- One of the 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia
- The Philippine’s Most Livable City (Asiaweek survey in year 1999 – Davao garnered 56 points and ranked 18th)
- One of Only Three Areas in World to have the Integrated Emergency Response System 911
- 1st Place in 2004 Cleanest and Greenest Highly-Urbanized City in the Philippines, and 2nd Place in 2001 to 2003
- Davao City was awarded the Cleanest and Greenest City in 1999 for its Clean and Green Program
- Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines in 1988 and 1999 due to its local government’s programs and initiatives directly benefiting the children
- Davao City recognized as the Most Competitive City to Do Business in the Philippines by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center and the Department of Trade and Industry
- The Gender Mainstreaming Program of the Davao City Government chosen as one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Programs in the Galing Pook Awards in 2004
- National Commission on the Rights for Women (NCRFW) Awarded Davao City for Gender Responsive Local Governance in 2005
- Davao City in the “Hall of Fame” winner in “Best Peace and Order Council” in Region XI
- Davao City proclaimed “Best City to Implement a Food Fortification Program” in Region XI in the Neophyte on Food Fortification Program (R.A. 8976) of the Department of Health
- Davao declared as Region XI’s pride for successful implementation of the Food Fortification Program by the Nutrition Division of the City Health Office. It was also chosen as the Best City – The “Melting Pot of the Philippines” – the Food Fortification Program Implementor in Region XI
- Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recognized as the Best City Police Office nationwide
- Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the 2005 Regional Literacy Awards, and 2nd Place in the 2005 National Literacy Awards
- National Nutrition Council of the Department of Agriculture awarded Davao City the “Green Banner” in recognition of the City Nutrition Committee’s exemplary performance in managing the nutrition program of the city
- Davao City received its 14th consecutive award having the country’s Best City Library within the administration of the City Government, making it the “Most Outstanding City Library in the Philippines”
- Davao City recognized the City Government of Davao for its invaluable support and cooperation towards the tax collection endeavor of this revenue region by ranking “1st in the OVERALL Tax Payments”
- Davao City chosen “Destination of the Year” by the Kalakbay Awards in 1997
- Most Outstanding Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and in the Asia Pacific Region
- Most Outstanding KBP Chapter in the Philippines
- Cleanest Air in the World – Member of the Clean Cities Coalition
- Davao City has won the National Literacy Awards 2013 Hall of Fame under the urbanized city category
