Hailed as the “King City of the South,” Davao City serves as the heart of trade, commerce, tourism, education and finance in the Southern Philippines. It is the country’s largest city in terms of land area and is a melting pot of diverse cultures and peoples. It is then a perfect choice to invest in Davao.
Taking pride in its favorable business climate, robust economy, rich natural resources and aggressive infrastructure programs, Davao City is making a name for itself as a thriving investment and leisure hub.
This highly-urbanized city nestled in the southeastern part of the island of Mindanao flourishes with its bustling cosmopolitan lifestyle without losing its laid-back rural touch. Davao City is also an ideal haven where one can mix business with pleasure – the convenience of an urban metropolis is perfectly complemented by picturesque views and culinary feasts. For this reason, both investors and tourists will find it best to invest in Davao.
Davao City was recognized as one of Asia’s most livable cities by the now defunct Asiaweek magazine. Aside from its high livability index, it was also named as the second most competitive city, next to Manila, in the highly-urbanized city category of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Awards last year. Davao ranked second in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure and placed fifth in resiliency, based on the data from the Department of Trade and Industry.
Global online property portal Lamudi also listed Davao City as the second most popular provincial city or real estate hotspot outside Metro Manila in 2020 based on overall page views of property seekers. In addition, Davao City won the Asean Clean Tourist City Award in 2018.
An avalanche of profitable business opportunities awaits you in Davao City, which is also known as the “Crown Jewel of Mindanao.” As per the city’s official website, its preferred investment areas are the following: agri-business, tourism, property development, information and communications technology and public-private partnership projects.
Other priority fields include light manufacturing, health and wellness, educational and sports facilities, transportation and infrastructure, environment protection or green projects and generation of new sources of energy. Incentive packages are also given to attract potential investors and open more opportunities for the economic growth. To help you decide, we listed down some of the reasons why you should consider to invest in Davao today:
3 Great Reasons to Invest in Davao
1. Davao City is a Melting Pot of Cultures And Peoples
One of the things that make Davao City vibrant and unique is that it fosters unity in diversity. This multicultural city is the home of 11 ethnic tribes: Ata, Iranun, Tagabawa, Klata-Guiangan, Matigsalog, Sama, Ovu-Manuvo, Maranao, Maguindanaon, Kagan and Tausug. They live alongside the local residents as well as the migrants from various places and walks of life. The hospitable Dabawenyos thrive in this welcoming city where different communities co-exist despite the differences in belief, culture and religion.
One way of celebrating the vivid culture of Davao’s indigenous peoples is by attending the Kadayawan Festival, a thanksgiving ritual to the Supreme Being “Manama” for an abundant harvest. Known as “The Festival of Festivals,” it attracts crowds of local and foreign tourists who wish to witness this colorful fiesta that serves as a tribute to the Lumad and Moro communities of Davao.
The business and investment activities in Davao are as diverse and dynamic as the inhabitants of the city, whose population reached 1,825,450 in 2020, based on the data from National Economic and Development Authority. Massive immigration from other parts of the nation was said to have caused the population growth of the city in the 20th century. According to NEDA, almost all the local residents are Visayans (Cebuanos and Hiligaynons) while the rest of the local population are indigenous peoples of different ethnicities collectively known as Lumads. Meanwhile, the Maguindanaons, Maranaos, Iranuns, Tausugs and Sama-Bajaus constitute the Moro groups in Davao. Other Asians have also settled and built small communities in the city like the Indonesians, Malaysians, Taiwanese, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and Indians. Also residing in Davao City are other foreigners such as the Americans and Europeans.
When you invest in Davao, expect diversity and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Davao City has a cosmopolitan lifestyle that is appealing to the expats because of its warm community, multicultural vibe with a global perspective and accessible urban living, thus, opening the city to more investment opportunities.
2. Tourism, Agri-Business and Other Sectors are Flourishing
Davao City is a major metropolitan area in Mindanao that features breathtaking locations, rich natural resources, eco-adventure attractions, wildlife experience, leisurely activities, shopping and food trips. It’s also a good venue for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). This gives travelers and potential investors a lot of reasons to explore what the city has to offer.
The Davao City Tourism Operations Office recorded around 2.34 million tourist arrivals in the city as of November 2019, according to city tourism chief Generose Tecson, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.
Domestic and foreign tourists as well as OFWs visit this part of the country for cultural immersions and outdoor excursions, paving the way for the growing number of resorts, nature parks, leisure places and restaurants in the metropolis.
This immense demand for tourism and recreational facilities presents a great opportunity for you to pursue investing in Davao. You can invest in Davao through hotels, accommodation facilities, eco-adventure and agri-tourism parks, museums, theme parks, trade centers, medical tourism facilities, mountain resorts and retirement havens.
