The city government of Davao still has a long way to go to address the flooding problem and other climate hazards in the city.
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) made the assessment of the massive flood that affected many areas of Davao City and swept away tons of garbage on Monday night.
“We acknowledge naman the efforts of the city, but the flooding incidents, dili lang man sad siya gabii lang nahitabo, is a testament to how we address the problem,” Atty. Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS, told Edge Davao.
In a statement, IDIS is urging the city to take more steps in mitigating and reducing of impacts of floods such as fast-tracking the implementation of the “No to Single-use Plastic” Ordinance and the strict implementation and monitoring of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
IDIS also pressed for the strict implementation of the Local Zoning Ordinance, prohibiting residential developments at identified Floodway Mitigation Zones; as well as increase urban greenery and protect blue spaces such as wetlands and creeks; strengthen the implementation and monitoring of rainwater harvesting and permeable pavement ordinance; and promote and integrate nature-based solutions in all development projects.
The group stated that Davao City also needs a programmatic combination of “grey” and “green” infrastructure or Low-Impact Developments (LID) for construction projects for both government and private sectors.
The group also recommended for the prioritization of the Drainage Master Plan integrating a network of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), providing flood detention/retention areas, trenches, bioswales, built wetlands, rehabilitation of creeks, and waterways.
The group called on project developers and contractors to observe the laws of the city, especially those that involve urban environment protection and the mitigation of hazards.
“These policies are in place to protect you and, most especially, the people from any untoward climate or disaster-related incidents that proposed projects may contribute,” the statement said.
IDIS added that the most doable practice that a Dabawenyo can help is to act responsibly and ensure that plastic wastes are managed and not thrown indiscriminately in the canals, creeks, waterways, and open spaces.
On October 22, 2021, some parts of Davao City were flooded due to moderate to heavy rains that caused 179 families to evacuate for safety.
Last April 26, 2021, Davao City was also flooded wherein 3,280 people were affected, and 162 families or 419 people evacuated to the evacuation centers.
