DENR pushes to declare protected areas

CEBU, Philippines - At least three natural sites in Cebu are being lobbied by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 as protected areas.

DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said the three sites are the Sibonga River Watershed in the municipality of Sibonga, Basak River Watershed Reserve in Badian, and the Liloan Protected Landscape and Seascape. 

Under the DENR Memorandum Order No. 2011-04, the titling and processing of all public land applications (PLAs) are suspended in a protected area.

“Also suspended is the processing of applications for lease, license or permit of any project or activity within the identified area, as well as the acceptance of new applications except for projects that are compatible with the objectives of the NIPAS,” Dichoso declared.

Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), all activities, projects and land uses in protected areas are regulated to preserve the biodiversity of the identified areas, provide life support systems, and maintain the natural beauty of these areas “away from any human intervention.”

In the same order, it was clarified that the suspension of activities of these proposed sites will only take effect on the actual date when the DENR 7 will submit the draft proclamation to the DENR Central Office.

The suspension of the said activities, however, will be lifted if the Office of the President disapproves the proposed proclamation.

NIPAS provides that protected areas include portions of land and water categorized as nature or resource reserves; natural parks, monuments, or biotic areas; wildlife sanctuaries; protected land or seascapes; or as established by law, conventions or international agreements. (FREEMAN)