Tourist hotspots are all over the city. “The City of Royalties” is home to the majestic Philippine eagle, also known as “haribon” or king bird, one of the world’s largest eagle species. Sadly, the country’s national bird is now critically endangered because of hunting and deforestation. Good thing there’s the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, the forest sanctuary of these endemic birds. It also offers educational tours and bird-watching activities to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
The kids and young at heart will also love to meet and interact with crocs and other wild animals in Davao Crocodile Park & Zoo, which houses Pangil, the country’s largest crocodile in captivity, as well as 72 exotic animal species like raptors, snakes, bearcats, monkeys, birds and other reptiles.
Mount Apo, a potentially active stratovolcano called the “grandfather of Philippine mountains,” is in the bucket list of many seasoned Filipino mountaineers. Climbing the highest peak in the country at 9,692 feet above sea level will reward you with magnificent sceneries of beautiful landscapes.
Adventure seekers and nature lovers can also go to Eden Nature Park, an 80-hectare resort of lush flora and fauna where one can see flower and vegetable gardens, butterfly pavilion, fish pond, deer park and bird sanctuary. Recreational activities include hiking trails, horseback-riding and swimming. There are also heart-pumping thrillers like the Skyrider, Skycycle, Skyswing and Skywheel.
There’s also the People’s Park, a 4-hectare cultural theme park that has a durian-shaped dome, gigantic eagle sculpture, mini-forest and dancing fountains. It’s where you can have a lovely picnic with the family, jog around the oval and gaze at the man-made waterfalls, fish ponds and large sculptures of indigenous people.
At the heart of the city, one can see the San Pedro Cathedral, a historical landmark and a National Cultural Treasure. It is the oldest church in the city and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao. The cathedral has a curved vinta-like roofing and a cross – its architecture seems to have a unique fusion of the Christian and Muslim features of Davao.
History enthusiasts can get to know Davao’s cultural heritage by visiting museums like the Museo Dabawenyo, which gives a glimpse of the city’s past from the Spanish, American and Japanese colonial era. It also has galleries that show artifacts and crafts of the indigenous tribes of Davao as well as the creative artworks made by local artists.
Fresh and appetizing seafood is served in MarinaTuna Seafood Restaurant with its signature 10-way tuna dishes like tuna sashimi, tuna kinilaw, tuna eye soup and tuna kare-kare. For a scenic view of the city, go to Jack’s Ridge Resort and Restaurant (whichused to be a part of the Japanese headquarters during the World War 2) and eat authentic Dabawenyo cuisines such as grilled tuna, sinigang, kinilaw, adobo and chicken and pork barbecue.
Those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can ride a ferry to a tropical paradise known as the Island Garden City of Samal. Fall in love with the crystal clear waters of Samal Island which has a lot of powdery white sand beaches, picture-perfect resorts, amazing snorkeling and diving spots, mariculture park and botanical garden. Other must-do activities are cliff diving, spelunking and hiking.
Aside from tourism, agriculture is also a formidable sector in Davao City. Its vast land, fertile soil and favorable weather make it a viable investment destination to those who want to focus on agri-business. This largely agricultural city is also known as the Philippines’ fruit basket with its bountiful harvest of local fruits such as durian, pomelo, mangosteen, marang, rambutan, lanzones, mango, banana and pineapple.
It also produces crops like cacao, rubber, coconut and coffee. The city has farms and plantations that supply products to local and international markets. The top export commodities include coconut, banana, durian, pineapple, pomelo, coffee and cacao.
Dubbed as the “Durian Capital of the Philippines,” Davao City is where heaps of these spiky tropical fruits are grown. Durian is a quintessential Southeast Asian delicacy famous for having a pungent aroma but is also adored by many because of its exotic taste. The “king of fruits” is also being made into durian candies, durian coffee, durian ice cream, durian crepes and many more.
Cacao production is also a major industry in Davao City, which was recognized as the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines” by Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary William Dar, according to reports from DA’s Communications Group. Based on the data from DA, Davao region accounts for 80% of the country’s total cacao production. The country’s first chocolate museum is also found in Davao City. Malagos Chocolate Museum is where one can learn about growing cacao and making homegrown chocolates as part of the tour at the 12-hectare nature-themed park named Malagos Garden Resort.
Organic farming, urban gardening, livestock and poultry production, agri-tourism and fish production are also being reinforced in the city. According to NEDA, fish products from the Davao Gulf like yellow fin tuna, shrimp, mudfish and crab give livelihood to the fishermen. Manufacturing is also a thriving industry in the city. There are manufacturing firms that make food and beverage, furniture, wood products, non-metallic mineral products etc. Some of these firms are agriculture-based.
To meet the growing demand for food and other products, investors are encouraged to venture in agri-business opportunities like livestock developments, aquaculture programs, post-harvest technologies, cold storage facilities, energy-efficient farming system, good manufacturing practices, and innovative production. This will lead to a sustainable development by generating more jobs and income for the people and contributing to the city’s economic growth.
