DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor is looking at the reported sprouting of resorts in Marilog district, but operating without government permits including a prior consent from the National Commission on Indigenous People’s (NCIP) over the past years.
Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre even voiced concerns that these resorts are situated in landslide-prone areas or danger zone.
He was also alarmed that lands are being sold at very low price of PHP2,500 a month for five years.
Alejandre, who chairs the City Council Committee on Tourism, said in his listing there are already 30 resorts in Marilog.
Of the number, only two have legal documents for their operation – the Seagull Resort and Highway 88.
Right now, Alejandre said he is focusing in Marilog because there are already many inland resorts in the area and these are already frequented by tourists because of its view and cool weather.
“Sad to know only two establishments have a business permit,” Alejandre said during the I-Speak forum at City Hall on Thursday.
Alejandre said the growing number of inland resorts have been noted since 2012.
In that year, Alejandre said he worked for the declaration of the portion of Marilog as tourism zone from forest land. This is to pave the way for the regulation of tourism development in the area.
He said that some of the resorts are situated in landslide prone areas.
Alejandre was also alarmed that one residential property started development in the area but without PALC (Preliminary Approval and Locational Clearance) or the approval of the city council.
According to Alejandre, the City Planning Development Office (CPDO) and the Business Bureau have been requiring the permits.
He cited the owners’ statement that CPDO would not give them the necessary document because they would need a consent from the NCIP.
Alejandre said the conversion of Marilog from forest land to tourism zone was correct but anyone putting up resorts and other tourism development need the consent of the NCIP because the area is within the Ancestral Domain of the Ata tribe.
Under one of the provisions of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), projects are required to secure the PALC and the Development Permits from the City Council.
Among these projects are the commercial, residential and industrial subdivisions, malls, commercial centers and shopping centers, memorial parks, cemeteries, town houses and apartments, hotels and motels, and warehouses.
If one is putting up projects in tourism zone, these should be in accordance with the guidelines and standards of the Department of Tourism with other special requirements from the city government subject to an environmental impact and vulnerability assessment.
The allowable uses or activities in Tourism Development Zone are eco-tourism, agri-tourism, beach resort, mountain resort, theme parks, other related activities such as tree parks and botanical gardens, and heritage and historical sites.
“We need to take action. It is alarming,” Alejandre said.
On Tuesday’s regular session, Alejandre said he would file a resolution calling for the creation of a Task Force to look into the situation.
He said the Task Force may be composed of the Business Bureau, CPDO, City Treasurer’s office, City Engineer’s Office, NCIP, Liga ng mga Barangay, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
