The Davao City Muslim Affairs Office (CMAO) marked a significant upgrade to its community services on Thursday, December 3, 2025, with the official turnover of two new vehicles funded by the City Government of Davao.
Enhancing Services for the Muslim Community
Acting Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte facilitated the provision of a dedicated patient transport vehicle and a versatile multipurpose vehicle to the CMAO. Gabriel Nakan, the CMAO Head and Deputy Mayor, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, highlighting its importance in delivering quality service to Davao's Muslim residents.
Nakan explained the critical roles the vehicles will play. The patient transport vehicle will ensure that community members needing hospital care receive timely and dignified transportation. Meanwhile, the multipurpose vehicle will serve essential cultural and emergency needs, such as facilitating the swift burial of the deceased in accordance with Islamic tradition, a process that often requires same-day interment.
Building a Dedicated Response Team
Beyond the vehicles, the CMAO is planning a broader initiative to bolster its capabilities. Nakan revealed plans to establish a Davao City Muslim Responder Team under the CMAO's supervision. This specialized team would be trained to handle various emergencies, including floods and fires, providing a rapid, 911-style service specifically for the Muslim community.
To ensure the team is well-prepared, the CMAO has requested professional training from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO). The goal is to create a reliable point of contact where community members can call for immediate assistance.
A Step Towards a One-Stop Shop
For transparency and operational efficiency, the newly received vehicles will be stationed at the CMAO office located within Magsaysay Park. This location is also envisioned as the future base for the deputized responders.
Nakan shared the office's long-term vision: to evolve into a one-stop shop where all the needs of Davao City's Muslim population can be addressed readily and efficiently. This recent donation from the city government is a foundational step towards making that comprehensive service hub a reality.
