A FIRST district lawmaker is pushing to ramp up bamboo planting as a long-term solution to address flooding and landslides in the city.
According to Councilor Nilo D. Abellera, who also leads the committee on trade, commerce and industry, he already requested the City Tourism and Operations Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to craft a sustainable program.
The planting activity will initially be implemented along the riverbanks to minimize floods and mudslides.
“The memorandum specifically encourages mining contractors to open bamboo plantations in 10 to 20 percent declared mining areas as a way of protecting the environment and downstream communities from landslides and other catastrophes,” Abellera said during the radio program ’Katikaran sa Konseho’ on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Jan. 28.
Abellera said the continuous rainfall in the past few days resulted in urban flooding and the rapid surging of rivers and waterways.
“Sa pagprotekta nato sa atong mga watershed, riverbanks. and landslide-prone areas, we are secured from disastrous inundations. Di ba karon, kadungog ta sa mga balita kung pila na kaadlaw sigeg ulan, dali ra kaayo mosaka sa critical level ang atong mga rivers and waterways, makatabang gyud ni sya og maayo in the long run (In protecting our watersheds, riverbanks, and landslide-prone areas, we are secured from disastrous inundations. Nowadays, we hear news about the continuous rains, and the rivers and waterways are rapidly increasing toward their critical levels, and this [tree planting] will really help us in the long run),” he said.
Aside from minimizing the impact of flooding and possible landslides, Abellera said that bamboo trees can also be used for livelihood programs.
“Kung dumami na rin ang mga kawayan, pwede na rin syang i-harvest and convert them into bamboo products, so manegosyo pa. Matabangan pa nato ang flooding problems nato diri sa Pilipinas (If bamboo trees will proliferate, we can harvest and convert them into bamboo products, so creating business while, at the same time, addressing flooding problems in the Philippines),” Abellera added.
Meanwhile, he said the plan is now in its initial stages by key government agencies.
“The effect will be realized later kay long-term benefits man sab ni sya. But we have to plan now so that we will get the fruits the sooner possible time (It is in the initial state right now. The effect will be realized later because it is a long-term benefit. But we have to plan now so that we will get the fruits the sooner possible time),” Abellera said.
