The Chinese is a major part of the Davao City population. They contribute a lot to the city's economy and to recognize their contribution, a Chinatown has been designated covering several streets in the downtown areas. It is marked by three grand arch ways known as the Arch of Friendship, Arch of Peace and Arch of Unity situated at both ends of Magsaysay Avenue and at the corner of Sta. Ana Ave. and JP Laurel Ave.
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| Archway at Magsaysay Ave. |
It was then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who issued an Executive Order in 2003 declaring the areas of Magsaysay, Sta. Ana, Monteverde and Leon Garcia as Davao City's Chinatown considered to be among the biggest in the world owing to its area spanning 44 hectares.
Each year normally on two weekends before the Chinese New Year, part of Uyanguren from the Lizada corner going to Magsaysay Park is closed to traffic to give way to a street food festival and bazaar. The street is filled with stalls selling used clothing, bags and shoes or the so-called ukay-ukay as well as food and other household items.
Apart from the Chinatown, the strong presence of the Chinese population in the city can also be seen in the existence of several Buddhist temples. Among them, the Long Hua Temple along Cabaguio Avenue (where the Philippine Sakya Academy is located) is the largest in Davao and the most visited by tourists. Several Chinese schools are also in place and numerous businesses owned and operated by Chinese families.
No place in the country is without a Chinese and no one can deny that they play a significant role in the business community. Hopefully, people will follow their entrepreneurial spirit and their close family ties.
