Davao City has a total land area of 2,444 square kilometers and has 1,776,949 people based on the 2020 PSA Census of Population and Housing. The city is a home to Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) belonging to 11 ethnolinguistic groups. These tribes are the Ata, Iranun, Kagan, Klata-Guiangan, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Matigsalog, Ovu-Manuvo, Sama, Tagabawa and Tausug. They have rich culture and traditions that contributes to a vibrant and interesting metropolis.

Most of the 11 tribes depend their livelihood through hunting, fishing, trading, crafting, and cultivating agricultural products. To further enhance the livelihood of the ICCs/IPs, the Office of the Davao City First Congressional District and Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao will donate 320 units of Household Sewing Machines to the City Government of Davao.

The City Government of Davao through Peace 911 conducted a turnover ceremony for the 320 sewing machines on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 1:30 in the afternoon. The donation of the said equipment by the Office of the Davao City First Congressional District and Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao to the City Government of Davao, is in recognition and support in empowering the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of Davao City and enhancing their quality of life and economic development.

On behalf of the Davao City First Congressional District Congressman, Hon. Paolo Z. Duterte, Mr. Rodrigo Duterte II conveyed his profound appreciation to the Government of People’s Republic of China in Davao through Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen for her contribution in the purchase of the sewing machines. He also thanked the City Government of Davao for its assistance that it will give in the delivery and distribution of the sewing machines to the far-flung indigenous communities in Davao City.

Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen also shared her delight and expressed her hope that the donation of sewing machines would assist the people of Davao City while also strengthening the bond between the two countries. She acknowledged that this initiative was made possible through the efforts of Vice President of the Philippines, Hon. Sara Z. Duterte. Furthermore, she conveyed her gratitude to the Office of the Davao City First Congressional District and the City Government of Davao for their diligent work and contributions.

Davao City Mayor Hon. Sebastian Z. Duterte, conveyed his gratitude to Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen and Hon. Paolo Z. Duterte for their support to the ICCs/IPs of Davao City through the generous donation of 320 sewing machines. He also extended his appreciation to the Deputy Mayors of Davao City who were present at the event, Most Rev. Romulo Valles, Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, and Peace 911, for their dedicated efforts. The City Mayor emphasized their objective of establishing sustainable livelihoods in vulnerable and marginalized areas, aiming to empower and provide assistance to the ICCs/IPs in Davao City. He highlighted the city’s blessings, including its 11 tribes, rich culture, abundant land, and unity that serves as a unifying force among the Dabawenyos.

Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, the Peace 911 Focal Person and Assistant Chief of Staff of the City Mayor, extended her gratitude to the donors and announced that the Peace 911, which originally operated in the Paquibato District, will now extend its operations to cover the entirety of Davao City. Through the provision of 320 sewing machines, livelihood assistance, training, and market connections, the sewing machine project is set to achieve sustainability and contribute to the empowerment of the ICCs/IPs, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community.

Atty. Presto emphasized that while Peace 911 will provide assistance to the ICCs/IPs within the project, the true sustainability will be driven by own efforts of the 11 tribes. She expressed her optimism for full cooperation and partnership between the City Government of Davao and the 11 tribes of Davao City.