Davao City Joins the Global Celebration of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2020
IDIS in partnership with the Ecowaste Coalition and International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) spearheaded the conduct of the Round Table Discussion of Lead-Safe Safe Ordinance of Davao City and other existing local and national policies. Councilor Pilar Braga, the main author of the Lead-Safe Paint ordinance discussed the highlights and ways forward of its implementation. Also present during the RTD were representatives from the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, Environmental Management Bureau XI, and reactors from various youth organizations in Davao City. Click here to read the Press Release on Lead-safe Paint PR.
IDIS, Partners Launch New Project to Save Heritage Trees in Davao City
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc. in partnership with International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and Ecowaste Coalition launched a new project entitled “Save Heritage Trees: Mapping the Urban Heritage Trees in Davao City through Citizen Science” which will run from October to December 2020. Click here to read the Press Release on Save Heritage Trees Project
IDIS Conducts Interfacing with National and Local Government Agencies on Non-Mettalic Mining in Davao Region
Since 2011, IDIS has been spearheading the conduct of interfacing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and line bureaus together with other national and local government agencies to discuss environmental issues and concerns. On this year’s interfacing, IDIS has again partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI and City Environment and Natural Resources Office and discussed Non-Metallic Mining in Davao City last October 29, 2020. The interfacing was participated by the Mines and Geoscience Bureau XI, Environmental Management Bureau XI, Davao City ENRO – ADD other organizations and office participated. Basalt, sand and gravel, limestone, and volcanic tuff are among the most common non-metallic minerals in Davao City according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI Mining Claims Examiner, Engr. Ronald Villanueva. In his discussion regarding Mining Engineering and Technical Guidelines and Mitigation Measures, he addressed the implications of mining, how quarrying should only be permissible with a permit, and what sample parameters and guidelines are to be considered in mining. Since mining is a pervasive and polarizing issue, DENR believes that it can lead to irreversible consequences and destruction. Thus, he reiterates the importance of conservation management, development, and proper use of the state’s mineral resources including reservations, watersheds, and lands of the public domain. Since 2018, there have been an increasing number of sand and gravel applications in different areas in Davao City where it is prohibited. Thus, there is also a growing concern for the environmental impacts of Sand and Gravel in the region. EnP. Lemuel Lloyd Manalo, IDIS Environmental Research Specialist discussed the harmful implications such as the flawed policies of its processes as well as extractive practices in the area. In the study, he surmised the need to regulate the city’s growing practices through the development of maps as well as imposing its need for local zoning ordinances to prevent the further degradation of these lands. Discussing the updates in non-metallic mining in Davao City, Engr. Melody Dapusala of CENRO stated that in the past three years, there have been issuances and stifling of operations in quarrying in various parts of Davao City. Through their quarrying monitoring team, they have issued a notice of violations as well as cease and desist orders in various districts in the City. Through these efforts, they have helped the City in regulating the issuance of approved quarry permits in the region. At the end of the session, several youth organizations, government agencies, and representatives from the civil society discussed issues on the implementation of regulated non-metallic mining in the city. All of which aspires to achieve a common purpose, a consensus in protecting the environment’s resources, to better not only the Davaoenos living standards as well as the entire country.
IDIS, Partners Discuss Plantations and Aerial Spray Issues
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) together with the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority, Sustainable Integrated Area Development Initiatives in Mindanao-Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development (SIMCARRD), Offices of Councilor Maria Belen Acosta and Councilor Ralph Abella, and officials of Barangay Sirib and Lacson, discussed issues and concerns on plantations and the revival of the Aerial Spraying Regulation in Davao City last October 23, 2020. The round table discussion tackled various issues concerning the operations of agri-business monocrop plantations like banana and pineapple and the resumption of aerial spraying practice in other barangays in Davao City. IDIS through Atty. Mark Peñalver discussed the highlights of the Supreme Court decision declaring the Ban Aerial Spray Ordinance of Davao City unconstitutional in 2016. EnP Lemuel Manalo also presented the highlights and policy recommendations of the study – Mapping of Banana Plantations in South-Central Mindanao conducted in 2019. FPA XI shared that there is a memo released mandating the use of drone for aerial spraying which will somehow manage impact and minimize pesticides drift but plantation companies are yet to adopt it because of the cost efficiency concern. The participants also discussed the strict and full implementation of buffer zones in plantations. The existing local and national laws require plantations to implement buffer zones in between plantations and other land uses such as residential, institutional and protected areas. Highlights of agreed action points include promotion of anti-aerial spray policy in affected local communities or barangays and lobby the same to their respective cities/municipalities. Further, the revival of Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) in plantations was also emphasized. The FPA suggested that the Barangay Officials will be deputized as local MMT, strengthen self-monitoring of plantations, and include the City Agriculture Office to monitor good and negative plantation practices. For this to be fast tracked, and Executive Order to be issued by the City Mayor was identified as a possible option. Chinkie Pelino-Golle, IDIS Executive Director, advised the barangay officials present to check their barangay health centers records with regard to the possible effects of pesticides and aerial spray to the health of their constituents. Barangay Officials were also urged to lead in drafting their own regulative resolutions and ordinances especially on the plantations risk management measures, land-use management and crop conversion regulations, exact corporate social responsibility from plantation companies operating in their respective barangays, come-up with list of incentives and benefits on both plantations and barangay, and mandate plantation companies to ensure proper installation of road and drainage systems. Finally, the Office of Councilor Ralph Abella, which is also the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture of the Davao City Council, committed to sponsor the passage of a policy that will address the issues and concerns on plantations in Davao City in accordance with the existing Organic Agriculture Ordinance, Watershed Code, and other related local and national policies.
IDIS Guidelines for Work and Field Activities
The declaration of General Community Quarantine allows full operation of the non-government organizations despite the shifting schedule and alternative work arrangements. These guidelines aim at ensuring the resumption of office work while protecting all staff against COVID-19 pandemic until public health emergency is lifted. Please read/download the Guidelines for Work While IDIS is implementing alternative work arrangements such as skeleton structure and work-from-home, we see the importance of continuing some field activities that will continuously promote environmental protection and management. However, there is a need to develop guidelines that will ensure the protection of both our employees and partners. Hence, these guidelines will be used as bases for the conduct of activities with partners, policy targets and networks in the field. Please read/download the Guidelines to Conduct Activity with Community Partners
PRESS RELEASE: Environmental groups in Davao join global brand audit 2020
PRESS RELEASE/10.05.2020 The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc., together with other environmental non-government organizations like Break Free from Plastics, Ecowaste Coalition, and Sustainable Davao Movement, Bantay Bukid and Bantayo Aweg volunteers, and barangay officials of Tawan-Tawan joined the river clean-up and global brand audit last September 26, 2020 at Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Baguio District, Davao City. Read / Download the entire PRESS RELEASE: Environmental groups in Davao join global brand audit 2020