Davao

Location/Positioning

Located south of the Philippines, Davao has progressed into one of the country's prime agricultural centers. With Davao City being a convention city it has its very own Davao Convention Bureau.

The fascinating blend of people of ethnic mix of Muslims, Visayans, Tagalogs, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish with a number of indigenous tribes scattered in the central plains and western shores of Davao Gulf. The colorful artistic heritage of Davao stems from the rich culture of its tribe complemented by a plethora of nature's charms that make Davao an ideal place for a lifetime holiday. Like all the best spots around the Philippines, Davao has innumerable beaches with premium dive sites in the Gulf. Leisure activities include golf and diving while eco-adventure activities include mountain biking and trekking the highlands of Mt. Apo. Whether in the highlands or islands, resorts continue to sprout in mushroom-like clusters.

Davao is also home to rare orchids and sanctuary to the endangered Philippine eagle.

Getting to And Around

By Air
From Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro City. Also available are flights from East Asian neighbors like Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

By Sea
It is accessible from Manila 3 times a week and weekly via General Santos City.

By Land
Davao is accessible by land from other parts of Mindanao Highway via RORO.

Tourist Attractions

• Eden nature Park
• Philippine Eagle Nature Center
• Malagos Garden Resort
• Sul Orchids
• Tiboli / Mandaya Weaving Center
• Samal Islands
• Pearl Farm Beach Resort
• Mt. Apo National Park
• Pujuda Island
• Masao Beaches
• Kapalong Caves
• Crocodile Park
• Paradise Island Resort
• Kapatagan Summer Capital
  

Tourist Statistics

Visitor Arrivals

Present Capacities, 2004

Local Incentives

Davao City

Exempt from payment of:

• Building permit fees and other fees and charges;
• Mayor's permit fees, business sales taxes, fees and charges within three (3) years from the start of commercial operations; and
• Basic real property tax, accruing to the general fund, imposed under the Tax Code of Davao City for a period of two (2) years from the date of approval of registration by the Board

IGaCoS

• Graduated imposition on the Mayor's permit and licensing fees for three (3) years;
• Gradual implementation of the ten percent (10%) amusement tax; and
• Full tax exemption on environmental projects located in the environmentally critical zone.
• Incentives to registered enterprise . Amended ordinance # 2004-77, shall be fully exempted from payment of :
  1. Building Permit fees and other fees and charges - 100%
  2. Mayor's Permit fees, business sales tax and other fees and charges within 5 years from the start of commercial operations.
  3. Exemption from real property tax due the city, excluding the barangay share and SEF (School Education Fund). Under the tax code for a period of 5 years from the effectivity of real property tax assessment.

Davao del Sur

An enterprise registered under the Davao Del Sur investment Incentive Code shall be fully exempt for three (3) years from payment of:

1. a) Real Estate Tax of 1% of assessed value.
   b) SEF Tax of 1% of assessed value.
2. a) Tax on fix equipment, buildings and improvements which is 1% of the assessed value.
   b) SEF Tax on fix equipment, buildings and improvements which is 1% of the assessed value.
3. Transfer Tax of 50% of 1% of the cost of property.
4. Amusement Tax of 30% of gross sales.
5. Sand and Gravel Tax of 10% on the value, provided that the sand and gravel is a product of crushing and processing. Ordinary quarrying is not eligible for incentives.
6. Tax on service vans ranging from Php 100.00 - Php 500.00 per van per year.
7. Printing and publishing of 50% of 1% of gross sales.
8. Franchise Tax of 50% of 1% gross sales.

Davao Oriental - Mati

• Full exemption from Local Government Taxes, permit, fees and charges within
  2 - 5 years from the start of operation
  
• Exemption from the basic Realty Property Tax within 2 years.
  
• Tax incentives to Registered Enterprise - an enterprise registered under the Davao Oriental Incentives Program shall be fully exempted from the payment of
  1. Taxes fees and charges as imposed under Provincial Ordinance No.01-94 and Provincial Ordinance 03-94, as amended by Provincial Ordinance No. 13-94.
  2. Real Property Taxes accruing to the General Fund imposed under the Revenue Code of the Province of Davao Oriental.
     
     The foregoint tax incentives shall cover a period of one year (1) from the date of approval of registration by the herein concerned Board. However, this can be extended for the same period as maybe determined by the Board.
     
• Pursuant to Section 133 (g) of RA 7160, as implemented under Article 222 (g) of its implementing Rules and Regulations, the exemption shall likewise be extended to business enterprise certified by the Board of Investments (BOI) as pioneer or non-pioneer for a period of six (6) and four (4) years, respectively, from the date of registration.

Davao del Norte - Tagum City

Small-scale Investments

1. Mayor's Permit and Licenses
• 50% discount on the cost of the Mayor's Permit and Licensing of operation
• Regulatory Fees are not covered
2. Real Property Tax
   1. Land
   • 75% exemption - 1st years
   2. Building and Other
   • 75% exemption - 1st years
   3. Machinery and Other Equipment
   • 75% exemption - 1st years
3. Building Permit Fees
   • 75% exemption - 1st years
4. Zoning/Location Clearance
   • 75% exemption - 1st years
5. Electrical permit
   • 75% exemption - 1st years

    

Medium-scale Investments (Php 15 M - Php 100M)

1. Mayor's Permit and Licenses
   • 75% discount on the cost of the Mayor's Permit and Licensing
     Fee for the first three years of operation
   • Regulatory Fees are not covered
2. Real Property Tax
   1. Land
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   2. Building and Other Improvements
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   3. Machinery and Other Equipment
   • 75% exemption
   • 50 % exemption
3. Building permit
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
4. Zoning / Locational Clearance
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 1st year
5. Electrical Permit
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 1st year

    

Large-scale Investments (Php 100,000,001 and above)

1. Mayor's Permit and Licenses
   • 100% discount on the cost of the Mayor's Permit and Licensing
     Fee on the first three years of operation
   • Regulatory Fees are not covered
2. Real Property Tax
   1. Land
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rd year
   2. Building and Other Improvements
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rd year
   3. Machinery and other Equipment
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rd year
3. Building Permit
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rd year
4. Zoning/Locational Clearance
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rd year
5. Electrical Permit
   • 75% exemption - 1st year
   • 50% exemption - 2nd year
   • 25% exemption - 3rdyear
     

Tourism Development Directions

• Fine tuning of existing and development of new infrastructure facilities to enhance public appreciation of tourism undertakings.
• Tourism activity shall blend harmoniously with the cultural orientation of the region
• Bay development
• Highlands development
• Cultural and Urban Recreation and Sports development
• Development of hotels, apartments, villas, beachfront bungalows and theme parks.

Required Infrastructure Facilities

• Marina
• Road / Accessibility upgrading
• Improvement of services and utilities (e.g. power supply and communication systems)