Landmark ordinances dot Davao's history

THE message is relayed over and again. As soon as the plane touches down at the Davao International Airport, travelers are reminded of the anti-smoking policy in Davao City. Yes, smoking is prohibited in public places and a tourist, instead of having a grand vacation here, could end up in jail if he or she violates the law.

Such is just one of a good number of policies being imposed in this part of the Davao Region as government officials, led by then Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, had given emphasis on the quality of life of residents by attending to their health and the environment.

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There's the Watershed Code, the Anti-Spitting Ordinance and the Solid Waste Management Ordinance authored by former councilor Leonardo Avila III and which was passed in the 15th City Council.

There's also the firecracker ban, which was first implemented in 2001, and the aerial spray ban which became controversial and is now the subject of a highly-publicized legal battle between City Hall and the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA).

The aerial spray ban was approved by the 14th City Council, but this was declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals after those opposing the law challenged its validity. But City Hall, bent on imposing the law, challenged the CA ruling before the Supreme Court. The case is awaiting resolution.

Although the city government clearly has not failed in its campaign to protect health and the environment, most of the major ordinances approved by the local lawmaking body could not be implemented as the measures are still without their corresponding implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Davao City Councilor Emmanuel D. Galicia, floor leader of the 16th City Council, said even those existing laws with IRR are not being fully implemented.

"We have so many laws but there's no implementation," Galicia said.
But the councilor from the first district took pride in being a member of the lawmaking body that passed the anti-smoking measure and the firecracker ban.

"When the firecracker ban was imposed, the number of fire-cracker related incidents in Davao City really went down to zero," Galicia said.

Third district councilor Bernard Al-ag echoed Galicia's observation.
"Firecracker and smoking ban have added to ensuring the welfare and protection of the health of residents of Davao City. Both these are among the things we can boast of here in the city, supporting our claim of being one of the most livable cities in the world," said Al-ag, a doctor.

Davao City Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella said the city should not stop crafting and imposing laws that will protect the environment.

She said the solid waste management measure authored by Avila must be pursued and imposed. The law is due for publication.

"We have to really protect our environment," said Abella, a first-termer councilor who chairs the City Council committee on environment.

Abella said that under the Solid Waste Management Ordinance of Davao City, the collection of waste and proper disposal of waste start in the barangays.

"There will be no littering, no open dumping and no burning," said Abella, a former barangay captain who religiously implemented a highly-successful solid waste management program in Barangay Vince Hizon that earned her praises.

And consistent with her campaign to protect the environment, Abella has been going around conducting lectures on the proper disposal of waste. She is also encouraging the public to go into recycling, plant trees and save energy in the advent of the threats of global warming.

"My aim is to plant one million trees in Paquinato," Abella said, adding that she is now in the process of organizing and holding consultative meetings with private institutions for this project.

Councilor Abella and the rest of the city officials--from Mayor Inday Sara to Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and down to the barangay captains--have done their contribution to protect people's health and the environment they live in with their programs and directions.

Dabawenyos must also do their share of protecting their habitat by following the law, for a bright and clean Davao City.