An ordinance mainstreaming, promoting and institutionalizing permeable pavement system in Davao City was approved on its third and final reading in the city council during the special session on Wednesday.
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.
Jesus Joseph Zozobrado, committee on public works and highways chairperson said that PPS is one of the alternative options eyed to solve the environmental problems caused by conventional concrete.
Zozobrado said that the important role of PPS is it recharge the city’s ground water and aquifer and it mitigate and adopt scheme as it suspend dust particles and retain sequestered carbon dioxide.
The permeable pavement concept is a research project of Interface Development Interventions , Lemuel Manalo, environmental research specialist of Idis, told Edge Davao Reporter that establishment and its users can benefit the permeable pavements through mainly, reduction of atmospheric heat, due to reflectance caused by conventional concrete pavements, and less flooding and pounding incidents compared from full concrete pavements.
“Based on our research, there are 5 types/designs of permeable pavements that are available in local market, the most commonly used by establishments are grid and block pavers, and also simply aggregate filling is the cheapest type,” said Manalo.
He added that medium used such as Grid turfs, blocks, bricks are available from local suppliers. Grid turfs with grasses are commonly preferred by architects and designers, which should be used in wide parking areas like parking areas, gardens, parks, open spaces, shopping malls and schools.
Under the ordinance, the PPS shall cover all establishments whether private or public but not limited to residential, commercial and institutional establishment.
Further, it shall cover parks and other government owned or manage areas such such, but not limited to parking spaces and walk ways.
However, establishment or buildings already constructed prior to the approval of the ordinance, shall not be affected thereby but may opt to convert their conventional pavement into a permeable pavement should they want to avail of the incentives provided, the ordinance states.
