Chairperson, Committee on Housing
Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Davao City
Subject: On-going development of DMC Urban Property Developers, Inc. in their property located at Maa Hills
Dear Councilor Cabling,
It is with sadness that we write to you with respect to the hearing conducted last Oct. 17, 2007. It was apparent from the discussion that the Ma-a residents affected by the subdivision project of DMC-UPDI will simply become victims of their development particularly when heavy rains pour and our lives and properties are threatened by landslide or flooding and that no sound recourse could be expected from your committee that would alleviate our fears.
With regards to the issue of flooding brought about by the spine road construction of DMC-UPDI without drainage canal, they committed to widen the drainage canal along their property but without improvement of the main line leading to Datu Loho creek, the water is still bound to overflow unto the streets and low-lying houses in the area.
They said there is a major drainage improvement that they will do, but they also have the gall to say that it will only be done simultaneous with the implementation of the phase 1 of their housing project. The phase 1 is located on the uppermost part of their property (closer to the Shrine road) and the development would entail clearing of more land area, cuts and excavations, movement of heavy equipments, slope modification and other construction activities that would lead to greater water run-off and probable instability on the slopes. They caused the flooding in Ma-a to get worst and the only solution they have has certain conditions attached to it which is only beneficial to them. ISN’T THIS BLACKMAIL? WHY NOT CONSTRUCT THEIR MAJOR DRAINAGE PLAN FIRST BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE 1 OF THEIR SUBDIVISION?
To us, it is already a cause for indignation the deceitful move of DMC-UPDI to conceal in the beginning their true intention of developing a housing project to the Environmental Management Bureau, City Engineer’s Office and the Barangay Council so they could be issued a Certificate of Non-Coverage and they could proceed with their “access road” without a need for an environment permit when in reality, the access road is the start of their subdivision project. Now, they want us to simply endure the worsening flooding while they continue with their developments unhampered.
On the issue of soil erosion and landslides, we remain fearful of the original findings of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau and concurred by the study of QSTS regarding the identified geo-hazards along the Ma-a-Shrine Hills. For the moment, we shall evaluate and study the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report we received from MGB.
In the hearing you mentioned twice that you are wondering why our concerns have been brought to your committee when DMC-UPDI has not even applied for a subdivision plan. From the very first letter we submitted to you, we pointed out that the ultimate goal of DMC-UPDI is for a housing project. Given that people are already being affected and we already know their plan to put up a subdivision, isn’t that enough cause for you to be involved? Are the concerns of these affluent developers more important to you than the people they have hassled?
Does “the end justify the means” hold true for this issue? Does a high end, plush subdivision catering to the moneyed few more important than the safety and protection of the many affected people of Ma-a whose everyday lives are inconvenienced by this housing project?
We thank you for the time you have invested to hear our case, and we hope you sleep soundly at night when heavy rains come and the affected people of Ma-a are on the guard against flooding and landslides.
With regards to the issue of flooding brought about by the spine road construction of DMC-UPDI without drainage canal, they committed to widen the drainage canal along their property but without improvement of the main line leading to Datu Loho creek, the water is still bound to overflow unto the streets and low-lying houses in the area.
They said there is a major drainage improvement that they will do, but they also have the gall to say that it will only be done simultaneous with the implementation of the phase 1 of their housing project. The phase 1 is located on the uppermost part of their property (closer to the Shrine road) and the development would entail clearing of more land area, cuts and excavations, movement of heavy equipments, slope modification and other construction activities that would lead to greater water run-off and probable instability on the slopes. They caused the flooding in Ma-a to get worst and the only solution they have has certain conditions attached to it which is only beneficial to them. ISN’T THIS BLACKMAIL? WHY NOT CONSTRUCT THEIR MAJOR DRAINAGE PLAN FIRST BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE 1 OF THEIR SUBDIVISION?
To us, it is already a cause for indignation the deceitful move of DMC-UPDI to conceal in the beginning their true intention of developing a housing project to the Environmental Management Bureau, City Engineer’s Office and the Barangay Council so they could be issued a Certificate of Non-Coverage and they could proceed with their “access road” without a need for an environment permit when in reality, the access road is the start of their subdivision project. Now, they want us to simply endure the worsening flooding while they continue with their developments unhampered.
On the issue of soil erosion and landslides, we remain fearful of the original findings of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau and concurred by the study of QSTS regarding the identified geo-hazards along the Ma-a-Shrine Hills. For the moment, we shall evaluate and study the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report we received from MGB.
In the hearing you mentioned twice that you are wondering why our concerns have been brought to your committee when DMC-UPDI has not even applied for a subdivision plan. From the very first letter we submitted to you, we pointed out that the ultimate goal of DMC-UPDI is for a housing project. Given that people are already being affected and we already know their plan to put up a subdivision, isn’t that enough cause for you to be involved? Are the concerns of these affluent developers more important to you than the people they have hassled?
Does “the end justify the means” hold true for this issue? Does a high end, plush subdivision catering to the moneyed few more important than the safety and protection of the many affected people of Ma-a whose everyday lives are inconvenienced by this housing project?
We thank you for the time you have invested to hear our case, and we hope you sleep soundly at night when heavy rains come and the affected people of Ma-a are on the guard against flooding and landslides.
Respectfully yours,
TRINIDAD GREENHILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOC. INC.
(SGD) Ma. Miranda C. Cordova
Secretary
(SGD) Norma Javellana
President
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. Mario Luis Jacinto, City Planning & Devt. Office
Engr. Lorna Ricardo, Asst District Engineer, DPWH
Bgy. Ma-a Federation of Homeowners Association Inc.
Ma-a Punong Barangay, Capt. Jun Laud Jr.
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