Marilog’s tourism zone to be expanded

DAVAO. Councilor Conrado Baluran during an interview. (Photo by Lyka Casamayor)
DAVAO. Councilor Conrado Baluran during an interview. (Photo by Lyka Casamayor)

MARILOG District in Davao City is still under discussion whether it will be converted from conservation zone to tourism developmental zone.

Councilor Conrado Baluran, in an interview Tuesday, January 15, 2019, told reporters that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has already agreed to extend the tourism developmental zone in Marilog.

"Presently, the area is considered as conservation zone. Under our ordinance, no improvement will be made sa lugar kasi i-conserve talaga 'yan," Baluran said, adding that with the expansion of tourism zone in Marilog District, resorts there could be operational again.

Baluran also said that with the conversion, resort owners will just have to follow some mitigating measures such as planting trees to avoid landslide in the area for the safety of the visitors and the people there.

When the establishments in Marilog District were ordered for closure last year, workers and resort owners have been worried about losing their livelihood.

During the 18th city council's regular session yesterday, resort owners asked the council to lift the closure order so they could be operational again.

Baluran insisted that resorts existed in the area even before the ordinance was passed and that they should be considered as non-conforming.

"Maningkamot ko na ma-reopen ang mga resorts tungod kay daghan na kaayo ang naapektuhan nga mga katawhan (I will do my best to reopen the resorts since there are a lot of people affected by the closure already)," Baluran said.

On the side of resort owners, they want the city to lift the closure order immediately as the discussion may take a long time and their businesses may be permanently closed if they are not operating for long periods.

Meanwhile, Baluran said it will be the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 11 that will conduct assessment and recommendation needed to expand tourism developmental zone in the area.

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