DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 June) – The impending construction of Elize Point Davao, a luxury subdivision, on the city’s iconic Shrine Hills has continued to face opposition from Sustainable Davao Movement, saying the project would cause environmental harm to the city’s urban ecological frontier.
During the media forum on Wednesday, Lemuel Manalo, program director of Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability said that despite being legally zoned for low-density residential development, the site faces “geological risks” from porous limestone soil, heightening susceptibility to landslides, rockfall, and the formation of sinkholes.
“The problem is that these low-density zones, despite being residential, are still prone to geohazards like landslides and sinkholes which already exist and in fact, these are among the reasons that they are protected by city ordinances,” Manalo said in mixed Cebuano and English.
Manalo highlighted Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI maps showing steep slopes, recommending that the area be classified as a high-risk no-build zone under Ordinance No. 0861-22 to enhance safeguards for residents in lower areas against potential disasters.
“It should have been delineated as an Urban Ecological Enhancement Subzone or UEESZ based on the 2013 ordinance,” he said.
But in the 2018 zoning map the area was not delineated as UEESZ after a review even if it’s highly susceptible to landslide, he said, adding the low-density residential classification was maintained, allowing Elize Point to enter.
Ecoteneo director Carmela Marie Santos said these areas should be allocated as green spaces rather than for residential and commercial use.
“They say Davao City is so wide. We have Mt. Apo, so we should not worry about green spaces. It would be a loss if it would be gone just because of one project. It will be a washed-up legislation on paper if we don’t push for its protection and if we don’t hold our leaders accountable,” Santos said.
SDM is advocating disaster-resilient and green communities, particularly non-sprawl housing and the preservation of the city’s ecological spaces.
Elize Point is a luxury residential project in Matina, Davao City spanning 11 hectares along Shrine Hills. This is Discovery World Corporation’s first residential development venture in the city.
In a post on its Facebook page on June 18, Elize Point said the company held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 17 “to mark the commencement of site development activities on the property.”
“It broke ground on a 4-hectare area covered by a Development Permit issued on January 31, 2023. Within this vicinity, Elize Point presently has 26 lots being marketed to potential real estate brokers and buyers, covered by DHSUD License to Sell No. 0000939 issued on March 10, 2023,” it said.
“The area is part of a larger 11-hectare property which has other potential areas of development, currently under study for expansion. Any further developments will be subject to the approval of the City Council and relevant government agencies upon presentation,” it said.
It added the One Davao Townships Corporation, the developer, “will continue to comply with local ordinances, zoning restrictions, and development regulations,” and that “any materials stating otherwise from the information above are false and misleading.” (Alyssa Ilaguison/MindaNews)
