A NETWORK of organizations composed of around 250 groups in the country will work on issues concerning peace and human rights, sustainable agriculture and fisherfolk development, and climate change adaptation and mitigation-disaster risk reduction and management.
The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), a development network composed of non-government, church-based organizations, and bishop conveners, will prioritize four thematic issues and concerns, such as the anti-mining campaign, climate change and disaster risk reduction, peace building, and sustainable agriculture after they convened for the 5th General Assembly in Tagum City that was concluded last March 3.
Interface Development Interventions Inc. (Idis) executive director Ann Fuertes, who represented the CSO-Davao Chapter, also said in a press conference at the Bahayni Tuding on Thursday that their group is rejoicing over the efforts made to defend the 10 percent green space requirement of the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup).
PMPI chair Roldan Gonzales said the green space will help mitigate coal's exacerbating effects to the climate since greeneries serve as carbon sinks.
"Malaking bagay ang pag-depensa sa 10 percent green space retention sa Davao. Sana mapagkuhanan ito ng lesson sa iba[ng lugar] at i-replicate sa buong Pilipinas (The people's effort to defend the 10 percent green space retention in Davao was a great achievement. I hope this will serve as a lesson to other places and will be replicated in the entire Philippines)," Gonzales said.
Fuertes said they are happy that the City Council had finally accepted Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's veto, but added that the issue is not over yet since there are still efforts being made to amend it, explaining further that they are still continuing their campaign.
They are now keeping an eye on the situation even after the Mayor had vetoed it to make sure that it will be implemented, Fuertes said.