GIVE TO NATURE – Adopt a Tree, Support a BantayBukid
Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, our next source of drinking water in Davao City, is feeling the effects of climate change with extreme heat and intense rainfall resulting in mature trees cut down, soil erosion in riverbanks and dried up creeks. We rely on our BantayBukid volunteers to conduct continuous reforestation efforts to maintain the health of our watersheds so we get continuous water supply. They do this by maintaining nurseries of native species, planting trees regularly, replacing seedling mortality and conducting weeding to help seedlings grow to full maturity.
New Butterfly Record in Davao City, Need Connector Parks to Support Urban Biodiversity
Two new species of butterflies were recorded here in Davao City according to a study presented at the first Sustainable Davao Research Symposium held on October 10, 2018.
2 new categories open for 2017 Lunhaw Awards
DAVAO CITY— The annual Lunhaw Awards are now open for applicants who advocate eco-friendly activities in the city. The 2017 Lunhaw Awards will have two new categories: outstanding environmental advocates and the barangay or local government environment initiatives. Ann Fuertes, Lunhaw co-organizer and also Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) executive director said the new categories seek to recognize environmental sustainability practices, with the aim of sharing the most creative initiatives to inspire change.
SP slammed on land use plan revision
Environment advocates yesterday frowned on the Sangguniang Panlungsod when they approved on third and final reading a measure amending the provision on green spaces in subdivisions under section 13 Article XI of Ordinance No. 0546 also known as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2013-2022. The amendment virtually reduced the 10 percent required allocation by land developers of green spaces in their properties measuring about one hectare, by incorporating such requirement in the 30 percent open space allocation in every development supposedly intended for roads and drainage facilities in subdivisions. This is contrary to the objective set up in the Davao City Development Plan for 1996-2021, which aims to increase green spaces in the city by developing open spaces and establishing small and tree parks in every barangay.
Move to amend Davao City’s land use plan slammed
ENVIRONMENT advocates criticized the amendments over Davao City’s land use plan, which they claimed will result in the reduction of the open space requirement for development. In a statement emailed to Sun.Star Davao, Interface Development Intervention (Idis) director Ann Fuertes said the move is a “short-sighted response that will have long-term repercussions on the city’s response to climate change.” “We need more green spaces and not a cement. Green spaces perform an essential function and that it serves as urban storm water absorption and filtration for the city,” Fuertes said.
IDIS to Apo Agua: Obey EIS rules
The watershed advocacy group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) reminded officials of the Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. (AAII) to follow the protocols provided by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) law in conducting public consultations. In a statement IDIS said it has received information from their partner communities in Gumalang and Tawantawan barangays that Apo Agua went ahead with its public consultation regarding its Tamugan Bulk Surface Water Treatment project last November without informing the Watershed Management Council (WMC) secretariat or its representatives to join the consultation. In a report submitted by the Watershed Multipartite Monitoring Team (WMMT) to the WMC, it recommended that the Apo Agua “conduct consultations in all barangays covered by the project including the IP communities with proper narrative and photo documentation to ensure proper documentary evidence and with the presence of the WMMT.”