INLAND resorts in Marilog and Paquibato districts will be allowed to use only two percent of their total land area for tourists and will be required to conserve the remaining portion as stated in the proposed amendments discussed in the 18th City Council.

The proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance are said to outline areas for eco-tourism and agro-tourism activities.

“In their 10,000 square meters, only 200 square meters or two percent will be allowed to be developed or to be used for construction of restaurant, viewing points or convergence of visitors,” Davao City Councilor Conrado Baluran told reporters Tuesday, March 12, in the vernacular.

The remaining areas will be for planting of more trees as part of conservation efforts, he said.

“We cannot allow tourists to use the conservation areas or watersheds to be used for camping because it might be polluted. We do not want to be likened to Mt. Apo,” he added.

Although still under discussion, Baluran said that the city council already had a consensus to lift the closure order of these resorts.

However, they will be under strict monitoring to ensure that only allowable activities will be held and mitigating measures have been drawn up for the safety of tourists and protection of the environment.

Article 4, section 2 of the zoning ordinance states that establishments will be given a maximum of two percent concrete construction footprint and no clearing of trees nor slope alteration will be allowed in the eco-tourism areas. Agro-tourism activities will be limited to five percent of the total area occupied.

Baluran said some resort owners have been in the area for 10 to 20 years and they have transformed the place from a logging area into a tourism area.

He further said reopening the establishments will bring in more tourists in Davao City.

The proposed amendments were referred to the committee on rules, privileges, laws and ordinances chaired by Councilor Melchor Jay Quitain Jr.