A LOCAL environmental group is calling for a regulation of recreational activities within the Panigan-Tamugan River after several solid wastes were recovered, including several face masks and face shields, during a clean-up drive.
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) Executive Director Mark Peñalver told SunStar Davao in a phone interview on Wednesday, May 19, that their group conducted the clean-up last week, along with the Bantay Bukid Volunteers.
Peñalver said Idis and Bantay Bukid Volunteers conduct a monthly clean-up drive. But for April this year, four clean-up drives were conducted wherein 25 kilos of different types of solid wastes were collected.
During an April 30 clean-up, 337 assorted pieces of waste were collected, 22 are medical-grade face masks.
"This is a regular of the Bantay Bukid, and they always noted nga ga-increase pud ang waste didto (there is an increase of waste in the area) because daghan tao nagaadto didto maligo, and ang basura nila wala nila gina-manage og tarong. Ginabilin nila kung asa sila naka-setup (of the influx of people who go there to swim and their wastes are not properly disposed of. They only throw it in the area where they have set up)," Peñalver said.
He said majority of masks are made of long-lasting plastic materials that will not decay. As a result, it can have a variety of adverse effects on the environment and people.
He also said Bantay Bukid members are the ones collecting their garbage, which is not part of their job.
According to the volunteers, Peñalver said one of the reasons for the current increase of improperly disposed wastes in the area is the presence of various recreational activities within the Panigan-Tamugan.
He added that several people are doing their laundry and swimming in the river.
The Idis head said these activities are unregulated and unmonitored.
In addition, volunteers also saw built structures such as cottages in the area, which encourages the influx of people in the river as it is used for recreational activities along the riverbanks.
Climbers at Mount Tipolog, which is nearby Panigan-Tamugan, are also contributing to the generated wastes.
Peñalver said they were alarmed with the increase of people in the area, which is only few miles from the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).
DCBWSP is a joint water project of Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. that is expected to provide around 300 million liters of water to the consumers.
Panigan-Tamugan, the bulk water project's source, is a conservation area that must be protected.
"It is very disheartening to see nga daghan waste nakaabot sa ilaha (Panigan-Tamugan), which is dapat dili (that the wastes had already reached the river, which must not happen) considering it is a conservation area and must be protected sa iyang state sa pagkakaron (at its current state) because mag-abot ang panahon na mag-degrade siya, kita (there will come a time that when it will degrade) as human being would degrade along with nature," Peñalver said.
He said they already raised their concern at the Davao City Watershed Management Council last year, and they are lobbying that guidelines and regulations must be imposed along the river. This also includes other watershed areas.
He added that tourists must coordinate with barangays before they are allowed to enter.
The number of allowable tourists must also be regulated, he said.
"Mas dako ang impact niya karon tungod aning Covid-19 case nato. So dapat i-regulate ang entry sa mga tao padulong didto kay wala ta kabalo nga outsiders ang mudala aning Covid[-19] sa ilahang community (This could also have an impact on our current Covid-19 case. The entry of people in the community must be regulated because outsiders might be the carrier of the virus)," Peñalver said.
He also said all items they will be bringing in the area must be duly accounted for.
Another measure they are suggesting is to temporarily close Tipolog to outside climbers for recreational purposes while the guidelines are still being crafted.
This prompted the 19th City Council Committee on Environment, led by Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. to call on a committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon, May 19, to discuss among stakeholders the guidelines regulating recreational activities within the watershed areas in the city.
Meanwhile, Peñalver said they are currently coordinating with Apo Agua to ensure the water quality of the bulk water project to be distributed.
He also encouraged the public to properly segregate their waste, especially face masks.