Editorial: Davao’s good and bad

Editorial: Davao’s good and bad



FOR many Dabawenyos, they were beaming with pride when President Rodrigo R. Duterte highlighted the best practices of the city in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

You can see how proud the President was of the best practices of Davao City that he mentioned. These were the Central 911, Liquor Ban, the Anti-Nuisance Ordinance (Karaoke Ban), and the Smoking ordinance.

“If you go to Davao, Davao has the best 911,” Duterte said in his speech.

The president also highlighted the city’s policy on building permits wherein it must be released within 72 hours. The policy was implemented in 2013.

We can safely say that Davao’s Smoking ordinance and Liquor ban are among the most popular ordinances of the city. When we talk about policies on smoking and liquor, Davao City comes to mind immediately.

We also have to point out that Davao City also excels when it comes to some of its social services. For example, it has the Lingap program, which is now being patterned nationwide. The city has also been recognized for Most Child-friendly city in the country for its programs and policies to protect and nurture children.

The city has a long list of practices and celebrate this. But we also have to do some reality check.

Historyani, a Facebook page popular for its memes, published a meme after the Sona. The meme states, “Proud kaayo si PRRD sa Davao ba tapos mga taga dabaw dili man lang manabok sa Pedestrian Lane/Overpass Maulaw man pud ta kay digong ani oi. [sic]”

As of the writing of this editorial, the meme has garnered 181 reactions with 74 being the laughing reaction. It was also shared 67 times and has received 24 comments. Most of the comments expressed similar sentiments to what was in the meme. Some also pointed out how motorists fail to respect the pedestrian lane.

It may seem funny that we are writing an editorial based on a meme from Historyani. However, this is also not the first time we highlighted the not so best practices being done within the city.

Up until this day the City Government still struggles to resolve the worsening traffic problem. By Davao City standards, traffic is becoming worse by the day. Coupled with the growing traffic problem, some Dabawenyos continue to disregard simple traffic rules. Illegal parking is rampant, people do not cross the pedestrian lanes, and speeding, among others.

Despite being recognized as one of the cleanest cities in the country, the city has a growing garbage problem.

While the President has highlighted the 72-hour policy on building permits, some are saying that this is not being strictly followed because they still have to wait for weeks before their permits are released.

Davao City has a long list of best practices that it can be proud off. However, Davao City is no utopia having some aspects that it needs improving on. Both the citizens and the city play part in these imperfections. It is also both of them that can collectively solve the issues to make the city a better place.

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