DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Members of the legislative body of the city government of Davao have raised concern over the need to rehabilitate the Davao River following reports of the high concentration of fecal coliform bacteria in its water.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) members Josephine Villafuerte and Pilar Braga both called for immediate action on the matter considering that Davao River is the main water tributary in the city and utilized by residents on their daily routines and activities.
In a statement, Councilor Villafuerte who heads the Committee of Health said that it is an ‘urgent matter’ to act for the rehabilitation of the river as it is recorded to have a high presence of polio virus.
Earlier, it was reported by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the region (EMB-DENR-XI) that they have recorded 900,000 most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml. of coliform bacteria in the river.
Villafuerte said there should be a monitoring and strict implementation of the law to protect Davao River.
The measures would include the monitoring of the poultry farms and banana plantations that possibly contributed to the rise of the number of coliform bacteria in the Davao River.
“There should be an effort to protect our Davao river. This is mandated by law and a moral obligation of every Davaoenos,” the councilor emphasized.
Meanwhile, Councilor Braga is also pushing for a Davao River Management Council to work on the rehabilitation and protection of the river.
The council, Braga said, should be composed of the head of the Committee on Environment of SP, the Community Environment Natural Resource Office (CENRO), the City Planning, the DENR and the City Agriculture Office.
Braga said the council should ensure to maintain that all parts of the river banks are monitored including the tree planting activities and quarrying.
Recently, Braga has expressed concern over the massive cutting of trees along the riverbanks of Davao River, particularly near Ma-a to pursue a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) project.
She called out the attention of the City Council as she said: “it is alarming and worrisome”.
“We are all shocked upon learning that a massive cutting of trees happened. Then came the rainy season and suffered successive flooding,” she added.
Meanwhile, the two councilors said they will wait for the appropriate committee to act on the matter as Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte has already raised the concern during the recent Executive and Legislative Agenda. (davaotoday.com)
