Fil-Chinese community wants Davao Chinatown as economic zone

Key players involved in the development of Davao City's Chinatown were toying the idea of declaring the area as economic zone.

Architect Daniel T. Lim of Kaisa Foundation, the implementing arm of the Chinatown Development Council of Davao, said the area could be a pilot project where income derived from it could be plowed back for its development.

He said the idea could increase the value of properties and Filipino-Chinese landowners would be encouraged to improve on structures and later on do high rise density structures.

But Lim said the improvement of the Chinatown was not only by its physical structure and beautification but also about drainage and other structures that could be done underground as well as on socio-economic concerns.

Lawyer Irene Dango-Lavares, also of Kaisa Foundation, said there has to be a master plan for Chinatown that will be worked out with the city government. She said this could be a contribution for the development of Davao City considering that they too were benefiting from the place.

With such improvement, Lavares said, little by little other concepts will be introduced.
She said plowing back the revenue to the area could be a scheme that any city could think of because it now had the authority as mandated in the local government code.

Lim said they could perhaps raise some funds for its initial development that the city government could put a counterpart.

Among the businesses within the Chinatown of Davao City are three hotels and another under construction and soon to be finished 12-story hotel.

“Businesses in the area are stores for paints, hardware, tire supplies, few on retail for China products and some on agricultural products like fertilizers and feeds. There are also big malls and fast food chain within the place,” he said.

Also along real estate are a condominium construction and building of dormitories.
Lim said a lot more were coming for dormitories as major universities were within the area or just a block away from Chinatown.

"These are signs that their presence is giving positive image and a lot of people are positioning themselves in the community which is a sign of confidence in the area," he said.

Lim also said within the Chinatown financial district were some 30 banks and with an estimate of P100 million each bank to operate this is something that Davao City in terms of money in circulation gets.

Right now, he said, there were about 4,000 Filipino-Chinese including those from mainland China that resided in Davao City and engaged in economic activities.

Lim also said there were some Fil-Chinese who were also poor which the foundation was studying on what assistance could be provided.

Like other nationalities, these Chinese businesses were attracted to come to Davao City because of good weather and rich opportunities.

He said these were not only from mainland China but also from other areas like Manila and Cebu.