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Singapore Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong, on a courtesy visit with Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte last November 11, 2022, commended Davao City’s growth while also ensuring Singapore’s support in the city’s and vowed to assist in the city’s housing problems, particularly for the informal sector.
The envoy said that Singapore, small in size, is always prepared to share knowledge and experience to Asian neighbors like the Philippines as they have lots of companies that offer business solutions and digitalization. He commended the city for its ‘ease of doing business’ policies.
Mayor Duterte was grateful of this but expressed his concern on the plight of Davao’s informal settlers. “Davao City as a growing metropolis is prepared to take off and welcome developments. But I would not want for our informal settlers to be left out. I am still looking for a model that will be feasible for the city,” says Mayor Duterte.
With this, Ambassador Gerard Ho assured that Singapore is willing to help in this concern, recommending that Singapore’s model for housing can be studied for this purpose. He added that their team is also looking at different housing options such as incentivizing settlers to move out, securing funding from international agencies like the ADB or replicating quality public housing models.
Singaporean Embassy’s Secretary of Commerce, Rachael Sum pointed out that parameters must be set as Davao can also look into coming up with a reserve fund from the city’s end towards improving the situation of existing informal settlers.
“We remain optimistic that this concern will be addressed comprehensively by the city but we welcome the technical assistance and help being offered by the Singaporean embassy on this matter,” said Mayor Duterte.
The Singaporean Ambassador was in Davao City from November 9-11 for some important meetings, participation in the Innovation Summit, and to meet with the City Mayor.
