Airport
The Davao International Airport is the busiest airport in Southern Philippines. Expansion and modernization began in 1998. Today, the DIA has begun accommodating wider-bodied jets such as Boeing 747’s.Davao City serves as the primary agricultural and trading center of Mindanao. It is already an international gateway with the opening of the Davao International Airport. The City is known for its exotic fruits like pineapples, bananas, pomelos, marang, mangosteen, and the odoriferous but tasty durian,which are sold very cheaply when in season. Davao also produces export-quality handicrafts, and also sells antiques, artifacts from Mindanao's tribes, Indonesian batik, traditional Muslim brass items, and costume jewelries. It has become Philippine's major source of products for export.

Visas
Visitors with valid passports may stay 21 days without a visa. Hong Kong and Taiwan passport holders require a special permit, obtainable from Philippine embassies and consulates.

Currency
The Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos. Next to the peso, the US dollar enjoys wide acceptance. The currency code is PHP. It stands for Philippine peso. Bank notes come in P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1000 denominations, while coins come in 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5 and P10.

Credit Cards
Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins.Major international credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, resort, restaurants, shopping centers, among others.

Tipping
Bellhops expect a tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians, and porters. Most hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge on top of the government tax. Tipping 5 15% of the bill appropriate if no service charge is included. P5 to P10 for bellboys, porters and like. 10% service charge is usually added to the bill. If not, 10% of the bill is adequate for the waiters.

Useful Numbers
Embassy of Australia Tel: (632) 750-2850.
Embassy of the Republic of Austria Tel: (632) 817-9191 & 4992
Embassy of Belgium Tel: (632) 845-1869 & 3811
Canadian Embassy Tel: (632) 867-0001
General: 816-7116
Visa: 816-7271 to 72
Visa/Consular: 816-7348 to 49
Social Secretary of the Ambassador: 894-2929
Chancery: 813-7755
Police & Fire: 757 or 116
Emergence No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728
Directory Assistance: 114
National Operator: 109
International Operator: 108
Direct Dialing Assistance: 112

Electricity
Most areas are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles,Over 600 mw. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm.220/250 volts, 50 cycles AC, 110V adapters available upon request.Davao has a 220-volt electrical system. Some hotels provide 110-volt electrical system. You may inquire from hotel front office about the availability of transformers.

Health Risks
Health care in davao is cheap and good compared with most of Asia. If you have medical problems it easy to get good quality attention. Ask for advice about which doctor/hospital to go to from a dive shop; they are often more current than the guest houses or resorts. Visitors are advised to drink bottled or boiled water. Tap water in the hotel is potable. Bottled drinking water is also available in the hotel room, compliments at most hotels. Some doctors suggest getting your hepatitis shoots and staying away from uncooked fruits and vegetables. Some also recommend staying away from pastries due to how milk is pasteurized in the PI. But all interested in visiting should consult your own personal doctor for advice and recommendations.

Time Zone
+8 GMT. Philippine standard time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime. EDT +13 hours.

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Business Hours
Banks and Government offices:
Banks are usually open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
Offices:
Government and private offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; though some may open on Saturday, the weekend is generally considered day off.
Shops (Hours vary):
Most shops open at 10:30 a.m., closing at around 7 p.m. Lunch hour is usually from noon to 2 p.m.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb Esda Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan).
20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
5 May Labour Day.
16 Jun Independence Day.
31 Aug National Heroes' Day.
2 Oct Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb Esda Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)/Maundy Thursday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
4 May Labour Day.
15 Jun Independence Day.
30 Aug National Heroes' Day.
21 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

Climate
Davao City is considered the world's largest city in terms of land area which is 2,443.6 square kilometers. It has an estimated population of 1,006,84 accounting to 19% of the entire Southern Mindanao region. It is the second biggest urabn market within the East ASEAN Growth Polygon.

Clothing
Lightweight summer clothing is sufficient. Jackets may be used for slightly more formal occasions. A light suit would be appropriate for business. Clothes for men and women is much like the West. Wear naturalfibre, lightweight clothing. You'll feel more comfortable. Bring shorts, hat sunglasses, bathing suit, insect repellent, flashlight, sun block cream, tough shoes for walking, rubber slippers for the beach. Pack tissue paper in your purse as public toilets almost never have any.

GDP Growth Rate
GDP - real growth rate: 4.5%

Inflation
3.1%.

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Exports
quality handicrafts, and also sells antiques, artifacts from Mindanao's tribes, Indonesian batik, traditional Muslim brass items, and costume jewelries

Trading Partners
Japan, the United States of America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Industries
Agriculture, fishery and forestry industries.

Teledensity
Main lines in use: 6.98 million; mobile cellular: 11.35 million.

Government
Republic form of Government.

Geography
Davao City is the capital of Region XI or the Southern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Considered as one of the fastest growing regions in the country, it consists of the provinces of Davao, Davao Sur, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur and South Cotabato an the cities of Davao and General Santos.

Population
Philippines: 91.1 millions
Davao: 951 000

Ethnic Groups
Malay mixed with Chinese and Spanish ancestry.

Languages
Dialects Spoken davaoano, other dialects include Tagalog, Chinese, Muslim, majority can speak and understand English.

Literacy
93% (Province-wide) 97% (davao City). 96%.

Religion
Roman Catholic 83.83%, Islam 2.36% Protestant 4.50%