DENR takes over Arayat nat’l park

ARAYAT, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has assumed jurisdiction over the 10-hectare San Juan Bano resort which is part of the 3,715-hectare Mt. Arayat National Park here.

With the move, the DENR warned visitors that they face a jail term of six years or a fine of as much as P500,000 if they are caught hunting animals or destroying natural flora and fauna in the national park.

Regidor de Leon, DENR’s Central Luzon executive director, said the resort used to be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Tourism-Philippine Tourism Authority which recently turned over the area to the DENR to ensure its protection from forest denudation and environmental abuse.

De Leon said the Mt. Arayat National Park, a protected area under Proclamation No. 203, is home to 49 species of trees and plants, 86 species of wild birds, 14 species of mammals, and 11 species of reptiles.

Since the national park is a "government protected area," he said anyone found hunting or destroying plants or animals there face imprisonment of up to six years or fine of up to P500,000.

He said the 10-hectare San Juan Bano resort has remained a popular destination for local and foreign tourists, with spring waters from Mt. Arayat filling its large swimming pool.

In other parts of the national park, kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) has reportedly persisted.

Regidor said he has sought the help of the Army contingent based at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija to help secure the entire park and rehabilitate its denuded portions.

Some 500 soldiers from the Army’s 69th Infantry Brigade and 71st Infantry Division, headed by Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing, have joined the DENR in a massive tree-planting in denuded portions of Mt. Arayat. — Ding Cervantes