PRIVILEGE SPEECH
Rachel P. Zozobrado
January 27, 2009
Regular Session

Madam President,
Esteemed Colleagues in the 15th City Council,
SP staff and employees,
Friends from the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.

I rise on a personal and collective privilege, to talk about that matter which is very dear to all of us.

That which is the source of life, the very same thing which, perhaps due to its perceived abundance, we sometimes take for granted…..

WATER.

Many may look at the geography of our City and see the Davao Gulf, the vast numbers of rivers and streams, and be lulled by a false security the presence of all these bodies of water may give us.

Sharo makabsan ta og tubig, di lagi na muhubas, not a few of us might say with confidence.

But, although we are blessed with plenty, our fresh water is not an unlimited resource. We should do everything we can to sustain and protect it.

In the face of a great many pressures on our water — from population growth, climate change, pollution and invasive species — we know we have to continue to take strong action to preserve and protect what is so essential to our quality of life.

Along with this is the protection of our aquifer and watersheds.

Our watersheds are significant water reservoirs for the 1.5 million, or so, residents of Davao City. Its forest houses indigenous species of plants, trees, and animals -- such is a wonder and a rarity within the boundaries of a thriving metropolitan. Thriving in the midst of an urban environment, it is inevitable that this sanctuary is vulnerable to encroachment and changing of land use to give way to the demands of urbanization. Clearly, protection of such a vital asset is needed to be in place.

Thus, in 2007, after years of reviews and study, the Watershed Protection, Conservation and Management Ordinance of the City, or Davao City’s Watershed Code, was enacted. And last year, the Implementing Rules and Regulations, were finally put in place. Many have lauded this landmark legislation which sought, among others, the protection of the aquifers and water resource areas from prohibited activities and for the protection against all forms of pollution or ecological imbalance.

The Code identified watersheds, especially those within the conservation area, as environmentally critical areas, where development or commercial activity of any sort is prohibited to ensure the sustainability of the city’s water supply. This would most definitely serve as a shield against the dangers posed on the ecosystem and the communities benefiting from the watershed area.

And now, even in its infancy, the provisions of our city’s Watershed Code are put to test.

For now, we are confronted, among others, with the controversial tussle between the Davao City Water District and Hedcor for the use of the Tamugan-Panigan River. An area identified in our Watershed Code as a conservation area.

There is no question that the goals and efforts of both DCWD and Hedcor are laudable and will inure to the benefit of the Davaoeños.

For who can question the importance of both water and power in our lives?

Who is not tempted by the declaration of the DCWD that several barangays, especially those of the second and third district which have been deprived for so long, will finally have continued access to potable water?


And who can resist the economic benefits, the potential sources of income, the long awaited infrastructure projects promised by Hedcor?

In a utopian world, or perhaps a less profit-oriented world, we would have had a happy compromise and enjoy the benefits of both.

But, perhaps, that is not to be.

And when we are confronted with stark reality, when push comes to shove, when we are faced with the task of choosing only one, for this particular area…. Water or power… the fact remains that:

While the Earth’s surface is composed of 70% water, almost all of this water, 97.2 %, to be exact, is in the ocean. Of the remaining 2.8%, 2.1 % is found in the polar icecaps and glaciers. Only 0.6% of the water on earth is fresh water found in lakes, rivers, and ground water. The remaining 0.1% is brackish water such as that found in the Great Salt Lake or the Dead Sea. Only a small part of the Earth’s Fresh water, therefore, is actually potable or safe for human use.

The importance of preserving watersheds, aquifer, and such other water resource for the primary purpose of sourcing potable water supply for Davao City, could not, therefore, be over emphasized.

And this, madam president, I believe, was what the authors and movers of the Watershed Code had in mind. This was the very reason for the identification and declaration of Tamugan as among the conservation areas of our City. It is undeniable that the rationale behind the express prohibition against the conduct of development and commercial activities in these identified environmentally critical areas is to ensure the SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CITY’S WATER SUPPLY.

The Code could not be clearer than that.

