It's still water over real estate development

AMID the conflicts arising from the proposed establishment of three memorial parks near Davao City’s major aquifer, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said her priority is water over real estate development.

Speaking in her weekly press briefing at her office Monday, Duterte-Carpio said just like what she did when she was still a vice mayor, she will oppose any form of real estate development if it endangers the city's water source.

But the mayor added this does not mean that she is against development in the area, especially that the three applications for memorial park construction are pending at the City Council.

The mayor said she still has to consider the position and the findings of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) if the establishment of memorial parks or residential areas would endanger the Dumoy aquifer.

"The question now is, if memorial park is compatible with their (DCWD) well," Duterte-Carpio said.

The mayor said based on an earlier study conducted by DCWD, residential developments are incompatible or might endanger its deep well at Dumoy.

Duterte-Carpio, however, said she won't jump into conclusion that the establishment of three memorial parks in Dumoy, will in fact, endanger the city's major aquifer.

For her part, the mayor said, if it's possible, as a solution, the proposed three memorial parks project could push through but there will be no burying of remains, instead, all memorial parks in the disputed area must be built above the ground or compartment type.