ONLY 29 out of the over 90 candidates for the upcoming midterm elections responded to the 2025 Green Vote Campaign of the Davao-based environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis).
Justin Joshua Pungyan, Idis’s environmental research officer, said during the campaign launch on Tuesday, April 15, at the Grand Menseng Hotel that one of the 29 candidates, out of the 96 running in the upcoming election, even submitted his response late.
Of the 96, five were for the mayoralty post, four were for the vice mayoralty, 28 were from the first district (including those who ran for the congressional seat), 27 from the second district, and 32 from the third district.
Of the 96, Idis could only extend an invitation to 77 candidates, and only 29 responded. The number of those who responded, however, was significantly higher than those who responded in 2022 in the same campaign with only 11 candidates.
Among those who responded were a vice mayoral candidate, nine from the first district, seven from the second district, and 12 from the third district.
The candidates were contacted through email, physical letters, or Facebook and Messenger. They were given the option to answer via Google Forms or a paper form. Their responses were added to Idis’ documents for analysis.
Environmental stance of the candidates
In terms of occupancy in watershed areas — referring to people living within these areas for residential, agricultural, or industrial purposes — one candidate said they were in favor, 21 said they were not in favor, and seven expressed reservations.
Regarding the passage of quarry regulations, Idis is currently lobbying for a Quarrying Ordinance at the 20th City Council to regulate the practice due to the damage it causes to rivers. About 22 candidates said they were in favor, one was not in favor, and six had reservations.
On tourism in watershed and conservation areas, 19 candidates had reservations, eight said they were not in favor, and two said they were in favor. Those with reservations said that tourism in watershed areas should be allowed but limited to spiritual, educational, and preservation activities. Others stated that tourism is possible as long as it does not cause environmental harm.
Regarding the construction of the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility in Davao City, 18 candidates said they were in favor, four were not in favor, and seven had reservations. Those with reservations said they wanted to ensure the right technology would be used, some preferred alternatives to incineration, and one noted that the project would only be effective if paired with proper waste segregation.
For the banning of Single-Use Plastics (SUP), around 23 candidates said they were in favor, one was not in favor, four had reservations, and one abstained.
On the implementation of the Davao Bus Project (formerly known as the High Priority Bus System or HPBS), about 25 candidates said they were in favor, four had reservations, and none opposed it.
Regarding the implementation of a vehicle coding and purchase restriction policy, 11 candidates said they were in favor, four said they were not in favor, and 14 had reservations.
Around 24 candidates expressed support for the Local Green Building Code, three had reservations, two abstained, and none opposed it.
On organic farming, 26 said they were in favor, three had reservations, and none opposed it.
For the banning of aerial spraying and pesticide drift, 19 candidates said they were in favor, eight had reservations, two abstained, and none said they were not in favor. In terms of transitioning to renewable energy, 27 candidates were in favor, two had reservations, and none opposed.
About 25 candidates said they supported the Local Environment Code, four had reservations, and none opposed. Around 28 said they were in favor of institutionalizing Bantay Bukid, Bantay Tubig, and other environmental volunteer groups. Only one candidate — Henry Respecia, running for councilor in the second district — was not in favor.
Regarding the construction of the Samal Island–Davao Connector (SIDC) Bridge, 17 said they were in favor, 11 had reservations, and one abstained.
For the amendment of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Ipra), particularly on the issuance of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs), 17 said they were in favor, two were not in favor, nine had reservations, and one abstained.
How will they address environmental issues?
To address traffic congestion in the city, most candidates suggested improving road networks, expanding mass public transportation, and exploring vehicle coding.
Incumbent Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., who is running for councilor in the first district, proposed clearing obstructions, creating green walkways and public spaces, promoting mixed-use development, and planning transport for future growth. For flooding, landslides, and other natural disasters, most candidates proposed tree-planting activities, promoting public disaster preparedness, improving drainage systems, and building flood barriers.
Lawyer Sweet Advincula, who is seeking reelection as councilor in the third district, said the solution to flooding and landslides lies in supporting the drainage master plan, ensuring compliance and monitoring, and conducting thorough zoning reviews with climate disaster risk integration.
Several candidates also offered solutions to drought, urban heat, and rising temperatures. As with flooding, they proposed planting more trees, expanding green spaces, and protecting Davao City’s remaining forest cover.
Javi Campus, incumbent second district councilor now running for congressman in the same district, said that in order to reduce the effects of rising temperatures, climate programs must be monitored, disaster risk reduction integrated, and eco-friendly initiatives promoted.
On the issue of illegal land occupation and selling, some candidates called for stricter enforcement of land-related laws, proper zoning, and improved monitoring of land rights. Others proposed empowering barangays to monitor their jurisdictions and digitizing land records.
