RENOWNED Filipino Architect Felino ‘Jun” Palafox Jr. said they already endorsed the 25-year Davao City Tourism Roadmap to the local government.
“Ask Baste,” Palafox, managing partner and founder of Palafox Associates, said on Friday, Aug. 1, during The Business Brief at NCCC Mall VP’s Ahfat Seafood Plaza.
Palafox said their work ended with the submission of the plan, so the next action should be with the city government.
However, he was mum when asked what was adapted by the city three years after the plan was turned over.
After three public consultations in 2022, Palafox officially turned over the roadmap to the local government through the City Tourism Operations Office.
During the turnover, the new tourism logo and branding, with the catchphrase “Definitely Davao,” were also unveiled.
The Davao City Tourism Master Plan constitutes architectural and environmental designs for future infrastructure projects in a bid to make the city an even more attractive tourist destination.
It included the proposed design for the Davao Waterfront Development of Sta. Ana Port, the Davao Chinatown Night Markets in Tomas Monteverde, Davao Mountain Park in Marilog, and the Eco-tourism Adventure Park at Catigan-Eden-Toril.
The initial designs entail a total budget of P32 Billion, distributed across three phases of the 25-year development process, with the first phase focusing on the development of urban tourism, with the Sta. Ana Waterfront Park and Chinatown Night Market projects.
Meanwhile, Palafox said the city will need a larger international airport and seaport to promote seamless connectivity.
“Much larger international airport, much larger seaport. Like Dubai, it started with a big airport and seaport, Singapore, the big airport and seaport. Kasi iyan ang gateway, and of course, seamless connectivity,” he said.
He, however, recognized the Underground Cabling Project of the city government in partnership with the Davao Light and Power Company. “That’s a very significant act. Yun makita mo may political will,” he said.
Palafox recommended more compact and vertical developments for the city as they are more environmentally friendly, aside from maximizing space in the urban area.
