DAVAO CITY, Philippines — With its economic improvement, the city government of Tagum wants to push an urban development that is both sustainable in long term while addressing the issues of climate change.
Clint Calledo, coordinator of Tagum City Urban Development Summit 2018, said that Tagum City is poised to become a “mega city” someday as the infrastructure development are progressing continuously.
Like Mega City in Clark, Singapore, and the Netherlands, Calledo said that its massive land spanning 19, 000 hectare of land subject for development is proof that country’s Palm Capital of the South is on the right track to achieve its ambition.
Calledo said that the city’s urban development includes a balance and management of resources in agriculture, infrastructure, and environment, among others, adding that urbanization is good for progress.
He, however, warned that poor urban development could cause congestion, noting that “it also poses a threat on agricultural production due to land classification and conversion.”
Tagum City is dubbed as another commercial hub in Davao region and is also identified by the Regional Development Council as the alternative resettlement site and financial center outside of Davao City due to its strategic location. Thus, it is forecasted to have an increase in demand of land for urban use.
Environmental group Interface Development Interventions Incorporated (IDIS) has expressed its intention to propose an Environmental Code for Tagum as the city eyes to become ecologically sustainable.
Chinkie Golle, executive director of IDIS said the environment code could help the local government to balance development vis-a-vis ecological sustainability.
Golle also added that one of the main considerations should always be the urban liveability that would ensure the needs of the people such as the infrastructure and food security.
“The environment code will surely help the city identify its priority as they are aiming for a sustainable city,” she said.(davaotoday.com)
