AFTER several issues revolving around the riverbanks of Davao City, a local council is pushing for the creation of a management body that will ensure its protection.
Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga said Tuesday, November 12, that she wants the local government to create the Davao City Riverbanks Management Council, a body that will focus on managing, monitoring, and conserving all rivers and riverbanks in the city.
Braga said while there is an existing management council, which is the Watershed Management Council (WMC), that also includes its protection, it's scope is limited.
She said there is a need to form a special body that will look into its management following various issues at the riverbanks.
Braga, in her privilege speech, cited her previous speech in August this year regarding the drainage and revetment project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) near Ma-a riverbanks did not undergo proper consultation with the City Government, wherein 150 trees were cut down.
Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr., committee on environment chair, had already conducted a committee, wherein DPWH was mandated to submit its list of project implementation to the City Government to monitor and ensure that the incident will not happen again.
"Importante kaayo nga naa pud ta'y council nga mututok sa atong mga river nato. We need a council na mubantay, mu-manage ug magconserve sa rivers and riverbanks kay naa ato mga kakahuyan didtoa (It is important that we would form a council that will monitor our rivers. We need a council that would guard, manage, and conserve our rivers and riverbanks because our trees are placed there)," Braga told reporters on Tuesday evening, November 12.
Braga also underscored in her speech the recent polio outbreak in the country, wherein a sample of the poliovirus was detected in the Davao River near the Bolton Bridge.
The councilor revealed on Friday, November 8, during a forum organized by the International Center for Water Hazards and Risk Management (I-Charm), the non-existence of a riverbank management council in the city.
She also bared during the forum the recent flashfloods in the city were caused by the cutting of some trees in the riverbanks.
"It's no surprising we experienced flashfloods due to climate change because of this," Braga said.
She said she is closely coordinating with Davao City Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr., who also had a similar proposal.
Mahipus proposed the creation of the Davao River Management and Conservation Council that will formulate policies in relation to the preservation, protection, and management of the river.
Braga said she will also propose that the council would conduct a study in creating a policy disallowing inhabitance near rivers and riverbanks.
"Apil ni silang mga gapuyo sa daplin sa river na maapektuhan. Kay kung musubay ta balaod, riverbanks are dangerous areas. Wala gyu'y balay didtoa dapat itukod. Isa pa, ila lang ginahimong toilet ang riverbanks (We are considering this in our study, the disallowance of inhabitance nearby rivers and riverbanks. These people will surely be affected once the council will officiate. Because if we look into the law, living in these areas are highly dangerous. Aside from that, they are making these riverbanks their toilets)," Braga said.
Despite being a committee head on education, Braga said she is not interfering with Mahipus's committee since councilors are allowed to lobby proposals out of their committee.
Braga also opened up in the City Council the recent cutting of trees at Cliffod Park, which was met with criticisms from environmental groups and the public in social media.