DAVAO City Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz proposed on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, a review of the city’s existing investment code at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Ortiz, who heads the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, Trade, Commerce, and Industry of the City Council, said that the city has experienced significant economic growth and that her committee and the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) are looking into making it a priority legislative measure to revisit and amend the investment code.
“Ensuring that it remains relevant and responsive to the current and future needs of our investors and stakeholders, and guaranteeing that their investments will contribute to the city’s progressive growth and will ultimately benefit all Dabawenyos,” she said in her privilege speech.
She said that it is the responsibility of the local government unit (LGU) of Davao to ensure that the city leads in terms of economic growth and becomes a model of sustainable development. She added that she wants to take this opportunity to review and enhance the investment code to sustain the city’s economic momentum and secure a brighter future.
The councilor said that some of the amendments they are looking into include the creation of plantilla positions in the DCIPC, the office management structure, expanding the priority investment areas of the DCIPC, expanded fiscal reliefs for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), monitoring and visitorial powers of the DCIPC, and updating the application requirements.
Ortiz noted how the city, over the years, had the largest economy in Mindanao in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in their 2023 Economic Performance report, the highly urbanized Davao City ranked fifth among the largest urban economies in terms of 2023 national GDP.
She revealed that one of the contributors to the city’s economic performance is the growth of businesses and industries, and investments boosted job opportunities, infrastructure development, and increased the competitiveness of local industries, making Davao City a primary destination for investors.
However, she said that the business landscape in the city is constantly changing, which can be attributed to technological developments and shifting business demands that have led to the emergence of new economic sectors.
She then emphasized the importance of the LGU taking proactive measures in response to evolving economic demands, which would enable Davao City to sustain and even surpass its current economic standing.
Echoing Ortiz’s sentiments, Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. said that the city needs to further propel its economy, as he suggested that the item be referred to the Committee on Appointments.
Councilor Ralph Abella suggested the creation of an office to receive all applications in one place to ensure efficiency and prevent applicants from having to go from one office to another. This was then made into a separate motion.
The item was then passed and considered the first reading. RGP
