A brief caveat — this is not a piece on politics, but rather one on the continuing development of the Davao Region, despite the current political landscape in the Philippines. Notably, in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SoNA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. laid out an ambitious vision for a more connected and inclusive Philippines.

However, the SoNA was criticized for making little or no mention of Muslim Mindanao, although I did hear snippets about the future construction of the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Project — a highway that would connect Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos. Although I’m excited about this highway, I was hoping there would be a revival of the Mindanao Railway Project — but to no avail.

A few days after the SoNA, I visited Davao City — a place I hadn’t seen in two years — for the opening of our new branch. A lot has evidently changed, and even the traffic has seemingly worsened. Davao is a rapidly transforming city, and some of the projects that were conceptualized and planned in the previous administration are now taking shape.

The Samal Island–Davao City Connector Bridge is reportedly 38 percent completed. Once finished, it will significantly reduce travel time between Davao City and Samal Island, remove the need to take a RORO vessel, and open the door to greater tourism and commerce. New resorts and residential properties have been cropping up in Samal Island, the most affluent one being the new Discovery Shores Samal.

Equally impressive is the work being done on the Davao City Bypass Tunnel, part of a larger bypass road project that aims to ease congestion in the heart of the city. From my plane window, I saw the entry and exit points of what should be the longest tunnel in the country, once completed.

Another noteworthy project is the Davao Coastal Road, sections of which have already opened to the public. Driving along its wide lanes offers a panoramic view of the Davao Gulf, with the road doubling as both a scenic corridor and a practical solution to the city’s growing traffic demand. It diverts vehicles — especially trucks — to pass along the outskirts of the city rather than through it, thereby reducing traffic gridlock in the metro.

What makes these projects remarkable is not just their engineering, but the fact that they were initiated under one administration and are now being seen through by another. In a time when continuity in government projects can be elusive, Davao serves as a model for sustained development, and the momentum has not been lost.

Despite the varied political dynamics at the national level, the developments in Davao show what is possible when vision is matched with execution. It’s a quiet but meaningful reminder that progress need not pause between administrations, and that regions like Davao deserve that continuity.

Davao today feels more confident, more connected, and more prepared for the years ahead. And if my recent visit is any indication, the city’s best days may still be on the horizon. Kudos to the administrations, both present and past.