19/05/2026
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ: ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐.๐. ๐
๐ซ๐๐ง๐ณ-๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐๐ค
On May 13, 2026, His Excellency Franz-Michael Mellbin, Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines, together with his technical personnel from the Royal Danish Embassy, paid a courtesy call on City Government officials at Matina Enclaves Residences. This engagement follows the Ambassadorโs previous courtesy visit in 2024, reaffirming the strong bilateral interest in advancing Davao Cityโs priority sectors, particularly agriculture, healthcare, and digital transformation.
The discussions focused heavily on agricultural sustainability, with the Danish delegation promoting advanced methods for sustainable hog production. Ambassador Mellbin noted that while the Philippines possesses an abundance of natural resources, there remains significant potential to optimize agricultural output through modernized practices. He expressed a commitment to sharing Denmarkโs expertise in healthier, more efficient livestock management to boost local yields. In response, Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte encouraged the delegation to explore the city's vast agricultural lands and engage with its indigenous communities to ensure inclusive development. To facilitate these efforts, the Mayor proposed a data-gathering collaboration with the City Agriculture Office and warmly welcomed Danish investments aimed at enhancing regional food security and long-term job creation.
The meeting also highlighted significant strides in public health. The Ambassador discussed a recently launched initiative by the NGO Handicap International, which provides life-saving insulin to children with Type 1 diabetes until they reach the age of 21. Recognizing the impact of this program, Mayor Duterte welcomed the possibility of establishing an office for the NGO in Davao City to make these critical services more accessible to local families.
Beyond agriculture and health, the Ambassador also explored urban management solutions, including the logistics of biowaste and the transition toward paperless transactions. Ambassador Mellbin further announced that a Danish IT delegation is scheduled to visit the Philippines soon to promote innovative digital solutions, a prospect the Mayor hoped would include a dedicated visit to Davao City to bolster local IT infrastructure.
Present at the meeting were Councilors Rachel Zozobrado, Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, and Ragde Ibuyan, alongside Ms. April Marie Dayap, Officer-in-Charge of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC), and Mr. Harvey James Lanticse, Officer-in-Charge of the City Information Office (CIO). Ambassador Mellbin concluded the visit by expressing his appreciation for the city's hospitality, stating that it is "always great to be in Davao."
