LITTLE TOKYO. Some of the relics of Japanese settlement in Davao City in the 1900s still stand in Barangay Mintal. The city government is grooming the barangay into a tourism site with a starting budget of P12 million. (Photo taken from AIESEC Davao’s blog)
DAVAO CITY – At least nine firms have signified their interest to craft a P10-million tourism master plan for Barangay Mintal, a village in Davao City where relics of Japanese settlement in the 1900s continue to lure tourists.
Lisette Marques, City Tourism Operations Office OIC, said the number of vying firms was relayed to her by Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Zone Authority (TIEZA) board member Roberto Teo during the Asean Tourism Forum in Manila last week.
Marques, however, did not disclose the names of the interested parties.
In January, TIEZA called for consultants to submit their letter of interest in bidding for the P10-million tourism consultancy service for Barangay Mintal, also known as Davao’s ‘Little Tokyo.’
The parties were to secure eligibility documents and pay a P1,000 non-refundable fee. Deadline for the submission was set on January 19.
Based on TIEZA’s bulletin on January 8, the government agency would create a shortlist from those who submitted the expression of interest and eligibility documents.
Only three prospective bidders would be entitled to submit bids, according to the bulletin. This means the nine firms confirmed by Marques will have to go through an evaluation process in accordance to the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Under the said law, also known as Republic Act 9184, the shortlisted bidders will be evaluated based on their experience, personnel qualification, and current workload relative to capacity.
Bids in excess of the P10-million approved contract “shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.”
The map shows the present development in Barangay Mintal, Davao City. Some old Japanese markers, dilapidated old style Japanese houses including the Ohta Kyosaburo Monument and the Japanese Cemetery can still be seen in the area which are often visited by Japanese tourists. (photo from: http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/dcipc/newsimages/July-AugustNewsletter20141007124646.pdf)
Barangay Mintal, which is located in the third district of Davao City, is known as the ‘Little Tokyo’ during the World War II as the Japanese settled here from 1919 to 1945.
One of the Japanese historical markers that stand in Mintal until this day is the monument of Ohta Kyozaburo, a businessman who established the first Japanese-owned abaca company in the Philippines.
Historically, Davao was born out of fear of Japanese control, and was made into a chartered city with appointive officials instead of elective officials. Many feared at the time that if officials were elected, Japanese-supported candidates would win.
Marques said that with an average of 13,000 Japanese nationals visiting the city every year, developing Mintal’s potential as a tourism site is an investment worth banking on. (With reports from Mick Basa / davaotoday.com)
