THOUGH martial law in Mindanao has a positive impact to economy and tourism, it is no longer needed in Davao city. This is the most audacious declarations of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio after a “productive chat” with the ambassadors who attended the 5th Davao Investment Conference last Thursday. She promised an appeal to her father to reconsider and review the declaration of martial law in Mindanao to certain places only where peace and order is unstable.
Duterte-Carpio also announced that during her first term, Davao became the second best performing region in the country in terms of gross regional domestic product with 8.6 percent growth rate. And she continued that her governance will drive towards an insurgency-free region by 2020, reduce poverty and implement more infrastructure projects in the city including the improvement of sewerage treatment system.
Her petition to exempt the city from martial law will soon be formalized through a resolution of the city council requesting the president to exempt Davao city from the imposition of martial law. The order of the day for the new councilors will smoothly pass as expected with the leadership of Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte. Baste is the new Duterte in politics who sworn in last Thursday. He is among the third generation of the Dutertes handling Davao since its inception as one Davao region. The young-blooded Duterte promised stark dedication in performing duties.
Davao city, aside from having Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Baste Duterte also has Congressman Pulong Duterte to represent the first district. Congressman Duterte vowed to initiate legislations favorable to Dabawenyos in terms of livelihood, employment, educational opportunities, sustainable development across sectors, and more infrastructures. These are not only mere development and change but meaningful development and positive changes.
President Rodrigo Duterte who attended Baste’s oath-taking last Thursday recognized the Dabawenyo’s full support to his children with trust, confidence and belief that the Dutertes can bring Davao into a progressive city. The patriarch Duterte also reminded his children to remain humble and give chance to other potential leaders next to them.
With the leadership of three Dutertes in Davao and exempted to martial law, granting that the father decide so, what then can we expect? Well, the city looks sociable and cordial to attract more tourists than during the time when the two armored personnel carriers were positioned in front of the city hall. Second, we can expect influx of business investments with the improved infrastructures. And third, the long queue of political challengers will surface like mushrooms without the lightning and thunder, if the third generation of Dutertes fails to perform in the next two years.
abrigodann@gmail.com