THE Davao City Council approved the Preliminary Approval and Location Clearance (PALC) applications of two Shrine Hills developers by a majority vote.

For the DMC Urban application, 11 voted yes, 8 voted no, 2 abstained, 2 were out of the session hall at the time of the voting, and 2 were on official business.

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The "yes" votes came from Councilors Nilo Abellera, Ma. Belen Sunga-Acosta, Victorio Advincula, Wilberto Al-ag, Conrado Baluran, Samuel Bangoy, Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, Edgar Ibuyan, Peter Laviña, Diosdado Angelo Mahipus, and Bonifacio Militar.

Those who voted "no" include Councilors Karlo Bello, Pailr Braga, Teresita Mata-Marañon, Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, Susan Isabel Reta, Angela Librado-Trinidad, Jose Louie Villafuerte, and Rachel Zozobrado.

Councilors Halila Sudagar and Danilo Dayanghirang abstained. Dayanghirang explained he has to because a relative of his is a consultant of DCM Urban.

Those who were out were Councilors Paolo Duterte and Dante Apostol, while City Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III and Tomas Monteverde IV were on official business.

For the Crown Communities application, 12 voted yes, 8 voted no, 1 abstained, while 2 were out during voting.

Ma-a residents opposing the approval were disappointed by the outcome but said they are willing to work with the city and the developers towards a "win-win" solution.

They are, however, still pushing for an independent comprehensive geographical study of Shrine Hills to make sure that developers comply with all the necessary mitigating measures to prevent landslides. (GLP)

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(November 26, 2008 issue)
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