A valued private sector partner of the City Government, he inspires many Davaoeño entrepreneurs to invest in their own city, not just by doing business here but helping and meaningfully creating opportunities for the disadvantaged and the vulnerable sectors of their communities.

—Luzviminda Ilagan, Former Congresswoman and 2007 Datu Bago Recipient

Aboitiz Group Mindanao Adviser and former Davao Light and Power Company EVP and COO Art Milan was recently conferred with the Datu Bago Award for Business for his many invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the City of Davao.

The Datu Bago Award is the highest honor given by the city to its outstanding citizens who have aided in the growth and development of the city. The award was conferred to Milan by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and the Datu Bago Awardees Organization, Inc., last April 23 through a Conferment Ceremony held via virtual platform.

It is truly a great honor to be given this top award as a Davaoeño. I would like to dedicate this award to Davao Light & Power and Aboitiz Power for all their support that made this award possible. My sincerest gratitude to Montxu Aboitiz, Tony Moraza, Sabin Aboitiz, Manny Rubio, Jim Aboitiz and Anton Perdices whose trust and confidence were very instrumental in my conferment as a Datu Bago Awardee.

—Art Milan, Mindanao Adviser, Aboitiz Group

“Personally, this is really a recognition of Davao Light and the Aboitiz Group for its valuable contribution to Davao City’s growth and development. I am the second Datu Bago Awardee [in the Group], and the first is the late Alfonso 'Al' Aboitiz,” Milan added.

A true champion for Davao City’s potential as a thriving business and tourism haven, Milan served as President of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) in 2018 -2019 and currently serves as the  Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also a regular member of the Regional Development Council  (RDC) XI as Chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee.

His lifelong mission to uplift his beloved City was realized in 2019, when Davao City was ranked 3rd as one of the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized Cities in the country—the only city outside of Metro Manila included in the list.

“This award was made possible by the strong partnership between Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Davao City Government in creating awareness that Davao City is an ideal investment destination for both foreign and local Investors,” he acknowledged.

This achievement is made even more impressive when you take into account the instabilities that have gripped the region in recent years. “My greatest challenge was how to change the perception especially of foreign tourists and investors that Davao City is in the middle of a warzone. This was triggered by the negative travel advisories to Davao City and Mindanao by the different foreign embassies based in the country,” Milan lamented.

“The Davao Chamber and the Davao LGU had to engage in aggressive trade missions to targeted countries in Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea and Japan to create awareness and promote Davao City as an ideal investment destination,” the 2020 Datu Bago Recipient explained further.

Among his many notable contributions to his hometown, Milan was also instrumental in pioneering the Aboitiz-led Davao Light BEST Bus project which allows his fellow Davaoeños to enjoy the first fully electric, free-ride shuttle service in Mindanao, and making Davao among the first cities to pilot the concept. “The idea of the BEST Bus project came from AEV Chairman Endika Aboitiz and GET Philippines. When they thought of launching the project in Davao City, that’s where I came into the picture and was made as the point person of the project,” he shared.

After much coordination, the BEST Bus project was officially launched in December 2020, which Art explains is founded under three principles—Be Green, Be Digital, and Be Kind.  “The BEST Bus is a first of its kind concept in the country where no fare is collected from the passengers onboard.  The revenue will come from sponsorships, advertisements, and corporate subscription. Essentially, this is a case of the ‘haves paying for the have nots.’”