ASSESSING EXCELLENCE: 5 OFFICES IN LGU MANOLO FORTICH UNDERGOES BENCHMARKING ACTIVITY

Exploring Davao City's history, culture, heritage, and art

The offices of Internal Audit Services (IAS), Municipal Tourism Office, Municipal Information Office (MIO), Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), and Management Information System Office (MISO) from the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich actively participated in a productive 3-day Benchmarking Activity and Year-End Assessment in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal from December 1 to 3, 2023.

The event provided an enriching experience, delving into Davao City's history, tourism, heritage, and culture through various benchmarking initiatives. Notable highlights included visits to significant locations, starting with the D’Japanese Tunnel—a 300-meter-long historical site dating back to the Japanese colonization in the 1940s. Dug out by war prisoners and housing vintage weaponry, the tunnel stands as a well-preserved testament to Davao City's past.

The second stop featured the Museo Dabawenyo at the Philippine Women’s College, showcasing Davao’s history, art, culture, and heritage. The museum displayed over 50 preserved objects narrating the story of the First People, Colonial Landscape, Revolution/Resistance, Reconstruction, Resurgence, Reinvention, and current perspectives. Various artworks, including paintings depicting Davao’s beliefs and the 11 tribes of Davao, were also exhibited.

The group explored the Tourist Rest Area of Samal Island at Poblacion Katipunan and the Philippine Eagle Center, where a variety of wildlife, including 36 Philippine Eagles, 10 bird species, 4 mammal species, and 2 reptile species, are preserved.

In essence, the Benchmarking and Year-End Assessment served as a valuable opportunity for learning, fostering connections, and building harmonious relationships among colleagues. It allowed the participants, who are also Manolenos, to gain insights into Davao City's unique history, tourism, heritage, and culture while connecting with its people.