Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. conducted an on-site verification on Thursday of a subdivision development in Barangay Tugbok Proper, Davao City, as part of ongoing efforts to strictly enforce Davao City’s Land Contour Alteration Regulation and Waterway Protection Ordinance, a measure aimed at preventing flooding and protecting the city’s wetlands and natural waterways.
Mahipus, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Housing, Rural and Urban Development (Socialized Housing Projects), said the inspection was undertaken to assess compliance with the ordinance, which is also known as the Flood Mitigation and Wetlands Protection Ordinance.
Authored by Mahipus and approved by the previous City Council, the ordinance regulates alterations to the natural contours of land and waterways to ensure that development projects do not increase flood risks or obstruct the natural flow of water.
According to him, the measure is being strictly implemented to safeguard neighboring communities from the adverse effects of irresponsible land development.
“Ang maong ordinansya hugot nga ginpatuman sa katuyuan nga malikayan ang pagtarug sa natural nga estado sa yuta nga muresulta sa pagbaha sa silingang propriedad o ang pag-usab sa agianan sa tubig nga muresulta usab sa mga pag-ali ug pagbaha,” Mahipus said.
The councilor said the ordinance was crafted following his review and study of the causes of flooding in Davao City.
He said the findings showed that modifications to natural ponding areas, wetlands, and waterways through land contour alteration could contribute to flooding in affected areas.
“Usa sa rason sa mga posibleng pagbaha mao ang pagtarug sa natural ponding areas, wetlands, ug waterways nga dala sa land contour alteration. Busa, hingpit nga gibantayan kini ug gipangayo ang waterway assessment report ug inspection sa CENRO una pa man matugutan ang pag-usab sa elebasyon ug natural nga estado sa yuta,” he said.
Under the ordinance, developers must secure a waterway assessment report and undergo inspections by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) before any modification of a property’s natural elevation or terrain can be approved.
Mahipus emphasized that his office will continue monitoring development projects across the city to ensure that urban growth remains sustainable and does not create problems for residents.
“Ang atong opisina magapadayon dili lamang sa pagpanday ug mga balaod nga makatabang sa katilingban, magapadayon usab kita sa pagbalantay sa sitwasyon sa syudad ug sa pag-igmat nga dili muresulta sa kalisdanan sa katawhan ang bisan unsang development sa Dabaw. Dili man perpekto ang tanan sa kalibutan apan magapadayon kita sa pag-atiman ug pag-amuma sa atong dakbayan nga atong puy-anan,” he added.
The councilor also expressed gratitude to government agencies and project proponents for supporting the implementation of the ordinance.
“Nagpasalamat kita sa atong mga ahensya ug sa mga aplikante sa ilang katuyuan nga maimplementar ang maong ordinansya. Nagpasalamat usab kita kang Mayor Sebastian Duterte nga nagapadayon sa paggiya sa dakbayan alang sa umaabot nga panahon ug sa kaayohan sa umaabot nga mga henerasyon,” he said.
He said the city government of Davao continues to strengthen environmental safeguards on land development projects as part of broader efforts to mitigate flooding, preserve wetlands, and protect Davao City’s natural waterways for future generations.
