DCIPC News and Updates

A monthly E-newsletter of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center
Special Edition
July –August 2014
DCIPC News and Updates
DCIPC INITIATES CREATION OF DAVAO-JAPAN COUNCIL
The Davao City Investment Promotion Center
has initiated the creation of the Davao-Japan
Tourism Development and Investment Promotion
Council through a proposal submitted to the
Davao City Council’s Committee on Tourism
and Beautification for the enactment of a city
ordinance. However, the commitment and
support of the Japanese organizations in the city
is also required by the City Council before the
proposed city ordinance can be approved.
In a meeting with the representatives of the
Japanese organizations organized by the DCIPC
last July 31, 2014, Mr. Ivan Cortez, Officer-inCharge presented the draft ordinance and
likewise explained the rationale behind the
proposal. He also presented the proposed
composition of the council as well its strategic
objectives which include the promotion of
histo-cultural ties, educational exchanges,
tourism development, increase trade and
Japanese investments in Davao City.
On the other hand, the creation of the council is
also geared towards establishing a stronger
partnership with existing Japanese organizations
and other stakeholders in the city that will also
significantly highlight the contribution of the
Japanese in the overall economic development
of Davao City. As a result of this partnership,
added interest will be generated from
Japanese investors and businesses which will
later create more job opportunities for our local
residents.
Leading the attendees was Japanese Consul
Koichi Ibara, Consular Office of Japan in Davao
City. The meeting was also attended by Retired
Judge Antonina Escovilla, President/CEO of the
Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc.; Mr. Kazunobu
Sasaki, President, Davao Life Club; Mr. Akio
Ohara, President, Davao Japanese Association;
Ms.
Nelma
Nacion-Adachi,
Corporate
Secretary, PNJK Inc.; Mr. Haruhisa Fujimoto,
Manager, Nangoku Kurashi no Kai (Davao
Branch) and Honorable Ramon Bargamento II,
Barangay Captain of Barangay Mintal.
It was agreed during the meeting that all
documents relative to the proposal including
the pledge of commitment shall be translated
to Nihonggo for better appreciation by our
Japanese partners and based on the
recommendation of the City Council, the DCIPC
also requested the representatives of the
Japanese organizations to sign the pledge of
commitment to manifest their support and
favorable endorsement to the proposal.
It is expected that by the end of the year, the
Davao-Japan Tourism Development and
Investment
Promotion Council
will
be
established with the Davao City Investment
Promotion Center providing the technical
support and the Japanese organizations giving
their full support to the council’s plans and
initiatives.
1.
DCIPC Officer-in-Charge Mr. Ivan C. Cortez (seated center) presents the rationale as well as objectives of the proposed
Davao-Japan Tourism Development and Investment Promotion Council to the representatives of the Japanese organizations
during a meeting held last July 30, 2014 at the DCIPC conference room.
Leading the participants was Japanese Consul Koichi Ibara of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City (4 th from right) who
translated in Nihonggo the presentation of Mr. Ivan C. Cortez, DCIPC Officer-in-Charge on the proposed Davao Japan Council
during the dinner meeting hosted by the DCIPC last July 30, 2014.
2.
DAVAO CITY GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS “LITTLE TOKYO” PROJECT
In support to the proposed “Little Tokyo” project
in Barangay Mintal, Davao City, Atty. J. Melchor
V. Quitain, City Administrator issued a
memorandum dated June 25, 2014 to the
heads of the Davao City Investment Promotion
Center, City Tourism Office, City Engineer’s
Office, City Legal Office, CENRO, City Planning
and Development Office and Assistant City
Administrator Atty. Dwight Domingo designating
them as members of the technical working
group who will assist and oversee the
rehabilitation projects that will be implemented
in Barangay Mintal, Davao City.
A team from the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) visited
Barangay Mintal last May 7-9, 2014 and
conducted the initial site inspection. They also
looked into the possibility of supporting the
barangay in its tourism development project
which was initiated by TIEZA Director Roberto
Teo.
Based on the initial assessment, three (3)
projects were identified by the team from TIEZA.
One is a Gateway Development- a marker
which will be installed along the highway
indicating the boundary of Mintal from the
adjacent barangay. The area can also be
developed with basic facilities. Second is the
Directional signs for the historical sites. At
present, there are no directional signs leading to
the Japanese historical sites in Mintal. According
to TIEZA, it is essential that these are put up like
any common heritage site in the world to draw
attention and emphasize their importance. Third
is the Museum which will house some of the
artifacts, old photos, records of pre-war Mintal.
