WHILE it may sound attractive, Ecotourism is not good for Shrine Hills, a resident said.
At the committee hearing for the approval of the inclusion of Privately-owned Public Open Spaces (Popos) under the Urban Ecological Enhancement Subzone (UEESZ) that intends to develop the area, residents expressed their concern that it just might be the worst decision for their area.
Shrine Hills in 2013 was declared as UEESZ under the city's zoning ordinance where it is defined as areas intended for massive greening program for ecological enhancement and areas declared to be protected at all times as its edges and slopes of the ridge or hill are found to be highly susceptible to landslides.
Rudolph Ambrosio, a resident in the area, said it is better to strictly enact ordinances on the area instead of making it an ecotourism site.
"No developments," Ambrosio said.
Ambrosio aired the utilization of the area as an "ecotourism" could become a front, of developers to make developments that could be harmful to the environment.
"Ecotourism will not solve the problem. It is just going to destroy the root's grasp to the soil. It’s not going to solve the flooding, landslide. Palamuti lang po siya," he said.
Ambrosio also fears that Shrine Hills could become another Cherry Hill of Antipolo wherein 90 percent of the tenant died after a landslide.
Meanwhile, Davao City Councilor Jay Melchor Quitain said that "no developments" in the area is the ideal view, if you want to be really strict.
"Confiscatory na kasi yan, if you do that the government will be obligated to pay everybody. If you saw the presentation, Ecotourism is feasible. In fact the city would not have made the proposed amendment to make it as an ecotourism park if it is not viable. So napag-aralan na yan. Ecotourism talaga para win-win situation," he said.
Quitain said the ecotourism will be a win-win since landowners can develop their area as a park and they will also be encouraged to plant trees.
He said an order to stop development in the area has long been released, but despite that there are still those who are doing construction without permit.
"It is the city's job now to catch them, order them to stop, and ask them to pay a fine. Some are even filed with charges," he said.
Quitain said another committee hearing is set to be done on June 22 because they aim to include a developer that owns huge track of land on the area.