A City Like No Other.
Welcome to Better Davao.
From the heights of Mount Apo and our 11 living cultural tribes to peaceful midnight streets and pure mountain tap water, Davao has always done things with pride and grit. Better Davao is an independent community space celebrating everything that makes our city special—while giving every citizen the transparent data to make our home even better.
Davao: Life Is Here
Ask anyone living in Davao why they stay, and you get answers you rarely hear in other big cities. People talk about walking home late at night without constantly looking over their shoulder, drinking clean water straight from the kitchen tap, and knowing an ambulance will show up for free if an emergency strikes. 'Davao: Life Is Here' isn't a tourism slogan invented in a boardroom—it's how daily life actually feels when local government focuses on basic safety, public health, and livability.
Discipline, Order, and Peace of Mind
Davao's peace and quiet didn't happen by accident. It is built on specific local laws that people actually follow: no smoking in public places, strictly enforced 30 to 60 km/h speed limits, a 1:00 AM curfew on selling alcohol, and a complete ban on firecrackers. Families, night-shift workers, and students can walk public streets with genuine peace of mind.
Central 911: Free, Instant Emergency Response
When someone collapses or a fire breaks out in Davao, you don't worry about finding cash or wondering who to call. You dial 911. A trained dispatcher connects you within seconds, talks you through first aid, and sends a modern ambulance with certified paramedics. Best of all: it is 100% paid for by local taxes, with zero charge for emergency medical transit.
Typhoon-Resilient Geography
Davao City sits comfortably outside the typical Philippine typhoon belt. Sheltered by Mount Apo—the highest peak in the country at 2,954 meters—and surrounding mountain ranges, the city enjoys stable, predictable weather. While supertyphoons frequently hit northern regions, Davao stays largely calm and secure year-round.
World-Class, Potable Tap Water
One of the best daily perks of living in Davao is something newcomers always find unbelievable: you can turn on the tap and drink the water directly. Drawn from natural underground aquifers beneath Mount Apo and supplemented by the clean Tamugan River bulk water facility, Davao's tap water is regularly tested and rated among the purest in the world.
Harmonious Home of 11 Ethnolinguistic Tribes
Davao is home to 11 recognized indigenous tribes—five Lumad groups and six Moro nations. Rather than treating indigenous cultures as historical relics, City Hall appoints an official Deputy Mayor chosen by each tribe to represent their people. Christians, Muslims, and Lumads live, work, and celebrate together in genuine brotherhood.
Fruit Basket & Agricultural Bounty
With Mount Apo's rich volcanic soil and the Davao Gulf right at our doorstep, nutritious fresh food is everywhere and affordable. Davao is the Fruit and Cacao Capital of the Philippines, producing world-renowned durian, sweet pomelos, mangosteen, and gold-medal artisan chocolates, alongside fresh seafood brought in daily.
From Sea to Mountain in Under an Hour
Davao gives you the best of both worlds. You have top-tier hospitals (SPMC), prestigious universities, and expanding tech hubs, without spending four hours every day trapped in traffic. On weekends, you can hop on a 10-minute ferry to the beaches of Samal Island or drive 45 minutes up into the cool pine air of Marilog.
Why People Choose to Live in Peaceful Davao City
“In Davao, discipline isn't about fear; it's about mutual respect. You can walk home late from work or university knowing that your neighbors and our 911 emergency teams are looking out for you.”
“When you turn on the tap here, you drink clean mountain water. When you buy groceries, the fruits and vegetables came from local farms that very morning. That is what true wealth and quality of life look like.”
“Davao proves that Christians, Muslims, and Lumads can live and work side by side in true brotherhood, sharing the same streets and celebrating each other's heritage.”
Davao City 12-Point Priority Agenda
The strategic municipal development blueprint designed to drive inclusive economic progress, modern infrastructure, and citizen well-being across Davao City.
Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety
Expanding targeted assistance, livelihood grants, and inclusive opportunities that empower vulnerable households to achieve financial independence.
Modern Infrastructure & Connectivity
Building resilient bypass networks, modern transit corridors, and flood-control barriers that support rapid urban growth.
Agricultural Modernization & Food Security
Strengthening local farmer cooperatives, produce cold storage, and sustainable agribusiness value chains across Davao's rural districts.
Environmental Stewardship & Watershed Protection
Conserving natural waterways, managing waste responsibly, and guarding Mount Apo's ecological sanctuaries.
Accessible Public Healthcare
Equipping district hospitals, expanding barangay health stations, and ensuring essential medicines reach every neighborhood.
Educational Excellence & Youth Development
Investing in modern public school facilities, scholarship programs, and vocational training to build a globally competitive workforce.
Business Growth & Investment Climate
Promoting fair market competition, streamlined business licensing, and attractive incentives for job-creating enterprises.
Public Peace, Order & Community Safety
Preserving Davao's recognized public security standards through community policing, smart surveillance, and drug prevention.
Digital Governance & Ease of Doing Business
Automating permit processing, adopting open data portals, and reducing bureaucratic delays for citizens and entrepreneurs.
Integrated Mass Transit & Traffic Management
Rolling out clean electric and Euro-standard bus fleets, intelligent traffic signaling, and pedestrian-friendly walkways.
Cultural Heritage & Eco-Tourism
Celebrating indigenous tribal heritage through festivals like Kadayawan while promoting responsible eco-tourism across the Davao Gulf.
Disaster Preparedness & Climate Resilience
Strengthening Central 911 dispatch capabilities, updating geohazard mapping, and training grassroots disaster response teams.
Davao City Budget (2024)
Explore how public funds are allocated across governance, infrastructure, and social services for the citizens of Davao.
View Budget BreakdownHigh-Level Breakdown
Landmark Civic Ordinances
Signature policies that shape public safety and discipline in Davao City.
Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance
Prohibits smoking, e-cigarettes, and shisha in all public places. Fines range from ₱3,000 to ₱5,000.
Liquor Ban Ordinance
Prohibits the sale of liquor and alcoholic beverages from 1:00 AM to 8:00 AM daily. Consumption in public places is banned 24/7.
Speed Limit Ordinance
Strict speed limits (80 kph, 60 kph, 40 kph, 30 kph, 20 kph) based on road type to improve safety. Enforced by CTTMO with fines up to ₱5,000.
City Leadership
The executive officials governing the City Government of Davao for the 2025-2028 term.
Sebastian Z. Duterte
Succeeded to Mayor on January 23, 2026 after Rodrigo Duterte's seat was declared vacant.
Rodrigo "Rigo" S. Duterte II
Succeeded to Vice Mayor on January 23, 2026.
Need Immediate Assistance?
Contact official city hotlines for emergencies, search and rescue, or administrative inquiries. Available 24/7.