Save Davao Shrine Hills

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1. Excellent Efforts Federation. In the meantime, until you are able to upload the documents mentioned in your Petition cover letter, readers can find the same documents on the Barangay Ma-a website in the Files and Pictures section mentioned above.

   
   Stacey Baird
   January 3rd, 2010

2. COMMON SENSE PERIL IDENTIFICATION
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   LAND SLIDE And WATER RUN-OFF

   NATURAL CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO LANDSLIDE PERILS

   GRAVITY
   HIGH ANGLE SLOPES
   TORRENTIAL MONSOON RAINS INCREASING OVER TIME WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
   SANDY, LOOSE, UNSTABLE SEA BOTTOM SOIL
   EARTHQUAKE OR OTHER TECTONIC ACTIVITY

   AGGRAVATING CONDITIONS INCREASING SEVERITY & SERIOUSNESS

   LOSS OF NATURAL GROUND COVER & RAIN ABSORPTION
   REMOVAL OF AGE OLD SUPPORTING SOIL STRUCTURES
   DEEP PENETRATION OF RAINS WHICH LUBRICATE UNDERSIDE OF SOIL LAYERS AND INCREASING EASE OF MOVEMENT
   INCREASED SPEED AND AMOUNT OF RUN-OFF CREATING EROSION UNDERCUTTING SUPPORTING GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
   EARTH QUAKE IN COMBINATION WITH ALL THE OTHER CONDITIONS
   “LEAST COST” ENGINEERING and SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
   FAILURE TO TIMELY MONITOR AND REPAIR ENGINEERED MITIGATING MEASURES OVER TIME.

