The City Government of Davao remains firm in its policy to preserve, conserve, and protect the environment and natural resources of the city.
To ensure that the city’s conservation sites remain safeguarded, the city government calls on Dabawenyos to abide by the city’s ordinances in environmental conservation and watershed protection.
Legislators are also urged to set an example to Dabawenyos by following the law.
In his privilege speech during the 39th regular session of the City Council, Councilor Temujin Ocampo, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, called out individuals who proceeded to hike the closed trekking site in Barangay Tagurano, Toril District.
The area is part of the watershed areas of the city and is covered by the Watershed Code of Davao; City Ordinance No. 0675-21, Series of 2021 or the Watershed Conservation Area Protection Ordinance of 2021; the new CLUP; and the Mt. Apo National Park–Protected Area Management Office (MANP-PAMO).
Concerns of encroachment and rampant irresponsible disposal of waste inside the trekking area have prompted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to close the area and prohibit recreational activities, including trekking or hiking, mountain biking, running, and camping.
A Cease-and-Desist order to establishments operating without permits from agencies within the MANP was also issued to eight establishments in the area.
Following the recent issue of individuals trekking in the watershed conservation area in Tagurano, Ocampo reminded Dabawenyos that an approval from the Watershed Management Council (WMC) should be secured prior to the recreational activity.
“Under our City Ordinance No. 0675-21, Series of 2021, section no. 5 states the enforcement of the said ordinance stipulates that all old and new trekking sites in environmentally critical areas should have prior approval from the Watershed Management Council which is headed by our City Mayor by way of a resolution,” he said.
Ocampo added that the WMC has issued Resolution No. 21 in May 2021 prohibiting trekking activities in watershed areas in Davao City.
He also said that the city government already forwarded a request for the DENR to designate a trekking area in Tagurano for hikers to enjoy the city’s natural environment.
“This application will undergo a strict, rigorous process and that will take quite some time to be approved,” Ocampo said.
Since the application is yet to receive an approval from the DENR, the trekking site in Tagurano remains closed.
The public is also urged to abide by the city’s rules and regulations, and cooperate with the city in pushing for the preservation, conservation, and protection of its natural environment and natural resources. CIO
