IN A simple but fitting ceremony, the people of Davao del Norte celebrated its 43rd Founding Anniversary with so much pride and enthusiasm.
Reelected Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario led public officials and employees, as well as multi-sectoral groups in commemorating the birth of the province on July 1.
The date also marks the division of the original Province of Davao in 1967 into the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental by virtue of Republic Act 4867.
With the theme, "DdN 43: Growing Outward, Reaping Reward, Moving Forward," Davao del Norte marked 43 years of building the solid foundation for solidarity and economic prosperity towards achieving greatness.
Del Rosario, whose feats in building vital projects that have greatly improved the quality of life of the Dabaonons, is focusing the annual fete on the gains of decades of transformation and growth, as the province speeds up to attaining its vision and goals.
After meeting the physical needs of his constituents, del Rosario is now keen on imprinting a sense of pride and belongingness of the people by putting human development at the top of his work list on his new term.
The governor will refocus on livelihood and employment opportunities, health care and education in order to enhance the freedoms and capabilities of the people.
Land of bounty
Davao del Norte is now one of the most progressive provinces in the Davao Region.
With a total land area of 364,056 hectares, Davao del Norte is now composed of the component cities of Tagum, Panabo and the Island Garden City of Samal, along with the municipalities of Asuncion , B.E. Dujali, Carmen, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro , Sto. Tomas, and Talaingod. These LGUs are comprised of a total of 223 barangays.
This year, the population of the province is estimated to reach 868,000. Cebuano is the most widely spoken language in the province since majority of the population descended from Visayan migrants. Other dialects spoken are that of the Boholanos, Ilonggos, and Ilocanos. Among the indigenous ethnic groups in the province are the Ata-Manobos, Mandaya and Mansaka.
The province is blessed with fertile agricultural lands, rich fishing grounds, mineral deposits and other natural attractions and resources.
Tagged as the country's "Banana Capital", Davao del Norte dominated the export banana industry with a staggering estimated value of P10.07 billion in 2007. It captured 46 percent of the Davao region's total banana production and 36 percent of the national output.
Other products of the province include rice, corn, coconut, durian, abaca, coffee, black chocolate, milkfish (bangus), tilapia, hito (catfish), crab, and shrimp, among others.
The abundance of support industries, vital utilities, quality infrastructure and its marked proximity to major port areas, including the Davao International Airport (DIA), makes Davao del Norte an ideal investment destination.
The province also continues to attract strong inter and intra regional tourism, as it gains strength on its label as an alternative tourist destination cited in the National Tourism Master Plan.
Colorful history
The Provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, together with the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur, used to be a single political subdivision simply known as the Davao Province.
By virtue of Republic Act No. 4867 signed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos on May 8, 1967, the original Province of Davao was split into three provinces, namely: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. These provinces now simultaneously celebrate their founding anniversary every 1st of July.
On January 31, 1998, former President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8470, which split the province into two, with the creation of the Province of Compostela Valley. Meanwhile, the Davao Province was renamed back to Davao del Norte.
Together with the creation of the new province, the capital town of Tagum was converted into a component city (RA 8472). The island municipalities of Samal, Babak, and Kaputian were also joined to form a component Island Garden City of Samal (RA 8471). The Municipality of Braulio E. Dujali was further created out of several barangays from Panabo and Carmen (RA 8473).
During the same year, Gov. del Rosario was sworn into office as the first Governor of the new Province of Davao del Norte.
The governor served the province for six years until his temporary retirement from local politics in 2004, when President Arroyo appointed him as Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers.
His decision not to run for reelection paved the way for Hon. Gelacio P. Gementiza to serve as governor of Davao del Norte from 2004 to 2007.
However, due to popular demand from various sectors, Del Rosario once again took his bid and won once again as governor in the 2007 elections.
Regaining back the glory
Governor del Rosario's first term saw the launch of the minimum basic needs (MBN) approach to development, which paved the way for the implementation of important socio-economic development programs and projects.
He was also In addition, as chair of the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), Governor del Rosario fast-tracked the implementation of major economic projects such as farm-to-market roads, agro-processing promotion and livelihood enhancement projects. From 2003 to 2007, more than P170-million worth of infrastructure projects were implemented to increase food sufficiency in the Davao Region.
His stint as President for League of Provinces, at the same time as concurrent President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines has brought him at the forefront of the important issues and concerns affecting all the LGUs in the country.
Armed with renewed vitality to set a clear direction for the development of the province, del Rosario brought along with him the RDR Wheels impact agenda upon his return in 2007.
The comprehensive platform stands for Roads and infrastructure development, Development of cooperatives, Reforms in governance and peace and order, Water and electricity development, Health care, housing, sanitation and social services, Education, culture and sports development, Economic development and environmental protection, Livelihood and skills development program, and Spiritual and moral recovery.
Among the greatest institutional reform he instituted includes the holding of People's Day every Monday - a one-stop-shop public service response where the governor and his department heads directly attend to the concerns and problems of constituents from all walks of life.
Unprecedented accomplishments
In pursuit of his impact agenda, Governor del Rosario has spent a total of P976.25 million worth of investments in pursuing all the thrusts, programs, projects of the province during the last three years.
Included in this staggering amount are investments on the component Project Noble (No Barangay Left Behind), an equitable resource allocation mechanism that ensures each barangay P1 million worth of projects.
The governor's local version of pump-priming the economy has put in place the construction of roads and bridges worth P83.5 million, public buildings worth P53.5 million, rural waterworks worth P52.3 million, rural electrification worth P23.5 million, and school buildings and other projects worth P8.3 million.
Complementing these initiatives is the governor's signature No Dead-End project that aims to link all the roads, especially the farm-to-market roads, throughout the province.
Davao del Norte scored the biggest breakthrough project in infrastructure development with the implementation of the P1.59 billion 85-kilometer Talaingod-Valencia, Bukidnon Road, which is set to further boost economic activities in the province.
Del Rosario further completed the multi-million coastal road from Carmen town to Panabo City in order to open up vast opportunities for the development of the coastal barangays of the province.