In a courtesy call, Mayor Sebastian Duterte warmly welcomed Ms. Zhao Xiuzhen, the newly appointed Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao.

Consul General Zhao expressed her gratitude for the city’s hospitality and for the opportunity to meet the City Mayor, saying her predecessor, former Consul General Li Ling already assured her of a smooth transition given the city’s history of friendly people and strong ties with China.

Consul General Zhao expressed her gratitude for the city’s hospitality and for the opportunity to meet the City Mayor, saying her predecessor, former Consul General Li Ling already assured her of a smooth transition given the city’s history of friendly people and strong ties with China.

Accompanied by Coun. Augusto Javier Campos the City Council Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Davao City Investment & Promotion Center Officer in Charge Ms. April Marie Dayap and senior staff,s head of City Tourism and Operations Office Ms. Jennifer Romero and City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse; Mayor Duterte suggested to the Consul to implement more programs focusing on poverty alleviation “as this addresses the wide equality gap for the Philippines as a third world country and which is mostly the area for the city’s foreign collaboration with other cities/states”. He also pledged to support Ms. Zhao Xiuzhen during her three-year term as new Consul General of China in Davao City.

One possible plan was also the resumption of Davao-Jinjiang flights, widely supported by both parties which can open vast opportunities for the locals in Davao for mutual trade partnerships and tourism.

China is currently working with local and national governments to push for the early landing of cooperation agreements on major infrastructure projects such as the Davao-Samal Bridge, the Davao River Bridge, and the Mindanao Railway Project.#

His Excellency Jarosław Szcepankiewicz, Poland’s Ambassador to the Philippines paid a Courtesy Call to Mayor Sebastian Duterte during the former’s visit to Davao last May 18, 2023. The Polish envoy was also here with Mr. Mark Ryan Juanitas, CEO of OneMark Engineering Technologies, Mr. Bartek Wasiewski, Mr. Miguel Santos and former Davao SPMC Chief Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, all with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, as Head, Business Development Manager and Medical Adviser, respectively.

Foremost on the discussion was the opening of a kidney transplant institute in Davao, which will be among the most advanced in the country. Dr. Vega added that the center will offer specialty care to help more patients not just in Davao but also in the Mindanao region as well.

The technologies offered by the Polish government to Davao also include water management solutions (from Polish Companies Symbiona and Nanoseen) where the city can specifically apply into our septage management system. In addition, Smart City Solutions (from Polish companies LUG lighting and Seedia) are also in the offing. On the latter, Mayor Duterte remarked that this is crucial for the city’s transport modernization and digitalization of some services by government offices and departments for the benefit of the Dabawenyos.

During the exchange, Ambassador Szcepankiewicz remarked that Polish technology is approved and promoted around the world and such is not limited to hospitals but also to further boost tourism and other development. There is actually a pending proposal for a Davao City Hospital (from ALVO Medical Solutions and OneMark Engineering) to further benefit the city and nearby regions and localities.

His Excellency Jarosław Szcepankiewicz previously paid a Courtesy Call to Mayor Sebastian Duterte last November 24-26, 2022 when he was also in the city to attend the Polish Film Festival at the Cinematheque Center Davao. As this is his second time to visit, both leaders re-affirmed their commitment for closer Davao-Poland cooperation especially in technology transfer, start-ups and digitalization, hospital technology, construction, as well as research and development.

The Philippines maintains an embassy in Warsaw and honorary consulates in Poznań and Wrocław, while Poland maintains an embassy in Manila. Poland also maintains honorary consulates in San Fernando, Cebu City and General Santos.

H.E. Luc Véron, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to the Philippines paid a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte last May 17, 2023, in efforts to forge bilateral cooperation and to discuss governance, job creation, renewable energy, and assistance to vulnerable populations, specifically in Mindanao.

