DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has bid Dabawenyos “farewell” as she runs for the vice presidency in the 2022 elections.
Duterte-Carpio delivered her valedictory State of the City Address (Soca) on March 17, 2022. In her Soca, she highlighted the gains of the city since 2016.
Her speech highlighted the investments the city made in health, infrastructure, disaster response, children, social welfare, among others.
She said the city received 118 awards and recognitions from government and non-government organizations from September 2016 to February 2022.
“Twenty awards in governance and overall competitiveness, 20 in health and social services, 15 for fiscal performance and management, 12 in agriculture and the environment, nine for peace and order and security, nine for economic and business achievements and policies, eight for disaster and emergency efforts, seven in literacy, arts and information dissemination, six for infrastructure, six for employment, and six for tourism, for a total of 118 awards,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She pointed out how the accomplishments are not of the local government alone but “these are the accomplishments of all Dabawenyos.”
Duterte-Carpio said over the past five years, their tasks at the City Government “has been inspired and guided by the dreams, aspirations, sacrifices, and values that we all share together as sons and daughters of Davao City.”
“However, today — allow me to formally — and with a heavy heart — say farewell. Tuguti ko ninyo nga manamilit kaninyo. Nga mananghid kaninyo,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio said she has “been called to join the race for a bigger challenge.”
The mayor is running for the vice president position in the 2022 elections and is the running mate of presidential candidate former Senator Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr.
“This is a challenge that gives me the opportunity to spread my wings wider, to soar higher, and reach new heights — with the support of our fellow Filipinos — for our beloved country,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She said she is leaving “a city buoyed by a stronger economy, a stronger citizenry, with programs and services institutionalized to ensure continuity – a city that has so much more potential for greatness.”
Duterte-Carpio also expressed her gratitude to the Dabawenyos and the people she worked with.
“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the Dabawenyos. Your patience in letting me grow from a shy neophyte in 2007 to a confident leader today is a gift not all public servants are lucky enough to receive. You gave me wings and you taught me how to fly. Your love made me who I am today,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She said she was “buoyed by the indomitable spirit of the Dabawenyos” while serving as mayor.
“We have embodied strength. We have embodied resiliency. We have embodied courage. We rejected those who made us doubt in ourselves. We rejected those who told us that we cannot make it. We rejected those who wanted to see us on our knees defeated. As Dabawenyos — to surrender is not in our blood. Winning is in our flesh,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She added, “Dabawenyos desire the best and serving you is like serving a god that can never be pleased. My work gave me nightmares and mental anguish but it’s been an honor — a great, great honor — to have been chosen by you. And it’s been a pleasure to make not only memories with you — but also history.”
Meanwhile, the mayor expressed confidence that whoever becomes the next mayor of Davao City will be able to lead the city effectively.
“And I am confident that whoever will lead the city in the coming months will be able to sustain, if not surpass, what we have achieved, and take Davao City even higher,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Running for Davao City mayor in the upcoming elections are Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, lawyer Ruy Elias Lopez, Dr. Joseph "Hans" Elizalde, and Teodoro Pena Mantilla.