DAVAO CITY: ON THE MOVE TO
PROGRESS
Then and Now |
Davao City: Then and Now is a story of a
community carved out of the wilderness over a
period of years. It deals with the community’s
early history (even before it was created into a
city); government organizations; economic
conditions; social organizations; and cultural
communities with unique people, having their own
peculiar personalities, progressing in all
directions and projecting their own identity as
Davaoeños.
When the Spaniards came in 1848, they saw a
community of Bagobos, Mandayas, B’laan, Mansakas,
Manobos, Atas, Tagacaolos, Guiangan and the
Moros. Oyanguren and his group built a Christian
settlement and a small chapel which was named
Nueva Vergara in honor of Oyanguren’s hometown
in Spain. In 1858, a military government was
established in Nueva Vergara and was named the
fourth district of Mindanao. Since that time on, Nueva Vergara became known by its native name,
Davao. It was recorded in 1890 that Davao had a
total number of 30,000 inhabitants, only 30
percent of which were Christians.
The economic condition of the people did not
improve at all during the Spanish regime.
Although Davao had a great economic potential,
no industry was developed. There was no
significant economic activity established then.
 The American occupation started with the arrival
in 1890 of Major Hunter Ligget. This gave birth
to a Military administration. It was during the
early years of this period that Davao was
noticed as having a rich potential in
agriculture development.
Even before the outbreak of World War II, Davao
was home to a big population of Japanese migrant
workers who contributed much to the economic
advancement of Davao through the development of
vast abaca plantations used in the processing of
hemp. Other agricultural crops include coffee,
rubber, and cotton.
1936: THE CREATION OF THE CITY
Davao was created as a city when then
Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo of Davao
sponsored a bill in Congress in March 16, 1936,
making Davao a chartered city. The said bill was
signed into law by President Manuel L. Quezon on
October 16, 1936. The formal inauguration was
held on March 1, 1937.
The coming of the Japanese in 1941 brought fear
among Davaoeños, and because of which, a big
population evacuated to the outskirts of the
city. When peace and order was re-establsihed
under the terms of Mayors Alfonso Oboza and
Donato Endriga, most evacuees came back to the
poblacion. Davaoeños were then engaged in “buy
and sell”, farming and government employment.
Schools in the city were opened and the Nippongo
language was taught to the students, side by
side with the National Language and English.
However, only few students attended classes.
Life was not in normal condition due to the
atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers.
After the Second World War, Davao staged its
march to progress. The principal industries then
were logging, copra, banana, corn, abaca, ramie,
mining, and fishing. When the logging industry
declined, banana production took over as the
leading export product.
The rest of the 80’s and the early part of the
90’s saw a vibrant and dynamic Davao City
teeming with economic developments as
investments poured into the city due to
favorable business climate brought about by its
natural advantages and the peace and order
condition.
From then on, Davao was recognized as the center
of commerce and trade in Mindanao. Industrial
and commercial establishments did business
domestically and internationally.
Today, Davao City is caught in the vast sweep of
urbanization that it is but proper for all
Davaoeños, be they natives or migrants, to be
proud of Davao City as one of the fastest
growing cities in the Philippines. |
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