Former Davao City congressman Karlo Nograles has underscored the need to invest in youth development and education to ensure that young Dabawenyos are employable in various industries and are able to benefit from the city’s wealth.
“If we want to make our city’s development more inclusive, meaning that families and communities benefit from the great wealth that we are generating, we need to make our young Dabawenyos better equipped so they could be employed in high-paying and stable jobs in various emerging industries,” Nograles said.
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that while Davao City’s total economic output ranks among the top ten in the country, its per capita GDP has yet to make it to the top 10 of the nation.
During his term as congressman of Davao City’s first district, Nograles spearheaded scholarship initiatives that helped support thousands of students who wished to pursue higher education and technical/vocational training.
According to Nograles, “the blessings of the city should be felt by its people. Dapat walang maiiwan; dapat habang umaasenso ang Davao, umaasenso din ang Dabawenyo.”
The former chair of the Civil Service Commission bared his plan to expand scholarship and training programs to make education more accessible to young Dabawenyos.
Nograles emphasized that such support programs are necessary to give Davao City youth “every fighting chance to have a better future.”
He added that “investing in our youth is also an investment in our city.”
“Sino pa ba ang makikinabang sa pagbibigay ng training at educational opportunities sa kabataan, kundi mismo ang kanilang mga pamilya, komunidad, at ang ating siyudad. Having an educated and highly-trained pool of young workers will make Davao City an even more attractive investment destination,” said the former lawmaker.
During his term as congressman of the city’s first district, Nograles spearheaded scholarship initiatives that helped support thousands of students who wished to pursue higher education and technical/vocational training.
Nograles—one of the authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free tuition and other fees at state and local universities and colleges—pointed out “that a growing body of research emphasizes the strong link between education and economic progress.”
A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)—a leading American nonprofit research organization that analyzes economic trends and policies—shows a strong correlation between education levels and urban economic growth. The research found that cities with a higher percentage of college-educated residents experience stronger economic expansion, greater innovation, and higher wages compared to those with lower education levels.
“So investing in education is not just about improving individual lives—it is a proven strategy for building a more dynamic and forward-looking city, as it is a key driver of long-term urban development.”