It is toward this end, madam president, that this humble representation respectfully seek the help of her esteemed colleagues in this body. This representation humbly appeal, Madam President, dear Colleagues, that we make the enactments and ordinances that we have made, WORK … just a little bit more.


For if we have to amend, if we must amend, let us amend when the cobwebs of doubt have been totally cleared from our minds and our hearts.

A wise man used to say: “Only after the last tree has been felled, the last river poisoned, the last fish caught, will man know that he cannot eat nor drink money.”

Let it be said, madam president, that during our watch, while gifted with intelligence and insight, with privilege and position, with the wealth of wisdom, and with the freedom and power of the human will.

Let it be said that in our time, and during our watch, we did our share. Let it be that in the hour of reckoning, when we look back, we look back not with regret but with gratification. And maybe, just maybe, we will make a little difference.

Thank you and once again, good morning.

Dabawenyos should protect water sources before it dries up

Water may cover over 70% of the earth’s surface but Dabawenyos should disabuse their minds and stop believing that water is an infinite resource because it is not.

“Dabawenyos are very lucky because we have one of the cleanest potable water in the world---the second actually,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. However, she added, we should learn how to use our water wisely and protect our water sources from contaminants.

The world’s water supply is being depleted at an alarming rate and we should not think that we here in Davao are exempted from this worldwide phenomenon, she said. Just recently, Zozobrado said, the United States has admitted that at least 36 States are set to face water shortage in the next five years due to the drying up of their water sources as a result of drought, rising temperatures, urban sprawl, population growth excessive use and waste of water.

The Davao City Water District has already admitted that it is not comfortable with the 70-year lasting capacity projection on underground water sources. DCWD is thus undertaking studies to search for alternative sources of potable water supply. As if this was not enough, a study conducted by the Ateneo de Davao University and the DCWD confirmed the presence of pesticide in the city’s premier watersheds.

“This should be a wake up call to all of us to protect out water sources considering the growing population of Davao and the increasing industrialization of the city,” she said. We should put a premium and prioritize the safety of our water sources if we do not want to end up like the US, Australia, Africa and other countries faced with water shortage, she said. It is not only the US that is experiencing water shortage problems because even Australia is in the middle of a 30-year dry spell.

Zozobrado said the fact that Asia has 60% of the world’s population but we only have about 30% of the world’s fresh water supply. That is a very macro way of viewing the impending water problem but we can confront it by looking at our own water sources, she said.

She said DCWD has opposed the Hedcor-proposed hydroelectric power plants in Tamugan and Panigan rivers despite Hedcor’s assurance that it would not affect the city’s water supply because it already foresees a brewing water problem even without the plant.

“An increase in demand, the presence of pesticides in our water and now the planned construction of a power plant right on top of our water source may just put too much pressure on our aquifers and we would have to rue our decisions later on.” Zozobrado said.

Mersin City’s solar technology to benefit Davao City

The benefits that Davao City can derive from the proposed sisterhood agreement with Mersin City in Turkey are almost endless but one significant area the city can start with is Mersin’s solar technology.

“It is high time that Davao City look for an alternative source of energy and one of the best sources we can tap is solar energy which is already widely used in Mersin City,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. She said the committee on international relations is in the process of gathering data and is set to propose a twinning agreement with Mersin City.

Mersin City is a highly developed city which boasts of being the location of the 52-floor Mertim Tower, the second tallest skyscraper in Turkey. However, Zozobrado said, what is distinctive about Mersin City is the use of solar heating panels on top of every building.

The signing into law of the Renewable Energy Act 2008 also known as RA 9513 last December 16 should encourage businesses to explore the possibility of investing in renewable energy sources in Davao City. This law, which provides tax and other incentives for businesses that will invest in renewable energy sources, signifies a more politically and economically-friendly atmosphere for these types of investments.

Solar panels are everywhere in Mersin City and we can replicate that here in Davao City, Zozobrado said. Solar energy can be converted into other energy forms to generate power through the use of devices called solar panels. Solar panels are multi-purpose because they can be used to generate electricity, heat and for domestic purposes such as heating home water.

