada is – in Davao the service is absolutely free, totally subsidized by the local government.
6. Excellent public utilities and infrastructure — Davao City enjoys an abundant and stable supply of water and power 24 hours a day all year round. The Davao City Water District (DCWD) is the number one water utility company in the Asia-Pacific Region among the 50 water utilities in the region.It is also the Most Outstanding Water District (very large category) for four years given by the Local Water Utilities Administration. On the other hand,Davao Light & Power (DLPC) is third largest privately-owned electric utility in the Philippines. Davao City has a pioneering state-of-the-art traffic system similar to the system in Los Angeles, California. It is the first city in the Philippines to have an adaptive traffic signalization system. Plans are underway also to make the entire Davao City a Wi-Fi Zone.

7. Healthy Lifestyle — Davao City adheres to a wholesome and healthy lifestyle for its residents and encourages its visitors to pursue the same. It pioneered the regulation of smoking in public places in the Philippines, which was replicated by other cities and gave birth to the national anti-smoking law.It has tough policies against dangerous drugs, violence against women and children (including prostitution and human trafficking), and environmental pollution.It led the ban on aerial spraying of plantations as well as the use of pyrotechnics. It is also in the forefront in the conservation of endangered species such as the country’s national bird, the Philippine Eagle, as well as the protection of the city’s watershed, coastal areas, rivers and gulf. It also boasts of one of the most progressive and comprehensive reproductive health program in the world.
8. Fresh Produce — Davao City has the freshest and highest quality produce in the country. Its exports of banana, pineapple, orchids, and tuna, among others, are considered the best in the world.Its pomelo, durian, and mangosteen are sought-after by the rest of the country. Yet these excellent, world-class products remain affordable and accessible to the locals on a daily basis. In Davao, the high quality of life does not come at a high cost.

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