Former councilor Pamela Librado said that to address illegal land occupation and selling, there must be a relocation-before-demolition policy, solutions to housing shortages, and provision of decent shelter for all.
On the increasing waste problem in Davao City, many candidates viewed the WTE project and exploring new dump sites as potential solutions. Others called for stricter implementation of existing laws on waste segregation and the Single-Use Plastic Ordinance.
Incumbent second district councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan, chairperson of the committee on water and energy and seeking reelection, emphasized the need to establish a WTE plant, enforce segregation, and promote community-based recycling to address the waste piling up in landfills.
Regarding wildlife hunting and trading in far-flung areas, candidates proposed empowering communities and institutionalizing Bantay Bukid and Bantay Tubig for monitoring.
Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana, a prominent environmental advocate and NGO worker running for first district congress representative, said the solution lies in monitoring wildlife trafficking trends, coordinating with the appropriate agencies, and escalating concerns to the national level if needed.
Several candidates emphasized strict implementation of environmental laws and prosecution of violators as a solution to deforestation and tree poaching. Others advocated for empowering communities and institutionalizing Bantay Bukid volunteers to strengthen forest monitoring.
Ralph O. Abella, running for councilor in the second district, proposed offering alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and continuing reforestation under community-based programs.
Regarding unregulated land use conversion and spot zoning, most candidates suggested strengthening and updating the city’s Zoning Ordinance and raising public awareness on land use.
Incumbent third district councilor Alberto T. Ungab, seeking reelection, said that to prevent such practices, the land use code should be more universal, incorporate current technology, and prohibit spot zoning.
No political big names
During the presentation of the results, it was revealed that two major political families — the Dutertes and the Nograleses — did not respond to the survey.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte (running for mayor), Sebastian “Baste” Duterte (running for vice mayor), Paolo “Pulong” Duterte (running for first district congressman), and his sons Omar (running for second district congressman) and Rigo (running for first district councilor) did not participate in the survey.
Siblings Karlo (running for mayor) and Margarita “Migz” Nograles (running for first district representative) also did not respond.
Other mayoral candidates such as Bishop Rod Cubos, Jonathan Julaine, and Joselito Tan did not respond, either.
What is Green Vote?
The Green Vote was launched in 2019 to help Dabawenyos understand the environmental platforms of candidates and hold them accountable through transparent governance.
The campaign also promotes eco-friendly campaign practices, raises voter awareness, integrates sustainability into political discourse, and aims to establish long-term change.
Lawyer Mark Peñalver, executive director of Idis, said the Green Vote is for Dabawenyos and advised them not to focus only on social and economic concerns but also on environmental issues. He emphasized that economic, social, and environmental aspects go hand in hand in building a sustainable city — and neglecting one leads to flooding and rising temperatures in the future.
“Look into your candidates kung naa pod ba silay commitment sa environmental protection (Look into your candidates to see if they also have a commitment to environmental protection),” he said.
Peñalver revealed that so far, during the campaign sorties in the city, he had not heard any politician with a firm stance on environmental protection, although some expressed their concern on environmental issues during the Green Vote. However, he stressed that the real test comes after the elections, when elected officials must stay true to their Green Vote statements.
Lawyer Romeo Cabarde Jr., from Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (Apila) and member of the Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM), said the results of the Green Vote survey are more than just a list of answers — they are a reflection of the city’s future.
“Some candidates answered with clarity, commitment, and vision. Others hesitated. A few were silent. This tells us who understands that environmental governance is not optional — it is essential. It tells us who is ready to protect our watersheds, regulate destructive development, and push for sustainable, inclusive, and science-based principles,” he said.
Echoing Peñalver’s sentiments, Cabarde emphasized that voting is only the first step — the next is holding elected officials accountable. He said that citizens have the collective responsibility to monitor, engage, and challenge leaders to translate their words into policies, budgets, and actions.
“Let’s note vote for who has the loudest jingle or the flashiest slogan. Let’s vote for those who show substance, science, sincerity, and sustained commitment to environmental justice,” he said.
Idis’ recommendations
Following the Green Vote survey, Idis recommended that candidates prioritize the finalization of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed Ordinance, institutionalize the Bantay Bukid Program, re-establish and support Barangay Watershed Management Councils, reject the WTE Project, strengthen Barangay Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and zero-waste programs, and strictly enforce the SUP ban and Claygo (Clean As You Go) ordinance.
Other recommendations include implementing the Organic Agriculture Ordinance, finalizing the IRR for the Sibulan Organic Agricultural Zone, passing the Pesticide Drift Regulation Ordinance, supporting HPBS and non-motorized transport, ensuring strict implementation of existing zoning policies, promoting participatory environmental reviews for infrastructure projects, enacting a comprehensive environmental code, passing a local Green Building Code with incentives, and strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation in governance. RGP
Here’s the complete list of the survey:
MAYOR