“Solar panels are the same devices that brought power to Barangay Dalag in Marilog District,” Zozobrado said. The project, which was spearheaded by the Yamog non government organization, USAID and Davao Light Power Corporation (which provided the solar panels), has provided power to 30 households and two street lighting facilities in Marilog.

If this was done in Marilog, she said, then there is a possibility of doing this for some if not all parts of Davao City. “We can get feedback from Mersin City as to how they made the installation of solar panels in all buildings possible,” she added.

Zozobrado said they are already taking the initial steps to initiate the forging of a sisterhood agreement with Mersin City and hopes to ink something soon,

Business urged: invest in green energy

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado said the signing into law of the Renewable Energy Act 2008 also known as RA 9513 last December 16 should encourage businesses to explore the possibility of investing in renewable energy sources in Davao City.

“This development should even urge Hedcor to look into the possibility of going green considering that it already has the expertise and equipment needed for energy development.” Zozobrado said. It can be recalled that Hedcor came into conflict with the Davao City Water District over the use and development of the Tamugan River.

A total of US$1.23 billion investment in the renewable energy sector is expected by the Philippine government due to the passage of the bill. The country is also expected to reduce the Philippine’s energy self sufficiency rate from 56.5% in 2005 to 60% by 2010 once the law is fully implemented.

Zozobrado said the reduction of fuel prices in the world market is only temporary and it is imperative that energy-dependent countries like the Philippines find alternative sources of energy which will not only save them dollars but will also help the environment.

She said investors can tap alternative and renewable energy like wind, solar, ocean, hydropower and biomass energy. Projections by the Department of Energy shows that the country can save $1.2 billion worth of energy in the next ten year if it is able to get an additional 2.500 megawatts from alternative and renewable energy sources.

If Hedcor’s projection of an impending power crisis is true, she said, then investors should take advantage of the various incentives offered by the Energy Bill and explore the development of renewable energy sources for major cities in the Philippines like Davao.

“With the implementation of the law companies that will invest in renewable energy will be granted a 7-year income tax exemption aside of course from the other incentives provided by the law,” Zozobrado said.

RA 9513 exempts from taxation carbon credits generated from renewable sources. Investors who will invest in renewable energy sources will also enjoy a reduced 10% corporate income tax form the original 30% income tax with the expiration of their income tax holiday. Facilities dedicated to renewable energy will also be given a realty tax cap of 1.5% for facilities and equipment used to produce renewable energy.

Sisterhood agreement between Turkey, Davao eyed

The City of Mersin in Turkey has signified its interest in forging a sisterhood agreement between Mersin and Davao City.

“Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim Guinomla communicated Mersin City’s intention to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. Guinomla used to be based in Davao City.

Zozobrado said all heads present during the First Conference of Heads of Philippine Honorary Consular Posts in Turkey agreed to support all the flagship projects of the Philippine Embassy which includes the forging of sisterhood agreements.

“Mersin City is one of the ten largest cities in Turkey in terms of agricultural, industrial and commercial potential. It is considered the site of the largest port on the Turkish Mediterranean and is the center of maritime commerce in Turkey,” Zozobrado said.

The proposed sisterhood with Turkey aims to foster mutual understanding through people to people exchanges, tourism promotion as well as trade and investment activities. Furthermore, she added, a sisterhood agreement between Mersin City and Davao City will strengthen the overall bilateral relations between Turkey and the Philippines.

As recommended by Ambassador Guinomla, Zozobrado said, Davao should initiate the forging of a sisterhood agreement with Mersin City,

Zozobrado said the Committee on International Relations has already met to discuss the proposed sisterhood agreement.

Ivan Cortez of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center said the planned sisterhood agreement is advantageous to both cities. “The agreement should focus on the demands from both cities specifically on employment, tourism and other business opportunities,” Cortez said.

Mersin City has existing sisterhood pacts with Latakia, Syria and Kushimoto, Japan.