If you’ve stepped outside in Davao City lately, you’ve probably noticed the air feels a bit different. It’s not just the humidity. There’s this weird mix of "business as usual" and a looming sense of "how am I going to pay for this?"
Life in the Crown Jewel of the South is changing fast. Honestly, keeping up with news in Davao City Philippines feels like a full-time job these days. Between the political drama at City Hall and the literal ground shaking under our feet, there is a lot to unpack.
Let's talk about the elephant in the room first: your wallet.
The Shocking January Power Bill Surge
If you opened your Davao Light bill this week and nearly fainted, you aren’t alone. We are currently facing the steepest hike in electric bills in recent memory.
While the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) actually dropped transmission charges slightly—about 0.68 percent—it didn’t matter. Why? Because generation costs are through the roof. Market volatility is a nightmare right now, and new government-mandated charges are starting to bite.
Basically, we're paying more for the same amount of sweat. It's frustrating because the NGCP is only charging about 60 centavos per kWh for delivery, but the "pass-through" costs from suppliers are what's killing the average household budget.
Who is Actually Running the Show?
Politics here has always been a family affair, but 2026 has brought a bizarre "acting" game to the Mayor’s office.
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Here is the situation. Former President Rodrigo Duterte technically won the mayoralty in the May 2025 elections. However, with the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) situation and his detention in The Hague, he hasn't been able to actually sit in the chair.
As of November 2025, Sebastian "Baste" Duterte officially assumed the position of Mayor through succession. His nephew, Rodrigo "Rigo" Duterte II, is now the Acting Vice Mayor. It’s a transition that has kept the city stable, but the shadow of the ICC proceedings in the Netherlands remains a constant headline in local coffee shops.
Baste recently pushed through a ₱15.8 billion budget for 2026. That’s a 10% jump from last year. Most of that money—about 67%—is going into maintenance and operating expenses. People are asking: will we actually see that money in better roads and faster services?
Where the 2026 Money is Going:
- General Fund: ₱13.65 billion (The bulk of the city's daily operations).
- Development Fund: ₱2.028 billion (This is for the "big stuff" like hospitals and bridges).
- Office of the Mayor: ₱5.008 billion (A massive chunk, though actually 2.7% less than last year).
The Ground is Literally Shaking
On January 7, 2026, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off Davao Oriental. We felt it here as a "Strong" Intensity III or IV depending on where you were standing in the city.
It was a sharp reminder that we live on the Ring of Fire. Phivolcs initially had it at 6.7 before downgrading it, but the panic in the high-rise condos was very real. Speaking of condos, safety isn't just about tectonics lately.
There was a nasty shooting incident on January 15 at a condominium in Sasa (Km. 11). A 46-year-old unit owner allegedly shot a neighbor over a heated argument involving their kids. It’s the kind of news that makes you realize even the "safest city" has its breaking points when tempers flare in tight spaces.
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Big Infrastructure: The Bypass and the Bridge
If you’re tired of the traffic in Panacan or Ulas, there is some light at the end of the... well, tunnel.
The Davao City Bypass Road is one of the most ambitious projects in the country. We’re talking about the Philippines' first long-distance mountain tunnel. It’s designed to connect Toril to Panabo, effectively letting you skip the city center mess.
DPWH is racing against a June 2026 presidential deadline. They’ve also launched "Oplan Kontra Baha." Instead of just building more concrete dikes that don't work, they are finally focusing on desilting and clearing waterways before the monsoon hits. About ₱60 billion was saved globally by DPWH through better material pricing, and a chunk of that is supposed to fund 1,600 km of concrete roads this year across the region.
Crime, Ciggies, and "Bora-Bora"
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) hasn't been sitting idle. Just this week, they seized over ₱300,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes.
They are also on a warpath against "Bora-Bora"—those loud, modified mufflers that wake you up at 2:00 AM. They recently crushed nearly 300 of them. It seems small, but it's part of the "DAVAO Framework" (Discipline, Action, Virtue, Accountability, and Order) that Col. Mannan Caracas Muarip is pushing.
Is it Still Safe for Tourists?
Foreign travel advisories (like the one from Canada updated this January) still tell people to "exercise a high degree of caution" in Mindanao. They mention the risk of terrorism and kidnapping.
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But if you actually live here, you know the vibe is different. The Davao Region was declared "insurgency-free" by the government in 2025. The real "threats" most people face are petty crimes or getting scammed by people posing as DOH officials—a recent warning issued by the Department of Health-Davao.
What You Should Do Now
If you are a resident or planning to move here, the landscape is shifting under your feet. It's not the same city it was five years ago.
1. Audit your energy use immediately. With generation costs spiking, those aircons are going to cost you a fortune this summer. Consider solar or at least inverter upgrades.
2. Renew your business permits now. The renewal period for the City Tourism Certificate and general business permits ends on January 31. Don't wait for the last-week rush at Almendras Gym or the SP Building.
3. Watch the real estate in Toril and Mintal. As the Bypass Road nears completion in late 2026, property values in these "fringe" areas are expected to skyrocket. If you’re looking to buy, the window of "affordable" is closing.
4. Stay earthquake-ready. Keep your "Go Bag" updated. After the January 7 tremor, it’s clear the fault lines are active. Ensure your heavy furniture is anchored, especially if you live in one of the new mid-rise developments in Buhangin or Maa.
Davao is growing up. It’s getting more expensive, more crowded, and more complex. But despite the growing pains, it remains the economic heartbeat of Mindanao. Just keep your eyes on your electric bill and your ear to the ground.