Panabo City Hall and Freedom Park

Two Civic Anchors

Panabo’s civic center is strategically divided across two main locations in the downtown area. The New City Hall Building, located along the National Highway in Barangay J.P. Laurel, is a modern building with multiple floors that handles the city’s daily administration, from business permits to social services.

It is the main service center for the city’s 40 barangays and has been a critical coordination center during the regional emergency responses of June 2026. Next to it is Freedom Park and the Panabo Multipurpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center.

Locals call it the Freedom Gym. It is in Barangay New Pandan.

This complex is the main outdoor space for ceremonies and concerts. The gym is one of the largest in Davao del Norte and can hold 10,000 people.

A Panabo City Information Office letterhead lists the New City Hall Building on the National Highway in J.P. Laurel, Panabo City 8105. A DepEd Panabo memorandum requested the Panabo City National High School Band and Rondalla to perform at LAMDAG on August 27, 2025.

The Art of the Banana Capital

The main feature of Freedom Park is a fountain sculpted by artist Kublai Millan. The design has large banana stalks and leaves.

This is a tribute to Panabo as the "Banana Capital of the Philippines." The sculpture shows the importance of the banana industry, which grew after TADECO was established in 1950. The park area around the fountain is beautifully landscaped with walking paths and shaded benches, creating a practical town square.

On weekends, the plaza transforms into an active public space where local vendors set up stalls, and residents gather for informal walks and photography. The nighttime illumination of the Millan fountain has made it one of the most shared images of Panabo on social media.

History: From Wild Boars to Silver Jubilee

The name "Panabo" has a longer history than it looks, derived from the Aeta phrase "pana-sa-baboy," which refers to the bows and arrows once used by indigenous hunters to catch wild boars in the area. Originally a small settlement that was part of Tagum, it became a municipality in 1949 and eventually achieved cityhood on March 31, 2001.

This long journey from a frontier hunting ground to a global agricultural leader is a central theme of the city’s identity. Throughout the year, the complex hosts commemorative events, including the "Queen of Panabo" pageants and civic recognition programs.

LAMDAG and Public Information

The Freedom Gym often hosts the LAMDAG Government Information Exhibit. "Lamdag" means "illuminated" or "enlightened" in Cebuano.

The exhibit brings together agencies like the BFP, PAG-IBIG, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Office. PIA described LAMDAG 2025 as a government information exhibit where offices set up booths with IEC materials, interactive activities, personnel for questions, and feedback forms. Residents can go there to get services and information directly.

It is the main stage for the Binulig Festival every October, which celebrates the banana harvest with elaborate street dancing and agricultural trade fairs. The overlap of school performances, sports activities, and government programming within the space makes the City Hall complex a busy multipurpose civic space. The covered venue can host school performances, government exhibits, sports activity, and civic celebrations without needing a full indoor arena.

Practical Visit Notes 2026

The City Hall is open for administrative services from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Freedom Park is accessible to the public throughout the day and into the evening.

The best time to visit for photography is late afternoon, or after dark when the banana fountain is fully lit. There is no entrance fee for the park or the gym during public events.

To reach the complex, take any tricycle within the Panabo city center for a standard fare of ₱15 to ₱20. If you are coming from Davao City, commuter vans and buses stop regularly at the Panabo landmark area, just a few minutes’ walk from the City Hall gates.

The area is secured and remains one of the most orderly parts of the city for evening walks. PIA explained LAMDAG through the Visayan word "Nalamdagan," meaning enlightened, tying the event to public information and citizen awareness.