Ordinance to institutionalize permeable paving systems in Davao

The City Council has approved last week an ordinance institutionalizing Permeable Paving Systems in the construction of car parking spaces, walkways, open spaces, low-traffic roads of establishments in Davao City is set to be institutionalized with the approval last week of the ordinance

“Permeable Paving System (PPS) is a storm water management facility that allows water to move through void spaces within the pavement and eventually infiltrate into underlying soils,” said Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, chair of the committee on public works.

Zozobrado said Article 3, paragraph 3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provides as a guiding principle that the Parties to the convention should take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent, or minimize the causes of climate change and mitigate its adverse effects;

“The use of the PPS is one of the alternative options eyed to solve the environmental problems caused by conventional concrete,” he said.

Zozobrado said Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. He added that the Local Government Code (LGC) expressly and/or impliedly grants the Local Government Unit the powers to efficiently and effectively carry-out its function and promote the general welfare.

“The local government code also empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances aimed at regulating the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks, and other public places and approve the construction, improvement, repair, and maintenance of the same,” he said.

Zozobrado said the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Davao City (Zoning Ordinance) was enacted for the purpose of, among others, promoting and protecting the environment, health, sanitation, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the inhabitants in the locality; 

The committees on Public Works and Highways and Environment and Natural Resources jointly convened in July to push for the ordinance after the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Inc. requested the passage of more environment-friendly construction policies in the city.

WFP expands disaster program in Mindanao to include Climate Change Adaptation

The lack of preparedness for disasters as serious and widespread as typhoons Sendong and Pablo has resulted to massive devastation and to make sure it does not happen again, the World Food Program (WFP) has expanded its Disaster Preparedness and Response (DPR) Programme in Mindanao by adding the Climate Change Adaptation Component (CCA).

“This new focus complements WFP’s aim of strengthening the resilience of local government and communities,” WFP Representative and Country Director Praveen K. Agrawal said Tuesday. He said this also supports the provisions of Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act as well as the priorities of the national Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

The CCA component of the DPR Programme will be piloted in three cities in Mindanao and one city in the Visayas including Davao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

WFPA has launched in June 2013 a one year CCA project in Davao City on “Utilizing Upland Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Technology” in order to stabilize the slopes and catch rainwater for upland agriculture.

Mr. Agrawal said 10 Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Systems will be set up in 20 hectares of sloping farms in Davao integrating the Sloping Agricultural Land technology. Under this technology, multi-cropping and riverbank development will be used as comprehensive approaches to ensure the protection and management of the upland environmental ecosystem.

“This is a joint activity with the local government and we are now in the preparation and development stage where we identify the priorities as needed by the communities,” he said. When asked about the total cost of the CCA project in Davao, he said the cost is not important because it can always be adjusted to reflect what the communities really need.

Mr. Agrawal said “We can say the project is worth $100 but what if what is needed is really $1000? Let’s see what the communities really needs and then we will support it.”

The city, which has continuously experienced its own share of flooding in the past years, is also enhancing its flood monitoring system. Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Chief Pepito Capili said eight water measurement equipment has been installed last month through the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Project Noah. The equipment were installed along the Suawan River, Tamugan, Davao River, Pangi Bridge, Mintal Bridge, Wangan Bridge and Wangan Bridge. Also included are two rain gauges to be installed in Biao which contributes to the Pangi Water System and Baguio Proper.

The city is also in the process of constructing the wireless telemetry system and upgrading the installation of cameras in the city’s major bridges which will provide the Disaster Operations Center with a visual electronic monitoring system to monitor the condition of the rivers.

In Butuan City, Sago Palms and other indigenous trees and shrubs will be used to establish a 10-kilometer long buffer zone or ecobelt along the waterways of the Lower Agusan River to cover three flood-prone barangays. Sago Palms are known to withstand intense typhoon winds, drought and prolonged flooding. These plants can also prevent soil erosion as it has a root system that can trap silt.

WFP plans to raise the level of awareness in the community on the importance of planting Sago Palms to combat the ill effects of climate change in order to ensure the continuity of the initiative.

Cagayan de Oro City, one of the hardest hit cities during typhoon Sendong, is also one of the beneficiaries of the CCA project.  The project will specifically answer the city’s unique problem as it is not only faced by flooding problems but it is also faced by water scarcity during droughts.

WFP will also install 80 community-based roof catchment rainwater harvesting units in 40 duplex dwellings in the city. Up to 160 families are set to benefit from the domestic water source to be provided under the CCA project.

“While improving access to water, the systems will also help reduce rainfall surface run-off,” WFP’s project primer said. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will be asked to certify community members for the construction and maintenance of the rainwater harvesting systems.

WFP will join forces with the Ateneo Innovation Center in Iloilo City for the construction and installation of “community-based sustainable solar-powered rainwater harvesting facilities in public locations to improve storage and treatment of rainwater for potable use during periods of excess rain and emergencies.”

Aboitiz bent on building coal-powered plant in Davao City

Fresh from the development of the Sibulan Hydropower Plant in Davao del Sur, Aboitiz Power is now bent on developing another source of energy for Mindanao but this time it has set its eyes on the development of a non-renewable source namely a coal powered plant right in Davao City.

Aboitiz Power called for a press conference yesterday to announce its plan to establish a coal-powered plant in the city. Earlier, its executives met with Davao City mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and members of the City Council to get their pulse on the proposed coal-powered plant. They also met with members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Inc. yesterday evening.

The proposed coal-powered plant, with an estimated cost of $400 million, is expected to bring in lots of investments and employment opportunities for the city, not to mention up to 200MW of power.

However, coal mines, from where the coals used to power the plants come from, are known to be the largest contributor to global warming and to climate change problems due to the mine's high emission of methane, carbon dioxide and other waste products including thorium, radioactive contaminants and uranium.

Coal mines are said to result to groundwater interference and water table levels and have high impact on the flow of water in rivers. Aboitiz is looking at Indonesia as its source of coal.

The combustion of coal, is seen as a large contributor to air pollution and acid rain. Erramon Aboitiz however admitted that coal-powered plants have earned a negative reputation in the 1930s but coal-powered plants now use more modern technologies and coal generation has become greener.

Coal-powered plants are however still know to produce emissions of sulfur dioxides, nitrogen and carbon dioxides in the air, thereby contributing to global warming and climate change.

For a city blessed with one of the cleanest waters in the world, having a coal-powered plant right on top of its aquifers can spell nightmare not only for Dabawenyos but for the whole world. But then again, it is still a question of priorities---power or environment.