spmc

THIS report is a little bit intriguing.

Yes, our Davao City, long considered one of the fastest on economic growth in the entire country, is now only fifth among the highly urbanized cities in terms of annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates.

This is according to the latest result of the study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on the 2024 economic performance of the Philippines’ 33 highly urbanized cities. The result was released only last Nov. 18. The number one growing city in terms of its GDP is Puerto Princesa in Palawan, MIMAROPA Region, which raked in 9.8%.

Why do we say that Davao City’s performance is intriguing? Simple. We could not imagine Davao City being overtaken by Iligan City in Northern Mindanao, which ranked second with a growth rate of 8.8%.

Again another Mindanao city is ahead of Davao City. That is Butuan City, which garnered 8.7%. However, this not-so-welcomed feat has some very encouraging consolation for the people of the city. Davao’s GDP value for 2024 was at P574.72 billion or an increase of P42.19 billion to that of 2023 which was at P532.52 billion.

Moreover, Davao’s economic performance in 2024 of 7.9% growth rate outranked its perennial rivals. Imagine topping Bacolod City which posted 7.7 percent;  Makati City with a growth rate of 7.35%, Malabon with 7.2%, Iloilo with 7.1%, and Cebu City with its 7.0% growth rate!

And why are we intrigued? Of course, Davao’s physical metamorphosis observed on a year-to-year basis clearly speaks of fast increasing economic activities. In fact the city’s urbanization is already invading its once rural peripheries.

So what could have given Iligan City and Butuan the big break in order to outgrow Davao City in terms of its GDP?

We read over and over again the report of the PSA that came out in the local papers. Unfortunately, we did not find even an iota of explanation why small cities (in terms of land area) like Butuan and Iligan overtook Davao in economic growth as per their GDP.

We can only hope that the political differences between Davao City’s leaders and that of the national leadership has nothing to do with this less expected city’s economic performance based on the PSA report.

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This one is really good news not just to the people of the Davao Region but to residents of some provinces in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions.

We are referring to the report on the coming soft launching of the Kidney Transplant Institute at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. This facility has long been hoped to be realized.

After all, it cannot be denied that there are so many residents in the jurisdiction of Davao and peripheral regions who are suffering from kidney ailment. However, they just prefer to suffer in silence because of the absence of the said hospital facility.

And if there is, the likelihood is that it is in a private hospital and the pay is beyond the reach of the majority of those who need its services.

Now, with the soft launch the day after tomorrow, and the full opening, hopefully soonest, many are given hope that treatment, transplant or any intervention needed to help those with kidney ailment live sans the much feared health problem.

Without doubt, many are looking forward to the full realization of the institute.

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For the nth time, we are urging any member of the Davao City Council to take a look, even if cursory only, at the bridge that is supposed to span the creek that serves as boundary of barangays Catalunan Grande of the first district, and Tacunan of the third.

The concrete bridge would have served as replacement of an old one-lane bridge currently used by passersby. The old bridge could have been built many, many years back.

The replacement span, however, still does not have its approach at the Tacunan side and its approach at Catalunan Grande’s end has not been connected to the existing barangay road.

The span itself was finished some four years ago. Now the railings are destroyed even as the bridge has become the favorite rest site of goats. Maybe the council can initiate an investigation on what really happened and why has the bridge remained in that situation for so long.

Perhaps the councilors will be doing a very laudable service to the people if by having the project investigated, regardless of which agency implemented the same, the SP members will be able to enlighten the residents on what happened and who is accountable for the uncompleted project.

Or, are the local lawmakers just too callous or afraid to investigate?