   
   Stacey Baird
   January 3rd, 2010

3. Sunday, October 12, 2008 SUNSTAR DAVAO
   Other features
   Davao as viewed from the ground
   By Carlo P. Mallo and Grace L. Plata
   A TERRAIN analysis study conducted jointly by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Southern Mindanao, together with the Philippine Canadian Environmental and Economic Management (PCEEM) as early as December of 2001, showed that indeed it is a waiting nightmare to put up structures, particularly one’s home, in a sloping terrain.
   In the study dubbed as the Terrain Classification and Analysis of the Talomo Lipadas Watershed Area, it was shown that the location of Southern Mindanao is in an area extremely vulnerable to seismic activity, and that the mountainous terrain of the area makes it susceptible to flooding.
   Although the study was solely conducted on the 38,300-hectare area of the Talomo-Lipadas Watershed in Davao City, the study nonetheless provided a bird’s eye view of the terrain situation of Southern Mindanao.
   Seismically Active
   Based on the geographical analysis of the study, Davao City and the rest of Southern Mindanao lie on the eastern fringe of the southernmost portion of the Central Mindanao Volcanic Zone and are bounded by three trenches on its western and eastern sides.
   The Talomo-Lipadas watershed area has at least three dormant volcanoes, Mt. Apo, Mt. Talomo, and Mt. Sibulan.
   “The Sulu and Cotabato trench on the west, and the Philippine trench on the East,” the study said, adding that the three trenches are active subduction zones, with the Cotabato trench subducting eastward while the Philippine trench is subducting to the west.
   The study also showed that the active Philippine Fault, which triggered the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake, cuts across the entire length of the Agusan-Davao Basin. The fault enters through Surigao and exits into the Pujada Bay in Davao Oriental.
   Floodplains
   Furthermore, the study showed that areas located within 50 to 100 meters from a main river channel are most prone to flooding, which happens at least once a year. However, an oral interview conducted by the proponents of the study showed that a recurring destructive flood cycle is also being experienced at least every 15 to 20 years.
   Even if flooding in Southern Mindanao is triggered climatically, the increasing urbanization of the area and the decreasing vegetation cover are some factors that are now greatly contributing to the flooding.
   Should a residential area be pushed, the study said that costly mitigating measures would have to be put in place in the area to avoid disasters. Being a mountain slope, the Talomo-Lipadas area is not suitable for residential settlements, especially the foot slope area, which is prone to flooding and liquefaction.
   Three requirements, which should be applied to all areas eyed for residential developments, were enumerated in the study; low fertility of the soil, good natural drainage, and high stoniness of the soil.
   If only these three requirements were constantly kept in mind by people who scout for residential areas, or even just for the location of their own home, tragedies like that of Masara would never hog the limelight.
   Formerly named as the Philippines-Canada Environmental and Economic Management, I is now called as ‘PCEEM Davao,’ which stands for People Collaborating for Environmental and Economic Management of Davao Foundation, Inc. The organization is a non-stock, non-profit organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the words behind the acronym may have changed, it has retained its core values as an inclusive, impartial and collaborative organization that taps dynamic participation of multi-sector stakeholders to ensure sustainable management of the Talomo-Lipadas Watersheds.
   Hillside developments
   In Davao City, the issue on the development of Shrine Hills into subdivisions remains aggressively opposed due to fears of landslide. Much of the opposition come from the residents below in Ma-a, who armed with technical findings of their own, insists that such project may prove fatal.
   In the 2006 terrain mapping of the area by the MGB in Southern Mindanao reveal that the top portion of Shrine Hills in Matina in Davao City is stable, but its anticline or flanks are weak.
   A terrain map designates the different landforms and their vulnerabilities. Senior Geologist Diana Kristine Velasco, who led the group, however said that mitigating measures can make the flanks stable.
   With these findings, the City Government of Davao in 2006 has committed not to issue any development permits on Shrine hills unless mitigating measures are first implemented by the developers.
   City Administrator Wendel Avisado said since land on Shrine Hills are privately owned, all the City Government could do is make sure that mitigating measures are in place before they issue permits for any developments in the area.
   Crown Communities, one of the real estate developers in Ma-a, just recently said they have implemented standard measures in the development of their sloping 24-hectare property.
   Its officials also said they have spent more that P1 million for the study of the area, even prior to their actual purchase of the property.
   The MGB confirmed this saying the developers have completed the requirements including the Engineering Geologic and Geo-hazard Assessment.
   Everyone’s talking of “measures” but no one has put in tangible terms what these measures are.
   Down the hill, they fear
   Last May 2008, real estate developers with projects in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City were required by MGB to submit a comprehensive report on the geo-hazards in their respective area.
   Among the threats identified by MGB is the possibility of ground movement and ground subsidence, more commonly known as sink holes. The threat varies, depending on the development introduced in the area.
   Despite the reassurances of MGB and the city government that potential developers have been compliant to the requirements set by the city, the Federation of Homeowners Association of Barangay Ma-a are not convinced. These are the homeowners occupying the foot of the Shrine Hills.
   Norma Javellana, Trinidad Greenhills Homeowners Association president and from the Federation of Homeowners Association of Barangay Maa, in a letter to the City Planning and Development Office and copy furnished to Councilor Pilar Braga last March voiced their concerns.
   “We, the homeowners below the DMC-UPDI and Crown Communities Subdivision projects on Maa-Shrine Hills are still not assured of our safety after the February 29, 2008 presentations of the two subdivision developers,” Braga read out the letter to her colleagues last March.
   “Our fear and anxieties have not been assured. We and Barangay Maa Federation of Homeowners Associations would like to see and get a copy of the engineering plans of DMC-UCPI and Crown Communities. We also like to have a copy of their Environmental Impact Studies (EIS). We would study these documents to determine how our safety is assured,” stated the letter.
   Javellana added they “question the clearance issued for the 1.7-kilometer cemented access road of DMC-UPDI as the road is on a steep and unstable hill” and asked the two developers to do an EIS for the access road “hovering over our subdivisions.”
   The association’s environmental committee also debunked the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report for Palm Grove West Housing Subdivision in Barangay Maa and Matina.
   The report says the land on which the subdivision stands is stable.
   “Landscapes of old landslides are present in two sites. Many coconut trees are tilting down slope. Engineer Allan Botuyan’s study found sections of land in the site as not stable,” wrote Wilfredo Mosqueda, a member of the association’s environment committee, in a letter to the City Planning and Development Office dated March 11.
   Mosqueda introduced himself as a holder of a master’s degree in Natural Resources from California ‘s Humboldt State University.
   Mosqueda also contradicted the report that said the “sliding along the structures will never take place.”
   “Landslides will take place. The sheer strength that is operating on the underlying rocks and ground materials has been degraded as implied by the old landslides. Areas in the vicinities of similar geological history and development experienced landslides,” Mosqueda said in his letter.
   Recently, the association’s environmental watch committee chair Jimmy Olegario also wrote CPDO regarding the construction.
   Olegario said “the spot hazard investigation report… discusses a major rotational landslide of July 4, 2000. The engineer’s report appears quite reliable, unbiased, fair and, untainted by any personal interest.”
   Olegario was referring to a report made by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Southern Mindanao geologist Maria Luisa Jacinto in 2000.
   Such report, according to Olegario, “emphasized strongly that future dangerous landslides would occur.”
   The homeowners association, citing Jacinto’s report, said it is also imperative to order the immediate stoppage of all quarrying activities within Shrine Hills.
   The same statement stressed the importance of informing those engaged in quarrying activities, as well as those living within the vicinity of the danger of further mass movement especially during heavy rains.
   “Residents near the foot of the slopes should be warned of the possibility of further landslides and debris flow,” it added.
   The homeowners association also questioned why developers are allowed to construct and other clearing activities when DENR has already warned strongly against changing the natural beds of streams, cutting and quarrying the hillside, and clearing the land in its reports last 2000 and 2006.
   Due to these complaints, the matter was returned to the City Council for verification and investigation.
   Until present, however, Braga said the hearings of the City Council on the matter are still ongoing and developments at the Shrine Hills continue, the winding roads of the subdivision that provide scenic views of the city, a great come-on to would-be homeowners.

