Mayor Inday Sara Duterte welcomed the lifting of martial law by end-December as this, she said, would be beneficial for the economy of the Davao City.
Mayor Inday said that the lifting of martial law would entice more foreign tourists and investors to the city.
She admitted that the declaration of martial law negatively affected the city when foreign governments issued travel bans – including Canada. She said the travel bans had made tourists and investors apprehensive about coming.
“There is a negative connotation in the international community when it comes to martial law. Through the lifting, by the end of the month, our standing in the international community will improve,” Mayor Inday said.
She said that the effect of the declaration of martial law was more on foreign investments.
“When it comes to local investment, there is no problem. But in the international community, the declaration of martial law and travel ban coming from their governments really affected us,” Mayor Inday added.
However, even with the lifting of martial law as President Rodrigo Duterte would not be extending it, the City Council passed a resolution asking the Philippine National Police to continue the suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) for a year.
Mayor Inday said the suspension of PTCFOR will be an effective measure in maintaining the city’s peace and order even without martial law.
“As what we see, this is the only thing that we need to control our peace and order situation in the city,” she said. CIO
