DAVAO CITY — Non-governmental organizations presented their 8-point agenda to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and hoped that the new administration will have environmental priorities.
Mary Ann V. Fuertes, executive director of Interface Development Intervention (IDIS) said they forwarded the 8-point environmental agenda to President-elect Duterte and to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio through transition team spokesperson Peter Laviña Thursday, May 19.
Nick Solana of the Movement for Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organization and Network (MISSION) said they look forward to presenting and bringing to the national level their sustainability initiatives.
The 8-point environmental agenda recommended for the Duterte administration were as follows;
- Amend the Presidential Decree number 1067 (Philippine Water Code), allow devotion of assessment and monitoring functions, demand-supply management other beneficial use;
- Strengthen the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system by amending current implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
- Support for the advancement of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Societyp
- Formulation of the National Land Use Act
- Banning Aerial Spraying of Pesticides and Fungicides as an agricultural practice in all agricultural areas in the country
- Strengthen Policies on Renewable Energy and eventually, stop building new coal-fired power plants
- Abolish the Philippine Mining Act of 1995
- Increase green spaces in urban areas and assess the implementation of the National Greening Program
IDIS Advocacy Coordinator Chinkie Pelino-Golle said they hoped that the Duterte administration will approve the crafted environmental agenda, even at least 50 percent to cover the mining and water code issues in the city.
Zarate as DENR secretary
Meanwhile, Golle said that personally she approves of the rumored secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bayan Muna party list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate.
“He supports the IDIS environmental campaigns like the ban aerial spray by helping the farmers draft a bill in congress and also with his stand on anti-mining campaign here in Davao,” Golle said.
Golle hoped that Zarate would accept the offer.
“Why not Zarate? He witnessed how destructive the environmental issues here in the city and it will be a challenge also to the multi-national companies,” Golle said.
Green spaces
Golle also said that as of now the Sustainable Davao City Movement (SDCM) is still waiting for the public consultation on the Ordinance No. 0487-16 that talks about the removal of the 10 percent green spaces for land development projects in the city.
“There is a big possibility that it will be re-filed in the next council,” Golle said.
She said that the environmental groups would continue to oppose the removal of green spaces in Davao City. (Maria Patricia Borromeo/davaotoday.com)