May 2009 be the year of Group of 8 at SP Davao City

Quietly, 2009 slipped in to greet Davao City a better year ahead.

An active Ma-a Homeowner chided me for not including the Group of 8 in the SP in my Christmas greetings. Mea culpa. The Group of 8 is the name given by the Maa Homeowners to the 8 councilors who, even if they are not 1st District councilors, voted to protect the lives and properties of residents living below the environmentally critical Maa hills. They disapproved the PALC application of DMC-UPDI and Crown Communities.

To these Group of 8 Councilors, we salute you.

I and the Maa Homeowners wish the Group of 8 Councilors a 2009 that will provide them the best playing field where they can be true public servants of a deep sense of accountability. May you continue to confirm our right to live peacefully and healthily.

To those Councilors who went on official business and decreased the necessary vote for PALC disapproval, we also wish you a 2009 of better challenges. May you discern the shadows from the path and be with us both in spirit and action.

Indeed, this year will test if the SP is right in approving the PALC.