By Jaira Mondez | PTV Davao
Several criticisms have recently sparked over an alleged unauthorized operation of a resort located in Barangay Tambobong in Baguio District, Davao City.
Davao City-based environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) stated that the resort has been “secretly” operating despite the rejection given by the Watershed Management Council (WMC) on its permit to operate this early 2024.
IDIS executive director, Atty. Mark Penalver told PTV Davao on Tuesday that the resort’s location is within the critical watershed zone of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, where they were found to release its wastewater.
“Since Critical Watershed siya, the only activities nga allowed diha is watershed protection and conservation activities and kaning ginatawag na reforestation,” Penalver said.
(Since this is a critical watershed, the only activities allowed are watershed protection and conservation activities, and reforestation.)
Subsequently, Penalver called the attention of local travel vloggers in the city to not patronize and promote illegally operating resorts to avoid destructive impacts on the welfare of the public.
Meanwhile, the 20th Davao City Council already created a Task Force that will cater appeals on the issue of tourism operations in the city.
Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, said he received reports on numerous resorts illegally operating without business permits.
“This is very alarming kay murag mga 200 plus ni sila mao nang si Mayor gyud ana nga dili ko musugot nga hutdon ang bukid unya himuon og resort diha kay wala na sila sugoa. Atoang gina-negotiate kung negotiable pa ba jud siya na i-continue or dili na,” he explained.
(This is very alarming because there are over 200 [resorts] that is why Mayor [Duterte] said that he will not allow the entire highlands to build resorts as they are not directed. We are negotiating with them if it’s negotiable for them to continue or halt [operations].)
Authorities are also currently reviewing areas in Davao City that will be included in the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (Enipas) under Republic Act No. 11038, which would limit recreational activities and better preserve the ancestral domain of Indigenous Communities (ICs). – av
