COUNCILOR Danilo Dayanghirang vowed to craft an ordinance in the Davao City Council that will make the city free from any mining activity.
Dayanghirang, chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, said mining causes destruction to the environment as the activity involves chemicals that are hazardous even to inhabitants.
"Once they mine the area, they bring out the money in the area. The (monetary) return is not sure but the destruction is already there," Dayanghirang said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex Monday.
"There will be trouble if we have this mining," he added.
The lawmaker from the second district said there was a committee hearing that was conducted before by the previous Council but was stopped because of the election.
Now, with him heading the committee, Dayanghirang said they are fast-tracking committee reports to hasten the proposal of making Davao City as mining-free zone.
The proposal will include the total ban on mining operations of both local and international companies in Davao City.
Dayanghirang said this is to assure that no local companies financed by foreign mining company can operate in the grounds of the city.
He said they will try to finish everything within three weeks.
Dayanghirang had earlier revealed that two mining firms from Manila have applied for permits for explorations in Paquibato and Marilog.
Seeking approval are the Alberto Mining Corporation and Penson's Mining Corporation.
But, Dayanghirang said the local lawmaking body will not approve such application in line with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's policy against mining.
The councilor is also strongly objecting to any mining activity as this causes floods and uses chemicals that affect both the people and environment. (With Ma. Kristina Camelia B. Nardo, AdDU intern)