   
   Stacey Baird
   January 3rd, 2010

4. MA-A / SHRINE HILL DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS

   1.How might landslides and run-off from Ma-a – Shrine Hill, affect our homes and lives?

   2.Could basic services such as electric power and water be interrupted?

   3.Could rain water run-off flood parts of Spring and other Villages, damaging our homes, clogging canals and over-flooding sewers and drainage?

   4.How much Liability Insurance or Bonding does DMC Urban Property Developers, Inc. carry to repay avalanche / landslide damage and loss of life? Will assets be left in the company to pay potential claims? How Much?

   5.Are sandy soils with chunks of ancient corals prone to sliding and avalanche after heavy rains?

   6.What if a Level Six intensity earthquake occurred during several days of heavy rain?

   7.What should be done about Engineer Diana Velasco’s statement that Matina Hills sides are weak and prone to landslide? (Sun Star –November 6, 2006.

   8.Should risk to life and damage to property be put upon homeowners and the public at large for the profit of the Developer?

   9.Remember the Cherry Hills Subdivision tragedy in Antipolo, Rizal wherein 57 people perished and hundreds of millions of pesos worth of investments and property became water and mud because of avalanches?. Is the landslide risk to Spring Village and other subdivisions any less than Baguio, Leyte, Compostela Valley and hundreds of other hill side development landslides?

   10.With possible destruction of life and property, should the people at risk be able to say “No!”?

   11.Should such a for-profit risk transfer to the Public involving potential loss of life and certain damage be allowed?

   12.Should the scenic beauty and natural wonder of Ma-a Shrine Hill be erased?

   
   Stacey Baird
   January 3rd, 2010

5. In the event a member is asked if it isn’t too late to stop irresponsible Shrine Hill development and preservation of its natural state, ecology and watershed benefits because Developers have already invested so much money, we should reply:

   “Is it ever too late to do the right thing?”
   DeLaughter told the jury of eight blacks and four whites.
   “For the sake of justice and the hope of us as a civilized society,
   I sincerely hope and pray that it’s not.”

   It was DeLaughter’s dogged 1994 prosecution and the subsequent conviction of Ku Klux Klan member Byron De La Beckwith for the murder of Medger Evers in the 1960′s that helped trigger the reopening of dozens of civil rights cold cases.

   
   JS Baird
   January 5th, 2010