Environmentalists will not put guard down despite veto

DAVAO CITY-  The Green Davao Coalition, a collective group of environmentalists says they will not be complacent despite Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s veto of the City Land Use Plan amendment.

In a signed letter dated February 19, Mayor Duterte vetoed City Ordinance 0487-16 or an ordinance amending  Section 13, Article IX of the City Land Use Plan ( Ordinance 0546-13 Series of 2013)  incorporates the 10% green spaces into the 30% requirement for open spaces.

“The Mayor heeded our call.. but we will not be complacent.  We are preparing for the Sangguniang Panlungsod's response to the Mayor's veto. We remain vigilant and hopeful that participatory governance will prevail.” The coalition said in their statement in anticipation of a Council override.

Members of the coalition gathered early morning 5 a.m. last February 22 at Quezon Park, across Davao City Hall. The group joined City Government officials and employees during the flag-raising afterwhich seedlings were distributed to the Department heads.

February 22 was the last deadline for the Mayor to veto the amendment, without the veto, the controversial ordinance would have taken effect.

The Mayor vetoed the amendment as it is an exercise of legislative power in ultra vires (beyond the power) as the city council amendment constitutes to a change in a national law.  The local chief executive also cited that the amendment was vague and ambiguous. The amendment was also prejudicial to public interest according to the Mayor. (PIA/RG Alama)