British Embassy in Manila Explores Partnership Opportunities with the City of Davao

A high-ranking official of the British Embassy in Manila, Philippines, recently paid a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, duly represented by Vice-Mayor Atty. J. Melchor Quitain Jr., as part of their initiative to visit local government units around the country and explore potential areas of cooperation. 

The courtesy meeting was attended by Mr. Andrew Bowes, British Embassy in Manila Political counselor, Ms. Noelle Agudelo, Political Support officer, and the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, Mr. Christian Cambaya, and held at Matina Enclaves, Davao City on February 17. 

Mr. Bowes explained that learning the city’s key priorities could help them voice their support on suggesting lifting travel advisories issued by their government against Davao and Mindanao.  The improvement of the travel advisory will help attract British tourists and investors to visit and explore Davao and the island. 

Davao City Vice-Mayor Quitain then emphasized that Davao City has been striving despite the challenges through the effort and collaboration of the private and public sectors.

Vice Mayor Quitain underscored that Davao City possesses fertile agricultural lands suitable for agri-business and production, which provides farmers with more livelihood opportunities and food in the market. He also emphasized that Davao has international direct flights, increasing industrial factories, and business conferences, which were also concluded as a “post-Covid 19” progress for the city. 

On the other hand, heavy flooding in some areas of the city, mass transportation, and traffic congestion, are some of the concerns that Dabawenyos continue to face. Vice Mayor Quitain stressed however that traffic could be a good indicator of progress as neighboring cities and regions regularly visit Davao City for leisure accommodation and other business transactions.

Mr. Andrew Bowes, Political Counsellor for the British Embassy in Manila, emphasized the United Kingdom’s (UK) strong interest in expanding investments in renewable energy—an area with significant potential for development in Davao City and the broader Davao Region.

With over 25 years of diplomatic experience across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe, Mr. Bowes said that the UK plays a key role in helping the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and human rights.

The UK and the Philippines, both outward-looking island nations, share a deep commitment to democracy, trade, investment, and multilateral cooperation through the United Nations. Beyond strong government-to-government ties, the two countries foster dynamic engagements across all levels of civil society.

In addition, the United Kingdom is currently the largest European investor in the Philippines, and most European tourists who visit the Philippines come from the United Kingdom, with about 90,000 visitors yearly.