The ambassador remarked that the EU’s support to Mindanao which has been affected by conflicts and population displacement is in institution-building towards sustaining the ‘peace process’ in BARMM. Moreover, he emphasized on pushing for initiatives towards a ‘circular economy’, remarking that as a developing country with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, the Philippines is uniquely positioned to leverage the opportunities presented by the circular economy and become a champion in sustainable business practices.

This was supported by Mr. Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation Section who said that the EU is willing to invest in technology for reducing plastic waste and WTE or waste to energy.

Mayor Duterte welcomed the offer and said this could be very helpful, especially in the government’s efforts in solid waste management.

Apart from renewable energy, Ambassador Véron expressed interest in the city’s food security program and agricultural products, particularly Davao’s cacao. “There is great interest as we will try to help how farmers can move up the value chain from their raw up to the final products”.

The envoy, who is visiting Davao City for the first time,will be attending the Mindanao Development Forum. He was also accompanied by Mr. Philip Dupuis, Head of Trade Section of the EU delegation.

The EU remains one the biggest foreign development partners in support of Mindanao and ranked as the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in 2019. Top products traded between the EU and the Philippines are dominated by machinery, telecommunication and transport equipment, chemicals, food products and electronic components.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte was inspired by the best practices of the Putrajaya City Government, particularly by its One Government Center and the Putrajaya Command Centre during his visit to Malaysia and envisions to establish the same in Davao City.

The mayor mentioed this during his courtesy meeting with Putrajaya Corporation President Honorable TPr. Fadlun bin Mak Ujud last May 12, 2023 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The Putrajaya Government Center in Putrajaya, Malaysia is home to several official buildings including the prime minister’s office, the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC), the Putrajya Command Centre and under key offices. While Kuala Lumpur remains to be Malaysia’s capital and premier financial and commercial center, Putrajaya is created as the new Federal Government Administrative Center.

The seat of the Federal Government administration was shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 1999. The city was planned as a Garden and Intelligent city. The City master plan incorporated a network of open spaces and wide boulevards, creating a modern yet fresh look for the Federal Administrative Capital.

Similar to the establishment of Putrajaya to decongest Kuala Lumpur, Mayor Duterte envisions establishing one government center away from the city proper that will host all government offices. This will greatly decongest the Davao City proper in terms of government transactions.

The mayor further envisions making the Davao One Government Center to be Smart and Green, which means it will employ the use of modern technology and be environmentally friendly at the same time. There will be considerable improvement in local government services and functions by using modern technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) in answer to various challenges including traffic management, flood mitigation, urban developments, and in maintaining peace and order.

Mayor Duterte was invited and led a delegation to Putrajaya composed of government officials to promote Davao’s Tourism and Investment, and to establish stronger relationship with the Philippine’s neighboring countries for the benefit of the city and the Dabawenyos.

Consul Ahmadulkuddus bin Husain of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Davao City facilitated the said visit in coordination with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center.

Together with the mayor are city officials including Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight P. Domingo, Chief of Staff Mr. Vince Jul Malicay, and Davao City Investment Promotion Center OIC Ms. April Marie C. Dayap. Also included are representatives from Davao’s business sector, Mr. Andre F. Bucu and Mr. Gabriel Nakan.

Among other things discussed during the meeting is the establishment of a two-way relationship between Davao City and Putrjaya. This discussion holds the potential for stronger trade and tourism relations with Putrajaya and Malaysia as a whole that can greatly benefit the city’s local economy.

Mayor Duterte and the Davao City delegation also had a tour of the Putrajaya Command Centre that serves as integrated operation centre that monitors the city safety, security, traffic flow, IT infrastructures and environmental sensors 24/7. Established since 2004, the Centre has been upgraded with the latest technologies in August 2018.

The Centre also linked to mini command centre located at Putrajaya District Police Headquater using fiber optic connection to ensure the whole system is running smoothly. Perbadanan Putrajaya is implementing a new connection to Putrajaya District Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia Station, Putrajaya Civil Defence Force and Putrajaya Hospital.

Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) or Putrajaya Corporation (PjC) is a local authority that administers the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and is under the Federal Territories Ministry of Malaysia. Founded in 1995, the corporation is responsible for public health and sanitation, waste removal and management, capital planning, environmental protection and building control, social and economic development, general maintenance functions of the urban infrastructure of Putrajaya.

During the Malaysia visit, Mayor Duterte also met with the Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir to discuss strengthening trade relations between Malaysia and Davao City.

To encourage Japanese businessmen to visit and do business in Davao, Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte personally addressed almost a hundred Japanese business representatives in Osaka and Tokyo; urging them to learn more about Davao City and discover what it can offer as a top tourism and investment destination in the Philippines.

Mayor Duterte led a delegation from the city composed of government officials and representatives from the private sector on a four-day travel to Japan, from April 24-27 for the purpose of promoting Davao to Japanese people as an exciting tourist destination and a feasible investment hub.

The Japan travel was initially planned for the Signing of a Sister City Relationship between Davao City and Sennan City. However, Mayor Duterte wanted to make the most of it and decided to include an investment and tourism promotions events as among the major activities during the trip.

Following the mayor’s instruction, the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) collaborated with Sennan City, the Philippine Consulate in Osaka, PTIC in Osaka headed by Commercial Counsellor and Director Mr. Michael Alfred V. Ignacio, PTIC in Tokyo headed by Commercial Counsellor and Special Trade Representative Ms. Dita Angara-Mathay, Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and the Philippine Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Mylene Garcia- Albano to organize an Investment & Tourism Roadshow in Osaka and in Tokyo.

The Osaka leg was held April 25 at the Sura Rinku Building and was attended by around 20 businesses from the Osaka prefecture. Among those businesses who attended were from various industries including retail, airlines, real estate, trading, manufacturing, tourism, transportation, and others.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo hosted the Tokyo leg of the Investment & Tourism Roadshow and Business Forum, attended by more than 50 businesses operating in Tokyo. Attending businesses represented a wide spectrum of industries including infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, real estate, transportation, food production, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Due to the mayor’s efforts, many attending Japanese businesses have already contacted DCIPC expressing their interest in visiting and arranging business meetings in Davao City.

”Strengthening relationships between French-Filipino communities here in Davao will foster mutual cooperation within the city which is an integral part of growth and development. Your city has great potential as an investment destination and with green hydrogen energy projects, development will be coupled by environmental sustainability.”

This was said by French Ambassador to the Philippines, H.R. Michéle Boccoz during her courtesy meeting with Davao City Vice-Mayor Atty. J Melchor B. Quitain on May 04, 2023 at the Davao City Investment and Tourism Promotions Building.

The Ambassador expressed interest in discussing matters of mutual interest of which public safety and security, green hydrogen energy and improving water systems in Davao are in the offing. “France is known for implementing sustainable environment practices and we will support such initiatives in Davao,” she remarks.

Ambassador Boccoz was also accompanied Mr. Mathieu Geze, President/Director of Hydrogène de France (HDF) Energy Asia who shared their company’s current initiatives in Mindanao. He mentioned combining solar power and green hydrogen technology to contribute significantly to the reduction of GHG or greenhouse gas emissions, as a clean way of generating energy. He added that this practice, when done in Davao can pave the way towards energy supply security.

Vice Mayor Quitain expressed his support in strengthening the Filipinos’ relationship with the Europeans and invited the delegates to bring their friends and families when they come back to Davao. Likewise, part of the ambassador’s itinerary is to meet with French nationals in the country based both in Manila and Davao to build relationships, and establish possible partnerships.

Also present during the Courtesy Call is Chairman of the City Council Committee on International Relations, Coun. Agosto Javier Campos; DCIPC Officer in Charge, Ms. April Marie Dayap, and City Information Officer, Harvey Lanticse.

H.E. Michéle Boccoz is in Davao City to meet with Davao City Officials, as well as partners and French nationals who are based in the city. She became Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines on February 10, 2021, to Palau on June 18, 2021 and to the Republic of the Marshall Islands on July 29, 2021.