Davao promoted as premier destination during Int’l. gab

The focus of the International Sister City Summit may have been Baguio City but the Davao delegation headed by Vice Mayor Sara Duterte, along with councilors Rachel Zozobrado, Susabel Reta and Louie John Bonguyan were able to promote the city as a premiere destination not only in Mindanao but in the whole country.

The three councilors, who were directed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to represent the city in the Baguio Centennial Sister City Summit last August 31, were able to meet with the different foreign and local sister cities of Baguio.

“The Davao delegation made waves during the presentation of the cities’ best practices as we took turns in presenting the beauty of the city and the reasons why they should visit the city,” Council Committee on International Relations chair Rachel Zozobrado said.

The local and foreign visitors to the Sisterhood Summit were however impressed with the landmark legislations of the city. Among the legislations presented by the councilors are the Firecracker Ban, the Watershed Code, Tourism Code, Women Code and the No Smoking Ordinance.

“Several local and foreign delegates expressed their desire to visit the city after they were apprised of the city’s peace and order situation,” she said.

It was really a learning experience for all of us, she added, not only because we were able to establish contacts with other local and foreign cities with which we could form a sisterhood agreement with in the future.

“We were even surprised that some of the fruits and vegetables being sold in Baguio supermarkets came from Davao City,’ she said.

Zozobrado said the Davao delegation including the vice mayor, who wore an authentic Matigsalog tribal attire, participated in the Centennial parade. Duterte was escorted by Bonguyan, also wearing a Matigsalog-inspired top.