DAVAO City Councilor Conrado Baluran will file a resolution to lift the order of closure of resorts and tourism establishments in Marilog District to bring back the livelihood of the residents in the area.
Baluran, during a regular session at the Sangguniang Panglungsod on Friday, August 24, said the order of closure caused economic deprivation and opportunities to people whose livelihood depends solely on tourism.
“Many have lost their jobs since there have been a significant number of tourists visiting the place,” Baluran said, adding that “habal-habal” or motorcyle taxi drivers are also affected by the closure.
Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre said most of the establishments in Marilog District are located in danger zones and may endanger tourists due to possible landslides and other environmental hazards.
Earlier, Alejandre passed a resolution creating Task Force Marilog to inspect the activities of the resorts in the area.
“I am not against the development of the area,” Alejandre said, adding that he was even supportive of the establishments but he, however, suggested for the Davao City Planning and Development Office to have mitigation measures for Marilog District instead.
Meanwhile, Baluran reasoned out that the people in Marilog are suffering and that he does not want them to die for being deprived of their livelihood.
“Imagine, most of those whom I talked to last Sunday, about almost 1,000 motorcycle owners, gipangbaligya ang ilang mga motor kay dili na sila kabayad (Imagine, most of those whom I talked to last Sunday, about almost 1,000 motorcycle owners have to sell their motorcycles because they cannot pay for it anymore),” Baluran said.