THE AWARENESS level of Davaoeños on the Watershed Ordinance, particularly concerning best green practices, leaves much to be desired, the recent survey by the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) concluded.
The IDIS’ recent Ecological Policies Survey measured the citizens’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices that impact the environment. The group reached out to 180 total respondents using offline and online questionnaires.
Among the policies include 11 local ordinances: the No Smoking Ordinance; Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance; No to Single-Use Plastics Ordinance; Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinances; Releasing of Flying Balloons Ordinances; Watershed Code; Prohibition of Hiking and Regulating Recreational Activities within Watershed Areas Ordinance; Bike and Light Mobility Vehicle Ordinance; Lead-Safe Ordinance; Executive Order Reconstituting the Davao Lunhaw Awards; and Organic Agriculture Ordinance.
During the MinDA’s Habi at Kape forum on Aug. 30, Justin Pungyan, IDIS environmental research officer said they “have observed gaps among the policies, including the Regulation on Hiking and Recreational Activities within Watersheds Ordinance, such as lack of information dissemination, clarity and understanding, and no enforcing body to monitor.”
In line with this, Yvette Balayon-Mahinay, IDIS knowledge management officer, urged the local government units to promote and publicize recycling facilities in Davao City as there are locals willing to donate recyclable materials and learn about composting.
She also said the city has several recycling facilities, most from the private sector, that the government should support.
“Maghatag sila og drop-off points. Kay naa’y mga tao, nga willing maghatag sa ilang recyclables but wala kaayo access ang mga tao kung asa ihatag ang ilang mga recyclables,” Mahinay said.
Mahinay also urged tourists and vloggers to discourage the public from visiting resorts and doing recreational activities near watershed areas as these are strictly prohibited and protected areas.
