Thursday, October 02, 2008 Oledan: Social responsibility By Radzini Oledan
AMONG the recommendations from the survey on the level of pesticide contaminants within Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan watersheds conducted by the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Inc. and the Ateneo de Davao University is an effective pesticide monitoring system in watershed areas and in areas where potential contamination in rivers and springs exists.
This is necessary in view of the call to institutionalize an immediate mitigation measure to ensure accountability for environmental contamination.
Several agricultural plantations are operating within the Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan watersheds, and based on the result of the study, run-offs do occur and pesticides end up in water and sediments.
But would these plantations take full responsibility for its action? This appears to be far-off considering that an effective pesticide monitoring system in the watershed area is yet to be established.
From the own admission of the Department of Health, there is no laboratory or any facility in Mindanao which can determine the toxicity levels in humans of pesticide contamination.
The Davao City Water District (DCWD) also appears to be wanting in its available facility to undertake a comprehensive study on water safety which should be a basic for their business.
Needless to say, there is a need to really establish a baseline on the level of safety or contamination of water, including the risk it pose to health of the public who are depending on the natural water resource.
Water is not finite. Even the assurance that Davao City has the cleanest water should not push anyone to complacency. There is no assurance that the pipelines and water connection which the water passes through are free from any contamination. Think of the future water source, Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Watersheds, which is threatened by economic activities in the areas.
There is the polluters pay principle. Unless agricultural companies take full corporate responsibility for the effects of their business to its immediate communities and the general public, then the source of water is at risk.
Critical decisions have to be undertaken to manage our water resource. This cannot be done by fault finding but only by conscientious effort for everyone to do their part for environmental management.
Two years ago, the City Government released its terrain analysis to provide adequate information on the behavior of the watershed areas. It was incorporated in the Davao City Watershed Code which prohibits the conversion of all land parcels classified as conservation areas and also banned human settlements, except for housing and administrative facility for research.
The 16 conservation areas are Tamugan-Panigan Watershed areas, Tamugan-Davao River floodplains and terraces, Suawan floodplains, Mts. Makabol-Alikon Area, Malagos Watershed Area, Upper Talomo River, Subasta-Sirib, Tagakpan, Lipadas River, Tagluno Creek, Tagurano aream Kilate-Bato and Banod areas, Bayabas, Sibulan-Baracatan area and the Mt. Apo Natural Park.
The Executive Order 20 also strictly imposes the DENR Administrative Order 99-21 which provides for the 20 meter forest zone along banks of rivers and streams in agricultural areas, and 40 meter forest zone.
The terrain analysis also showed that the active channel, floodplains, terraces and hillslopes downstream from the confluence of Tamugan and Panigan rivers to Davao river down to the confluence of Davao River and Cugan Creek have very high groundwater recharge potential for shallow and deep aquifer.
Davao City is not replete with local laws to ensure public safety and environmental management. We may only need to be reminded that there are looming disasters ahead if we fail to act today. Corporate entities may need to be challenged that an investment in proper environmental management is also good business.
