UM Research and Publication
Center
2 months ago
As Christmas approaches, Davaoeños are looking to the future with optimism, unity, and confidence in their city’s direction. A recent online survey conducted by the University of Mindanao – Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPOP) reveals that hope remains strong among residents across Davao City’s three districts, with peace, safety, and progress emerging as their dominant aspirations for the season.
The survey, conducted from November 26 to December 12, 2025, gathered responses from 1,200 adult residents of Davao City through sponsored advertisements on Meta platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Using a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error, the study aimed to capture the hopes, wishes, and messages of Davaoeños for the city and its local government during the Christmas season.
Results show that more than three-fourths of respondents (76.1%) described themselves as “very hopeful” for Davao City this Christmas, while 22.4% felt neither hopeful nor not hopeful. Only a small fraction, 1.5%, said they were not hopeful at all—an indication of generally positive public sentiment.
Asked about what gives them hope, nearly half of the respondents (47.2%) pointed to peace and safety in the city as their primary source of optimism. Family ties, relationships, and personal blessings followed at 22.4%, highlighting the importance of personal and social bonds during the holiday season. Other hope drivers included economic opportunities and livelihood (7.5%), a clean, orderly, and festive environment (6.5%), and a strong sense of community spirit and unity.
When it comes to their wishes for Davao City, residents were clear about their priorities. Nearly seven in ten (65.08%) expressed their desire for the continued sustenance of peaceful and safe communities, reinforcing safety as a cornerstone of public well-being. More than half (54.27%) hoped for improved traffic and transportation, while 41.71% wished for healthier communities and better access to healthcare services. Economic concerns also featured prominently, with 34.92% calling for more livelihood and employment opportunities, and 25.88% emphasizing greater support for youth and education.
Despite these aspirations, confidence in the city government remains remarkably high. An overwhelming 93.7% of respondents said they are confident that the City Government of Davao can fulfill these wishes, while only 6.3% expressed a lack of confidence. This strong trust underscores a generally positive assessment of local governance among Davaoeños.
The survey also invited respondents to share short messages for Davao City, which were analyzed through a word cloud. Dominant words such as “progress,” “peace,” “unity,” and “growth” reflected a collective vision of sustained development grounded in harmony and stability. References to the future, development, and opportunities revealed a forward-looking and optimistic outlook, while mentions of safety, healthcare, and excellence highlighted the public’s expectations for effective governance and quality public services.
Taken together, the findings paint a picture of a city entering the Christmas season with hope, cohesion, and confidence. For many Davaoeños, peace and unity are not just seasonal wishes but enduring foundations for progress, growth, and a better future for all.