As a repository showcasing structure, it will help
preserve, protect and manage the Japanese
relics and vestiges. However, it was also
recommended by TIEZA that any reconstruction
of any structure to depict Mintal during
pre-war until the end of World War II for tourism
development should be coordinated with
Barangay MIntal, Davao Historical Society,
Philippine Nikkei Jinkai and other concerned
agencies.
Mintal, one of the 180 barangays of Davao City,
is a sprawling 600-hectare agricultural land
situated east of the majestic Mt. Apo and 15km
from the city proper or some 20 to 30 minutes
away via land travel. It belongs to the political
district of Tugbok under the 3rd congressional
district of Davao City.
The early Japanese migrants referred to Mintal
as Mintaro. Before the war, it was a place
predominantly peopled by the Japanese and
their Filipino employees. The Japanese built their
own houses, hospitals, schools, corporations and
structures in Mintal which has since been known
as “Little Tokyo” owing to the huge number of
unprecedented influx of Japanese workers and
investors during World War II. Historically, the
entire Mintal area was really a Japanese
community from 1919-1943.
Existing Japanese structures and remnants are
the Ohta Kyosaburo Monument and marker,
peace pole, canal irrigation system, Japanese
Cemetery, some dilapidated old-style Japanese
houses and some markers and obelisks of
Japanese nationals who died as residents of
Davao during the war. Every August, Japanese
tourists visit Mintal to celebrate the Iresai Festival,
an important Japanese tradition to honor their
dead relatives.
3.
The map shows the present development in Barangay Mintal, Davao City. Some old Japanese markers, dilapidated old-style
Japanese houses including the Ohta Kyosaburo Monument and the Japanese Cemetery can still be seen in the area which
are often visited by Japanese tourists.
Photo shows the tombstone for the Japanese doctor who
worked in Mintal. It is one of the six monuments dedicated
to the dead in the Second World War inside the Japanese
Cemetery in BarangayMintal. It was exclusive for the
Japanese when it was established in 1910. However, after
the war the cemetery was opened to the Filipinos as well.
4.
Photos show the Ohta Kyosaburo Monument and Marker (photo below) located inside Mintal Elementary School in Barangay
Mintal, Davao City. The obelisk (above photo) was erected in 1920 in honour of Ohta Kyosaburo, a Japanese entrepreneur
who was also known as “Father of Davao Development”.
5.
DAVAO CITY VIES FOR MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY LGU AWARD 2014
With the official nomination by the Davao City
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., the
City Government of Davao through the Davao
City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC)
submitted its bid to the Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) Most Business
Friendly LGU Award 2014 under the highly
urbanized city category.
The PCCI spearheads the annual search for the
Most Business Friendly LGU Award to commend
LGUs that have become successful in creating
an environment that is conducive to business.
This initiative is aimed at complementing the
efforts of the government to institutionalize
standards in delivering quality services to the
people as mandated by Republic Act 9485 or
the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
PCCI, being the largest business organization
and representative of the private sector in the
country, deems it fit to recognize LGUs in all
levels from the poorest to the wealthiest
municipalities, cities and provinces that have
exemplified outstanding efforts in instituting
good governance reforms to promote local
trade
and
investments,
transparency,
accountability and efficiency in delivering
business services to fuel up inclusive growth in
the locality.
The LGU Award adopts the slogan “What’s
Good for the Citizenry is Good for Business”. This
represents a framework for achieving
continuous improvement of LGU services to their
areas, benefiting both the business community
and citizenry.
The LGUs will be judged according to the
following criteria: 1) Trade, Investment and
Tourism Promotions; 2) Public-Private Sector
Partnership (PPP); 3) Quality Management
Systems and Innovation; 3) Inter-Local
Government Relation; and 4) Quality Customer
Service (for city and municipality only). The
period covered as a basis for the award is
continuing implementation of the criteria from
January to December 2013.
PCCC will screen all nominees and those that
will qualify as finalists will be formally invited to
the final judging on October 13, 2014. The
awards will be presented to the winning LGUs by
His Excellency President Benigno C. Aquino III
during the 40th Philippine Business Conference
which will be held on October 24, 2014.
Above photo serves as the cover page of the bid book submitted by the City Government of Davao to the PCCI for the Most
Business Friendly LGU Award 2014.
6.
Website : www.davaocity.gov.ph
Email: davaocityinvestmentpromotion@gmail.com
7.