THE landowners of Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City urged the local government to give more options in utilizing their lands located in now declared Urban Ecological Enhancement Subzone (UEESZ) under the city's zoning ordinance.

“Sa akong nakita, aduna gyud sila’y katungod na mangayo ug second opinion (they have the right to seek for second opinion) because we cannot deprive anybody of their property without due process of law,” said Davao City Councilor lawyer Diosdado Mahipus, chairman of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and Committee on Energy, during the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong (PPP) at the City Council.

The landowners, in a position paper, also appealed for amnesty for all who were not granted with locational and building permits. They also want to be allowed by the local government for an ecological friendly construction; more options for landslide mitigation aside from trees; and be given the liberty to utilize their properties.

The landowners want the city local government to give more options on utilizing their own properties at Shrine Hills instead of resorting to the last option which is “abandoning the property.”