Christopher Maboloc
A progressive city where people are law-abiding citizens and in which the government is always present to serve the interest of the public, this in short is how Mayor Sebastian Duterte explains his vision as a leader and principle of governance. A stroll in the city’s newly-improved Freedom Park, now a popular place of afternoon relaxation of the youth, reflects the kind of well-ordered society the young mayor desires for his constituents. People, rich and poor alike, feel safe and secure in their everyday life. Davao City, being the heart and soul of modern-day life here in Mindanao, is up to the task.
On top of Mayor Baste’s agenda is public safety and sustainable development. The principle of law and order is non-negotiable. Investors want peace and security. Political stability and equal opportunities, indeed, are vital. The expansive construction activities, with high rise structures in the city’s urban districts, new schools in the horizon, including National University and De La Salle University’s Mindanao campuses, are a testament to the trust that the business and private sector have given the Duterte brand of leadership.
The young mayor desires an inclusive and sustainable community for all. He wants both indigenous and local folks to benefit from the city’s growth. It is for this reason that he emphasizes visiting the barrios to bring government services closer to the people. Education is a priority, he says. This will require investments both in physical infrastructure as well in the training of teachers. He agrees that public school teachers should get scholarships from the city for their graduate education. The possible expansion of the city college into a university gives people a glimpse of what the future should look like. Such are a welcome development especially because to prepare for the future the government must invest in its human resources.
The challenges are ever-present. The city has grown economically and in terms of its demographics. Before the presidency of FPRRD, Davao City had a population of 1.5 million. After he left Malacañang, the population of Davao City has reached two million. The city is the center of education in the region. It boasts of the best universities and schools. For this reason, people’s mobility is critical. The changing weather patterns are also a concern, which naturally impacts urban centers like Davao City. But the city has the necessary tools to be able to overcome these things. It remains to be one of the most livable in the country and the whole ASEAN region.
Mayor Baste knows that the city is undergoing birthing pains as it transitions into the future. But the city is ready, with massive investments on public transportation, including the 73-billion-peso modern bus system being the most important, a project that was initiated by VP Sara Duterte; several big-ticket road projects and flyovers that are intended to improve people’s mobility; the 23-billion-peso Samal Bridge; and finally, in the field of modern health care, the construction of super health centers in the different districts. These projects are the evidence to the city’s rise and the young mayor taking the long view when it comes to the progress and human development.
People recognize the value and importance of the people-centered leadership of the Dutertes. Mayor Baste’s idealism is there. The country knows the great legacy of his father in transforming Davao City from that image of sparrow units roaming the city to a modern urban center that accommodates and welcomes everyone to its diverse societal culture. In fact, a good friend of mine, Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, a Japanese scholar from Waseda University in Tokyo, who visited Davao City as a speaker at a local conference, is amazed about the development he has seen.
The future does not only belong to those who believe. Creating it and the good life that our people deserve will require great courage and tremendous effort from everyone in terms of making the right choices. Two things matter here, leadership and people empowerment. Mayor Baste possesses the right mindset. The best part is that he is open-minded and understands the needs and concerns of this generation and the next. When his work is done, all the good things will speak for themselves.(Ryan Maboloc)