PRESS RELEASE: IDIS Launches Ecological Profiling Urban Wetlands Study in Davao City, Calls for Partners
PRESS RELEASE/02-18-2021 The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc. announced its intent to conduct a study on the ‘Ecological Profiling of Urban Wetlands in Davao City’ and called for partners to help them in the conduct of the study. The study is expected to commence this month of February until June this year. The study aims to address the absence of strict local zoning laws related to urban wetlands within the city centers. Urban wetlands are often subjected to rapid reclamation and conversion brought about urbanization, land development, and the increase of built-up areas in Davao City. The study also aims to contribute towards a livable and disaster-resilient urban environment through preserving wetland landscapes and resources by multi-stakeholder citizens in Davao City. Read / Download the entire PRESS RELEASE: IDIS launches Ecological Profiling Urban Wetlands Study in Davao City, Calls for Partners
PRESS RELEASE: IDIS Lauds City Council’s Call for the Decentralization of NWRB’s Water Management Functions to LGU
PRESS RELEASE/02-15-2021 Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga called for the decentralization of the National Water Resources Board’s (NWRB) function in her privilege speech during the 19th City Council’s session on February 9. Councilor Braga pointed out that the City legislated a landmark ordinance, “Water Resource Protection and Management Code for Davao City” in 2001. The ordinance, which Braga herself authored, aimed to protect, conserve, manage, and develop the city’s water resources. The ordinance also regulated the manner and extent of utilization of Davao City’s waters, to ensure adequate and potable water supply for its present and future generations. Read / Download the entire PRESS RELEASE: IDIS lauds City Council’s Call for the Decentralization of NWRB’s Water Management Functions to LGU
Two Zero Waste Management Projects Launched in Davao City
Tacunan, Davao City – In Davao City, 50-60% of household waste is biodegradable, 20-30% is recyclable, which is why there’s a call to transform and recycle it sustainably. On October 1, 2020, the local government unit of Brgy Tacunan entered into a memorandum of understanding forging partnerships with Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM) represented by Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability – IDIS, championing its cause to address the increasing waste problem in the Barangay. SDM (Ecoteneo, Limadol, Break Free From Plastic, and Ecowaste Coalition aims for Brgy. Tacunan to be a model barangay for making zero waste possible, worthy of being replicated, if successful. Thus, both the Barangay as well as the SDM agreed to organize a system in the purok, creating strategic activities to envision a zero waste Tacunan. Urging its residents to view waste not as a useless problem but as something manageable and can be transformed into something useful. Mintal, Davao City – Another barangay in Davao City has partnered with environmental groups to implement a Zero Waste Management project which will address the increasing waste concerns in the barangay. The project is entitled PHINLA which stands for Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, aims to empower the waste collectors in the barangay and address poor waste management concerns. Click here to read the Press Release on PHINLA PR
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.