Davao City group calls for urgent restoration of Matina Pangi watershed after flooding

Davao City's Matina Pangi watershed is facing calls for urgent rehabilitation after flooding on January 4 displaced over 2,000 people and damaged infrastructure. The flooding was worsened by manmade factors like quarrying, which reduced the area's ability to manage heavy rainfall. The environment group IDIS highlighted that sedimentation and the lack of wetlands contributed to the river's overflow. They noted that urban settlements along the riverbanks blocked natural drainage, exacerbating the flooding situation. IDIS urged the city government to create a watershed management plan and enforce stricter regulations on mining and quarrying. They emphasized the need for improved flood management strategies to prevent future disasters.