Call for donations:

Having been spared this tragedy, we call on all Davaoenos to share their blessings by donating, non-perishable food, toiletries, and clothes to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Please send your donations to the Davao City Chamber Office at Bajada no later than Oct 8, 2009.

Learning from this tragedy:

The devastation brought about by the unprecedented rainfall precipitated by Ondoy is confirmation that Climate Change is upon us. Scientists and other climate experts, predict that developing countries, especially island nations, will be worst hit by the changes in weather patterns, and by the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters climate change will bring about.

In addition, the same scientists and climate experts, assert that the window to avert or mitigate the impact of Climate Change is no more than 10 years.

Lying outside the typhoon belt, the City of Davao has been spared of typhoons in the past. However, the changes in weather patterns brought about by Climate Change, has begun to impact on our city. Fruit harvests this year were delayed. Similarly, last year, we saw Mango production decline due to heavy rains in the flowering season.

Flooding in the city's streets has become a regular feature expected by motorists, after heavy rains. It used to be that rains in Davao City occurred in the late afternoons, and were light. Today they are short but heavy, and occur in the evenings also. In 2006, the Davao River swelled so much from heavy rains, that it swept away one lane of the Bankerohan Bridge.

On July 26, 2009, over 6-ft high flood waters caused landslides that swept away countless homes in Lizada, Toril. In addition, low lying areas such as Talomo and Bangkal experienced chest-high flood waters, simultaneously. In Mintal, floods also occurred causing lost homes and even lives. 

In the words of DCCCII President Simeon P. Marfori II: “Davao is no longer an exception to natural disasters. With the onset of climate change, it is a disaster waiting to happen. In many cases, the heavy and frequent downpour of rain, in our upland areas, results to chest-high floodwaters in some parts of the city The warning signs are staring at us in the face. ”

What happened to Marikina, Rizal and other affected areas around Metro Manila due to Typhoon Ondoy, cannot be entirely characterized as an abnormal or freak act of nature. Poor drainage systems—a result of poor urban planning and foresight—lack of proper maintenance, and mis-use of waterways and esteros, are even greater culprits that contributed to the tragedy.

“This is the reason why,as early as 2007, the Davao City Chamber has been calling on the City Government not just for the short term improvement of the drainage system of Davao City, but for the complete and long-term upgrading of the same, in order to handle surges in flood waters including the swelling of the Davao River due to heavy and prolonged rains in upland areas. Such a project should also include transferring existing power and telecommunications lines underground and putting up the infrastructure to manage the Davao River as a resource for transportation, tourism and agriculture, rather than as the catch basin for septic discharges. By coordinating efforts, government and private sector stakeholders can achieve better cost-effectiveness and prevent an Ondoy-like tragedy in Davao City”, Marfori bared yesterday.

It is time to recognize that Climate Change is indeed upon us and that we need to address it, otherwise the tragedy of Ondoy will be repeated with us, as well.

The Davao business community firmly believes that our city has the ability to prevent such disasters from having such a devastating impact by putting in place an integrated drainage and flood control system. Being just above sea level, such an infrastructure project should be given the highest priority by our National Government and our Local Government Unit.

DCCCII already conducted several consultative meetings with the utilities and telecommunications companies for the possibility of relocating the web of wires in residential and commercial areas underground.

The Chamber maintains that disaster prevention encompasses even broader environmental protection measures that should be looked at from an integrated perspective. The Davao River is a major inland body of water. At present, it is heavily silted and the riverbanks, most especially near urban areas, are in dire need for protection from constant erosion. “It poses a serious threat to life and property if overflowing occurs. It also presents a bright potential for transport and tourism if developed”, Marfori stressed.

“Inspite of this appalling situation some of our countrymen in the National Capital Region is now into, there is one good thing that can come out of it  - that is, to make sure that it does not happen again” Mr. Marfori said.

Along with the government and other private institutions, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry joins the call to provide relief goods and cash donations for the victims of Ondoy.  To date, it has raised PhP 100,000 cash and almost PhP 200,000 worth of relief goods.  Please send your donations to the Davao City Chamber Office at Bajada, Davao City no later than October 9, 2009. Only non-perishables accepted.