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.
Save Davao Shrine Hills: Davao City’s Last Urban Ecological Frontier
The Shrine Hills, located at the urban center of Davao city, finds a similar case with that of the Cherry Hill Subdivision in Antipolo City, which tragically resulted in 59 lives lost and hundreds of families lost due to landslide in 1999. Land and subdivision developers are very eager to develop the area as it is strategically located in the middle of the City. Here’s what environmentalist groups’ response to the position paper submitted by DMC URBAN PROPERTY DEVELOPERS, INC. (DMC UPDI) ON THE PROPSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY ORDINANCE NO. 0546-2013.