Tuesday, October 02, 2007 Ledesma: Back to Jurassic By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
THERE is a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance anew to allow the development of housing or residential zones in what had been identified in the city zoning ordinance as "industrial zones." To justify the amendment, Arnolfo Cabling, the proponent councilor, said that residential homes must be allowed in areas adjacent to industrial sites. The idea deceptively looks like there is nothing wrong with it but everything can go wrong with the ordinance if it's going to be altered to accommodate Cabling's idea.
Remember the "temporary permanent" zoning accommodations which we had in the past? That scheme was the reason why we have a hodge-podge of industries mixed with housing subdivisions all around the city? We still can see the vestiges of that crazy idea. Taxi terminals and mountains of scrap metals right inside subdivisions to name a few. We have not even gotten rid of these hazards and someone in the city council comes up with the scheme to have a mix of an industrial zones and housing subdivisions in one site.
The idea is diametrically in contradiction to the stand taken by the City Council against aerial spray of fungicides in banana plantations. It stemmed from the view of the Sanggunian that fungicide mists pose as hazard to the adjacent populated areas. And now, the same body is set to amend the city ordinance to allow housing next to industries. The next thing you know it, the housing occupants will petition the Sanggunian to drive away the industries as they pose hazards to the population. Remember that Soriano poultry farm? For trying to help the community, it set aside portion of the farm for housing and the firm sold lots for a song. Later, the housing occupants went to city hall to complain against the firm because the poultry farm is adjacent to the housing subdivision. The poultry farm which was established decades ahead was then ordered to relocate elsewhere.
Subdivisions should not be allowed adjacent to or inside industrial zones. Industrial zones may look like they're not busy and buzzing now, but given the rapid growth of Davao City, it will not be long when we will be heavily industrialized. It's good to be planning for the future, but a mix of housing and industry in one area is a no no.
Early on, I was proposing that our aldermen visit Singapore and arrange for a forum on the development of that city state. It is amazing to see that despite its development and size, they have wide green spaces and parks. The heart of the city too is green. I was told that before anyone can build a structure for whatever purpose, one has to submit a plan for the city authority to check whether space is allocated for trees and ornamental plants.
BTW, I am wondering whatever happened to the "hito" couple in Los Amigos who once blamed aerial spray of fungicides as the cause of death of their hitos. I expect them to be celebrating when the court declared that banning of aerial spray is constitutional. Quedancor gave them a holiday when their loan was due because of their claim that their hito died due to pesticide. Quedancor must have believed their story. But I don't believe Quedancor. Anyway am curious as to where they are now. The fishy story continues to baffle me.
