Council warns holiday crowds off protected rivers to keep Davao’s water safe

DAVAO CITY (December 23) — As families plan outings this Christmas and New Year, City Councilor Temujin Ocampo is urging Dabawenyos to skip rivers, waterfalls, and other protected areas, warning that holiday crowds put both people and the city’s water supply at risk.

Ocampo, chair of the City Council’s environment committee, said protected watersheds are not picnic sites. They are critical sources of drinking water and are especially vulnerable during peak holiday visits.

“Sa atoang pagsaulog sa Pasko ug bag-ong tuig, muhangyo mi nga atong ilabay ang basura sa saktong labayanan ug tabangan nato ang paghinlo sa atong siyudad,” Ocampo said in an interview with reporters Monday, Dec. 22, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

He stressed that avoiding protected areas helps prevent accidents and keeps rivers and streams clean for communities that depend on them for water.

Why the warning matters

Environmental watchdog Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) has long raised red flags over activities in the Panigan–Tamugan Watershed, one of Davao City’s most important future water sources.

In recent years, IDIS and Bantay Bukid volunteers documented repeated problems during peak visits:

• Tourists entering restricted river areas
• Trash left behind, including plastic waste and liquor bottles
• Activities near waterways that violate watershed rules

In January 2024, garbage was found along the Panigan River near the Apo Agua intake facility, a key part of the city’s bulk water supply. More recently, concerns over water discoloration in parts of the watershed renewed fears that contamination could threaten public health and long-term water security.

Protected by law — and by the community

Several local laws strictly limit activities in watershed zones. The Panigan–Tamugan Sub-Watershed Ordinance of 2025 bans large-scale and harmful activities that could degrade water quality. The Watershed Conservation Area Protection Ordinance (City Ordinance No. 0675-21) classifies these areas as environmentally critical, requiring prior approval even for trekking.

Improper waste disposal is also punishable under City Ordinance No. 0361-10, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance.

Indigenous Peoples living near the watershed help protect it under the principle of Pusaka, which treats nature as a shared heritage that must be safeguarded for future generations.

A holiday appeal

City officials say the message is simple: celebrate responsibly. Choosing safer, non-protected destinations and disposing of trash properly helps prevent accidents today and ensures clean water tomorrow.

“This is about discipline and bayanihan,” Ocampo said, calling on residents to live out the city’s “Dabawenyo DCplinado” values during the holidays — for the safety of families and the sustainability of Davao City’s water sources.