DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A watershed advocacy group said on Friday that Davao’s Watershed Code is under threat of nullification after agricultural companies have filed a civil case to stop the imposition of environmental tax for plantations near the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Baguio District, this city.
“The environmental tax provision is a measure designed to encourage responsible use and management of the city’s natural resources. Companies should welcome this approach instead of putting their profits first over the health of the environment.”, Interface Development Interventions Advocacy Coordinator Chinkie Pelino said in a statement.
Pelino warned that if the court would warrant approval on the pending civil case, “it will be a setback in the city government’s current efforts to protect and sustainably manage its watersheds which are the city’s source of drinking water.”
Presently, there are five agricultural plantations operating in Davao’s watersheds, according to city’s Business Bureau has recorded. IDIS said that two of five plantations were operating in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed which is the city’s future source of potable water.
IDIS, however, did not name the five agricultural plantations.
“We encourage plantation companies to meet with the WMC to discuss their concerns on the tax provision. The Watershed Code is there to ensure that Dabawenyos will have healthy watersheds to depend on for the future. To try to nullify it just because they do not agree with the tax provision is counterproductive to the welfare of the city and its future generations,” the group pointed out.
Meanwhile, Pelino said that the imposition of the environmental tax is “a form of payment for environmental services.”
“Since pesticides can contaminate the air and water resources, plantations ought to set aside a minimal amount which can be used to mitigate the damage.”, she said.
Pelino, who also sits in the Watershed Management Council (WMC) as NGO representative, said that the proposed tax measure will also “benefit watershed stakeholders since this will fund programs and initiatives to sustainably manage the watersheds.” (davaotoday.com)
