THE 17th Davao City Council required the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to appear before its regular session next week and discuss the proposed five-year plan for Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan Watershed.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, council committee chair for environment and natural resources, said DCWD is requested to state their opinion regarding the proposed resolution adopting the Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan Watersheds action plan for 2013-2018 and its integration to the watershed management council plan for implementation.
Dayanghirang said aside from the DCWD, they also have invited the City Planning and Development Office to discuss on the matter as well as the Watershed Management Council.
Based on the committee report, Chinkee Pelino, program coordinator of Idis, said the action plan is part of the implementation of the water code and they chose the Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan Watersheds as a pilot area because this is a "rich source of drinking water in the city."
The committee report reads that the watershed management council will monitor and evaluate such study for the protection, conservation and management of the watershed areas.
However, Dayanghirang required the council to submit a "comprehensive plan and not a piece-meal plan" to the City Council.
"The plan is still not intended for legislative action," the report reads.
During the session last Tuesday, Councilor Victorio Advincula questioned the plan and suggested to include the other watershed areas of the city for a more comprehensive report.
He said the council will only have a better view of the proposed plan once the version of all sectors will be heard, including the DCWD. The item was deferred next session.
"Water is life. We cannot pass a resolution which will put the water of Davao City at risk," Dayangirang said.