Hon. A
rnulfo CablingChairman, Committee on Housing
Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Davao City
Subject: On-going development of DMC Urban Property Developers, Inc. in their property located at Maa HillsDear
Councilor Cabling,
First of all, we would like to thank you for putting our concerns in your agenda last Sept. 26, 2007. We appreciate the fair treatment you have accorded to all concerned parties.
Base on our assessment of the public hearing conducted by your office, we would like to emphasize the following:
1. DMC-UPDI applied for a spine road project with the City Engineer’s Office allegedly to provide access to their property. However, as per letter dated July 30, 2007 from Engr. Leonora Gutierrez, Project Development Officer of DMC-UPDI, they acknowledged that they intend to develop the property into “the best and most conducive place of residence to their prospective buyers” (please refer to Annex A). Since their application is only for a spine road, they were not required to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environment Management Bureau. The extent of clearing and excavation on their property would make anyone conclude that what they are doing is not just a mere access road. (Please see photos marked as Annex B-C-D). The move by DMC-UPDI of applying for a spine road project instead of revealing their true intention of developing a housing project at the onset was an obvious attempt to escape from the tedious process of doing an Environmental Impact Study which is a prerequisite to get an ECC from EMB. Any development on a hill with steep slopes, more so a housing project, would need an ECC.
2. It is general information that DMC-UPDI is a well known property developer. Shouldn’t their application for a spine road scrutinized before they were allowed to proceed? Didn’t anyone suspect that considering the extent of mass-movement and development already being done, that there is more to this project than a simple spine road? As it is, the subdivision plan will come after they have denuded an extensive part of the hill without considering first its environmental impact on the neighboring communities and Davao City in general.
3. The first natural consequence of mass-movement in the property of DMC-UPDI was the uncontrollable flow of water during rainy days. Together with the Federation of Homeowners Association in Maa, we complained about the excessive water run-off from their property during heavy downpour. Flooding in areas which previously was not affected by heavy rains have also occurred when DMC-UPDI started their development. It was only during this time that DPWH was consulted and according to Asst District Engineer, Engr. Lorna Ricardo, the Maa drainage canal is already utilized beyond its capacity. Shouldn’t DPWH been consulted first before any bulldozer came in to uproot trees and create road for the owner at the expense of the residents who have been peacefully living in the area? It is also apparent that there was no coordination between CEO and DPWH and when they finally did, it was found out that the design of MAA drainage system is insufficient to accommodate more water brought about by the DMC-UPDI development.
4. But what concern us most is the instability of the hill we share with DMC-UPDI and the environmental implication of their continuous and intensive advancement in the area. According to the Geohazard Identification Report on the Proposed Housing Project of DMC-UPDI in Bgys Maa and Matina Shrine Hills prepared by the Mines and Geoscience Bureau dated January 2006 (see Annex E), the area exhibits high risks in terms of mass movement activities such as landslides, rockfalls and creep. The mass movement processes can be triggered by seismic activity, hydraulic action, or by excessive loading along steep slopes. How can you expect us to sleep soundly at night when, everytime it rains we are on our toes listening for rumbling sounds or any sign that would indicate a landslide? The developer has contracted the services of QSTS to conduct a detailed geologic study on their property but they refuse to share the findings with us. Is there something they are hiding from us?
We believe that unlike other newly-built residential communities in Maa, the proximity of DMC-UPDI to existing subdivision and the topography of their property is a serious basis for anxiety. Also, the timing of development came when the drainage system of Davao City, particularly Bgy. Maa requires major upgrading and enhancement in order to accommodate the growing urbanization.
In view of the foregoing, we respectfully request your good office to:
1. Suspend the on-going development and the subsequent subdivision plan of DMC-UPDI until the City Government has implemented a comprehensive drainage improvement plan with particular emphasis on Barangay Maa.
2. Restrain other developers from starting a housing project in the Maa-Matina Shrine Hills, including the Crown Communities, until the issue of drainage system has been resolved and the stability and suitability for more housing projects in the Maa-Matina Shrine Hills has been assured.
3. Create limitations in the development of spine road/access road by setting descriptions on the size/width of the road and limit the extent of mass-movement such that the land clearing and excavation is minimal and will not affect the neighboring properties (especially in the case of sloping areas where there are underlying estate/land).
Your honor, we are all familiar with the tragedy that befell the residents of Cherry Hills Subdivision in Antipolo, Rizal where 57 people were killed, and the landslide in St. Bernard in Southern Leyte where 2000 people perished. We ask for your assurance that if the housing project of DMC-UPDI pushes thru, our security and welfare as residents in the area would not be in anyway at risk by their development.
Thank you and rest assured of our cooperation in threshing out the above concerns.
Respectfully yours,
TRINIDAD GREENHILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOC. INC.(SGD). Ma. Miranda C. CordovaSecretary
(SGD) Norma JavellanaPresident
CC:Councilor Leo Avila, Chairperson, S.P Environment Committee
Director Metodio Turbella, Environment Management Bureau
Director Edilberto L. Arreza, Mines and Geosciences Bureau
Engr. Joaquin B. Cui Jr., City Engineer’s Office
Engr. Lorna Ricardo, Asst District Engineer, DPWH
Federation of Homeowners Association in Bgy. Maa
Fig.3- Cherry Hills Landslides (source: MGB, DENR) http://www.sabo-int.org/projects/philippines.html