3. Invest in Davao City with its Favorable Business Climate, Robust Economy and Major Infrastructure Developments
Through the years, businesses and institutions continue to blossom in Davao City, providing the necessary employment, goods and services for the people. It’s land area is immensely large with a sufficient supply of raw materials, skilled workforce, good weather condition and affordable utility rates, creating a suitable business environment for investors.
Aside from having access to the huge market of Southern Philippines, Davao City is also a member of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a cooperation program established by these four countries with the aim of promoting trade, tourism and investments through an improved flow of goods and services and the utilization of natural resources and infrastructure programs. Their common goal is to have a balanced and inclusive growth within the participating Southeast Asian countries and contribute to regional economic integration.
There were a total of 41,292 registered business establishments in this progressive city as of 2018. New investments in property development, tourism facilities, information and communications technology (ICT) and agri-business are also booming. Davao has 11 IT parks or buildings, 5 agro-industrial parks, 18 IT centers and 2 industrial business parks. It is also a prime destination for business process outsourcing (BPO) and ICT industries in the country.
Aside from the fast-growing land and commercial developments, educational institutions also thrive in the city where top schools such as the Ateneo de Davao University, University of the Philippines Mindanao and University of Mindanao are located.
Since Mindanao is the center of the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” projects, economic growth in Davao City is expected to surge even more. Big infrastructure programs comprise the modernization of the Davao International Airport, the country’s third busiest airport. According to the Department of Transportation, the P48.9 billion operate-add-transfer project should be completed in 2028.
There’s also the 18.99-billion Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project, which aims to propel trading and investments as well as strengthen Mindanao’s economic growth, according to the Public-Private Partnership Center.
Other infrastructure initiatives include the P18.66-billion Davao Public Transport Modernization Project that seeks introduce modern bus system in the city and the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, the construction of a 45.5-kilometer 4-lane bypass road that is set to cut the usual travel time from 1 hour and 44 minutes to around 49 minutes, according to Department of Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez, as reported by the Philippine News Agency. In addition, there’s the P26-billion Davao City Coastal Road Project that aims to address the traffic problem in the downtown area.
All these developments can help boost Davao City’s economic activity and attract more investment and business opportunities, especially in real estate as it is considered a residential hotspot in Mindanao. So if you wish to reap the benefits of its sustained growth, you may consider investing in an affordable condo in Davao.
ALL SET TO INVEST IN DAVAO NOW?
In the heart of Metro Davao, you will find the first and only vertical pine community in Mindanao: Camella Manors Northpoint, a British-Kiwi themed property that can make your dream cosmopolitan living possible.
Northpoint
The lush imported pine trees from New Zealand gives a lovely Kiwi touch to Northpoint Davao’s luxurious British architecture. In this 5,220-sqm condo village, you can relax, breath in fresh air and enjoy the health benefits of having these pine trees around, which brings about an average of 78,000 pounds of oxygen.
Northpoint Davao is only a 2-hour flight away from Manila and a 15-minute ride from Davao International Airport. Strategically located at JP. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City, this pine estate condo is a “10-minute community,” where everything is accessible from the business hubs, places of worship, health centers, universities, malls and a future commercial strip of its own.
For your peace of mind, Northpoint Davao also has a solid bedrock ground. This means that its soil structure has a foundation that can resist a 7.2 magnitude earthquake!
Wake up to the marvelous view of nature and cityscapes. From the top floors, you can even gaze at the beautiful backdrop of Samal Island. Enjoy the amenities and perks of condo lifestyle like the salinated pool, kiddie pool, wellness area, sky courts, atriums, kids’ playground, clubhouse terrace, verdant landscapes, nearby tourist spots and a 24/7 security.
Northpoint Davao also has an old heritage house inside its project area where you can treat yourself and your loved ones to a fine dining experience with a historical vibe.
Potential returns for investments are high because of its prime location in Southern Mindanao’s regional center. During the Philippine Property Awards 2016, Northport Davao was also recognized as the Best Residential Development in Davao.
Northpoint Davao has five towers and the units are ready for occupancy. Please click here for more information about the property.
Camella Manors Frontera
Camella Manors Frontera is another affordable condo in Davao that you can choose to invest in for that perfect mix of city and suburban life. With The Frontera, you will experience top-notch frontier living with a sophisticated, nature-inspired ambiance and a resort-oriented community.
The 1.8-hectare project is now open for official reservations and is set to to be completed in 2023. It will have six 8-storey buildings with 143 units per building.
The Frontera is accessible for both local and foreign visitors as it is only a 2-hour flight away from Manila. The Frontera is found at Tigatto Road, Buhangin, Davao City, which is close to leisure and lifestyle centers. Major infrastructures, churches, hospitals, schools, malls, parks and tourist spots are also within reach. Lavish amenities await you in The Frontera such as the swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness gym, function hall and 24/7 security.
Buying a real estate property in a rising business hub is a wise choice. You can take advantage of the Vista leasing services and rent out the property as a viable income generator. Ongoing infrastructure projects near the condo can cause the land value in the area to appreciate. For inquiries and reservations, you can visit the official website of Camella Manors.
