INTRODUCTION
I am delighted to be back here in Samal Island, which by virtue of Republic Act No. 8471, is now officially known as the Island Garden City of Samal.

It is a name that appropriately describes this island’s distinction as one of the main attractions of the province of Davao. This was affirmed by Samal Island’s recognition last year by the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Kalakbay Award as “the emerging destination of the year”.
A SELF-RELIANT ISLAND
RA 8471 merged and constituted the three municipalities of Babak, Samal and Kaputian in this island into one component city, with the seat of government here at what was once the municipality of Samal. With the creation of this city, Davao Province now boasts of two new “urban centers” — Tagum, the provincial capital, and this Island Garden City.

Cityhood, as we know, connotes a more urbanized and developed community. Samal island is fast developing and heading towards urbanization, especially because of its many tourist destinations. Hence, it may soon earn another description — that of being “an urban paradise”.

The important dimension of being a city is that it serves as a general-purpose government for the coordination and delivery of basic services. You can now formulate your own development plans and programs to promote the prosperity and general welfare of the community.

Likewise, you are now empowered to regulate business, as well as impose levies and taxes within your jurisdiction, and thus generate the resources you need to improve services delivery and accelerate economic growth.

All of these gain added significance because this city is an island unto itself. I, therefore, expect that your new status will motivate you to become a self-contained and self-reliant community. Yet, because you are still a part of the province, your progress here will further solidify Davao’s claim that when people now talk of Davao, they no longer mean the city but the province.
REALIZING SAMAL’S FULL DEVELOPMENT
The realization of that dream will depend largely on the full development of Samal Island as an exciting haven for tourists.

Two-thirds of Davao Province’s present 18 beach resorts are already found in this island. Another interesting facility, the Samal Casino Resort — which I am inspecting today — is scheduled to open soon. I was told that, when completed, this resort will have the largest and most modern convention and banquet center in Mindanao.

Tourism development is also a major concern of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) which is transforming Mindanao into an emerging economic force. BIMP-EAGA’s joint tourism development among areas of its participating nations covered by the sub-region can only enhance Samal’s development as an important tourist destination.

Moreover, Davao Province has the unique opportunity of being situated between two of the most rapidly industrializing centers of the country — the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro. This, in a way, further enhances your potential for growth.
COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Island Garden City of Samal should not only be a showcase of integrated tourism development but, more importantly, be an example of community-based cooperative tourism development through people’s participation.

The owners of the 250-hectare estate subleased to Ekran Berhad to set up the Samal Casino Resort are actually the agrarian reform beneficiaries in this island. This, then, has started the local cooperative’s venture into the corporate world. Local community participation also ensures that sustainable and environment-friendly approaches to implementing the project are adopted.

The short-term impact of this project is already apparent. Jobs in the construction of the resort and for its soft operations have been provided to local residents. And the city government will soon start earning income from tourism receipts, as well as tax income, in the resort.
UNITY AND COOPERATION AMONG OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS
All these should encourage more openness among our local officials and residents in viewing the island’s tourism development initiatives as beneficial to their community.

Now that Samal has become one local government unit (LGU), I expect all of its officials and residents to stay united and work together in realizing the full potential of this island. Through your cooperation and support, Samal’s image — not to mention Mindanao’s and the Philippines’ — as an important tourism destination will greatly improve and bring in more tourists and investors here and to the country.

In your march towards urbanization, however, let us always remember to maintain the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic progress. This may be a painstaking task but it is the only way by which we can preserve Samal Island’s blessings for the benefit of our guests and the coming generations.
CLOSING
In this year of the centennial of our independence, let us all recall the unity and courage shown by our revolutionary heroes in their struggle to attain the freedom we now enjoy and let those same values guide us in our quest for greater peace and prosperity. Let us participate in all our centennial events in order that we may imbibe the Filipino spirit of working as a team, becoming competitive and striving for excellence.

Foreign investors, like Malaysia’s Ekran Berhad, have answered our call to establish businesses in our country. Let us now heed the call of our heroes to fulfill our people’s destiny of greatness.

Kaya natin ito!

Mabuhay ang bagong lungsod ng Samal!

Mabuhay ang Sentenaryo ng Pilipinas!

Mabuhay tayong lahat!