By Louis ‘Barok’ C. Biraogo

In the serene landscapes of Davao City, a disturbing revelation has emerged, shattering the tranquility and exposing a grievous violation of environmental law. The Sobsob Therapeutic Spring Water Resort, nestled in Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, stands accused of clandestine operations, flouting regulations, and endangering the fragile ecosystems of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed.

Under the shadow of denial from the Watershed Management Council (WMC), this resort has brazenly defied authority, persisting in its activities despite being refused a permit due to its hazardous location within the Critical Watershed Zone. The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, a guiding light of environmental protection, explicitly prohibits the discharge of wastewater in critical watershed areas, yet the Sobsob Resort has callously disregarded this mandate, posing a grave threat to water quality and public health.

The audacity of the resort’s continued operation, even in the face of closure, is a testament to its blatant disregard for environmental regulations and the well-being of the community it purports to serve. Its actions not only undermine the rule of law but also jeopardize the livelihoods and safety of Dabawenyos who rely on the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed as a vital source of potable water.

In the midst of this crisis, a ray of hope illuminates the darkness in the form of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), a stalwart champion of environmental conservation. Idis, led by their knowledgeable management officer Yvette Balayon-Mahinay, has tirelessly campaigned against the illicit operations of the Sobsob Resort, advocating for the protection of critical watersheds and the preservation of Indigenous Communities’ ancestral domains.

Their efforts to engage local authorities, such as Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, in dialogues regarding watershed protection ordinances demonstrate a commitment to grassroots advocacy and civic engagement. By seeking to declare the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed as an Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (Enipas) under Republic Act Number 11038, Idis aims to establish safeguards that will ensure the long-term integrity of this vital ecosystem.

Moreover, Idis has leveraged legal frameworks such as the Davao City Comprehensive Land Use Plan Vol.2 Zoning Ordinance of 2019-2028 to condemn the resort’s illicit activities and warn Dabawenyos of the potential hazards posed by its operations. Their unwavering dedication to environmental justice serves as a beacon of hope in the face of ecological adversity.

As the Sobsob Resort continues to flout environmental regulations with impunity, the urgency of decisive action from local and national authorities cannot be overstated. Immediate intervention is imperative to halt the resort’s unauthorized operations, enforce environmental laws, and safeguard the pristine watersheds that sustain Davao City’s ecological balance.

Prosecution of the resort’s owners for their blatant violations of Republic Act No. 9275 and other pertinent environmental legislation is not only warranted but essential to uphold the integrity of our natural resources and ensure accountability for environmental crimes.

In the echoing silence of Davao City’s verdant landscapes, the fate of its watersheds hangs in the balance. Will authorities heed the clarion call of environmental stewardship, or will the Sobsob Resort’s illicit activities continue to cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of Dabawenyos and their cherished natural heritage? The answer lies in the hands of those entrusted with the solemn duty of environmental protection.