Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta re Green Spaces

(Photo credit: Google)

Below is the copy of the Privilege Speech delivered by 1st District Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta during the Regular Session of the Davao City Council dated February 2, 2016.

Thank you Mr. Floor Leader. Thank you Mr. President. To my colleagues in the 17^th Davao City Council, friends in media, Davaoenyos, Maayong Buntag, Assalamu Alaikum, Good Morning.

I stand before this august hall, on personal privilege, in the presence of my colleagues in public service, and the public whom we swore to serve and represent. I have with me a letter from Eco-teneo, Ateneo de Davao University's advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation, which was received by my office yesterday. The letter is very significant, as it is coming from the academic sector, composed of professors, teachers, students, who put a high value on sustainable development and good governance, and put a premium on the quality of life, especially for the residents of this beloved City.

With your indulgence, please allow me to read en toto, the letter from the academic community, who are also residents, constituents, and stakeholders of Davao City:

Letter of Ms. myLai Santos, Executive Director of Ecoteneo (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

True enough, just as what the letter has stated, figuratively, the stone has been cast, and in actuality, the votes were already cast in last session’s third and final reading. It is also true that their voice was not heard in the committee hearing conducted when the subdivision developers gave their side. Just the same, in the spirit of true democracy, to listen to various stakeholders in the light of a very important concern that will have a long term impact for generations to come, is an honorable thing to do. We are after all, the voice of the people, the representatives of the public that we serve.

I agree, for one, that we should keep the conversation going, within or outside of the legislative framework, if only to widen our perspectives and explore the possibilities of a win-win solution.

I believe, and I believe many others believe so as well, that development and progress, and environmental protection could go together. It is possible that we need not choose one over the other. These two concepts could be harmonized.

To quote a recent news report filed by Karina V. Canedo in an interview with Philippine Statistic Authority Senior Statistical Specialist Maria Leah Magracia, -- “Davao City’s population of 1.6 million recorded in 2010 may have shot up to 1.9 million by this time, given the 2.36% annual average growth rate of the city in years 2000 to 2010. “ According to the same source, the city’s growth rate of 2.36% is even higher than that of the region’s growth rate of 1.97%. It is good to note also that in the same media forum, Magracia said that the increased number of population in the city comes from the increased number of migrants from other places coming to Davao City.

The fast rising population, the increasing annual development growth, the fast growing number of residents and migrants are all signs of fast urbanization. And we must all be aware that rapid urbanization, if unchecked and unbridled, will eventually rear its ugly head, bringing urban problems of pollution, over population, traffic, floods, environmental degradation, low quality of life, and the list goes on.

Let me go back again to the proposition that development and environmental protection could go hand in hand, and should be the norm, for that matter, if we want a progressive and at the same time “green” Davao City. Yes, the scenario of subdivision developers and environmentalists, sitting down and talking and sharing their concerns , and coming up solutions for a common goal of keeping the fine quality of life Davao City, is workable, and possible.

If there are instances that some of the open spaces in existing subdivisions were undeveloped, or appear blighted, then let us all together make sure that the existing housing and subdivision laws are properly implemented. Let us make sure that these spaces are properly utilized so that they are not occupied by informal settlers, or used for personal purposes by unscrupulous individuals. But let us uphold and continue the good and sound policies that equate to sustainable development. “Green” policies are good and sound policies. We ought to have more of them. Let us not step backward and eradicate them. We need to manage our infrastructure programs so that land use and planning could be optimized, not only for this generation, but for the generations to come.

Let us work for a win-win solution. One that is acceptable to property developers and other investors, and with environmental groups, and the local government as well. It is possible. Could tax credits, or tax incentives, for instance, be possible options if business enterprises are “sustainable development-compliant” or “Green Business-compliant ”? Could investors and green advocates work together on Green Programs and initiatives? It is possible. There are many options. Many possibilities. And it can happen when we open our hearts and minds, and listen to each other with mutual respect.

Do we want a city that is mostly grey concrete due to massive infrastructure, which is already happening to most metropolitan cities in the country and in the world? Or do we want a city that is progressive at the same time environment-friendly? We are all stakeholders here. And we all love Davao City. And we are proud of the challenges that we have overcome as a people. We also take pride in the fact that our local leaders headed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Duterte, have established and implemented trail blazing legislations and policies that has made our beloved City, a cut above the rest, a model city in matters of public policy, public welfare, and good governance.

In that light, with the kind indulgence of our colleagues in the council, may I humbly request for a few minutes recess to allow the representative of ECO-teneo, the Ateneo de Davao University's advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation, and University President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, to be heard, Mr. President.

I so move, Mr. President. (30)