INTERFACING Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) called the attention of Mayor Sebastian Duterte, to include several environmental issues with urgency in the State of the City Address (SOCA).
The Davao City-based environmental group issued a statement on Monday a day before the SOCA.
“We call upon Mayor Baste Duterte to address these pressing environmental issues in his address and to outline concrete plans and strategies to tackle them,” the statement reads.
The group raised alarm anew regarding the illegal selling of ancestral lands, rampant encroachment, and cutting of trees within watershed areas, especially in Sitios Kalatong, Tabak, and Tribal in Barangay Carmen, Baguio District, and Brgy. Salaysay, Marilog District should be halted.
“These encroachments and other activities have posed threats to degrade the water quality of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, the City’s current source of drinking water,” it added.
The group also advocated expanding and maintaining green spaces and parks not only to improve urban air quality but also to create more recreational areas for the residents.
Among the proposals include reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect by developing more new public parks, preserving urban forests, enhancing urban greenery, and beautifying streets and walkways.
Meanwhile, trees, avenues, streets, old houses, and buildings in the city with historical and heritage significance should be declared for their recognition and protection.
On waste management, the group urged the LGU to prioritize zero waste sound approaches and abandon false solutions such as the Waste-to-Energy Incineration project.
Enhancing segregation system facilities, segregated-based collection, composting facilities, Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), and supporting community-based waste management systems, are among IDIS proposals for effective waste management.
The group also expects to hear from the mayor updates on the project on enhancing mass transit, especially the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), including micro-mobility programs such as bicycle commuting, light mobility vehicles (LM), and especially walking.
Addressing the sufficient courtesy seating for Persons with Diverse Abilities (PWD), the elderly, pregnant women, and children were also highlighted in the call.
Meanwhile, for climate action & resilience, the group also expects updates on the City’s Drainage Master Plan–combining gray and green development and Nature-based Solutions in flood management.
IDIS also called on the mayor to develop initiatives to improve the city’s resilience to climate change and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
Highly flood-prone communities of the city, such as La Verna Hills, Jade Valley, Tigatto, Mandug, Buhangin, Maa, Bankerohan, Toril, Talomo, Torres, Matina Pangi, etc. were highlighted.
The group also expressed they wanted to hear updates on the shelter and relocation plan of the city, considering that many high-density residences and informal settlements still live within high vulnerabilities to disasters, according to the Davao City Local Climate Change Action Plan.
“We are hopeful that Mayor Duterte’s address will not only acknowledge these issues but also present a robust plan for action that will lead Davao City towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future,” the statement added.
