Government sues illegal settlers in Benguet forest reserve

TUBA, Benguet – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has sued illegal settlers who built homes on the Mt. Sto. Tomas forest reserve and watershed here.

At least thirteen cases of violations of the forestry code have been filed against the illegal settlers, who even expanded their houses, according to DENR-Cordillera executive director Ralph Pablo. 

Earlier, residents in the area agreed to stop expanding their houses in compliance with a law declaring Mt. Sto. Tomas a forest reserve.

But the illegal settlers, whose houses were demolished six months ago, returned and built sturdier and wider structures, Pablo said.

Shanties started to mushroom in the area when it was made the setting of a telenovela last year.

Pablo said most of the demolished structures were made of light materials and tents, but the illegal settlers returned and built houses with galvanized iron.

Aside from the illegal settlers, small-scale miners have reportedly invaded the mountain, prompting the DENR to urge the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (mgb)to put a stop on these operations.

Reports said at least 10 tunnels in the area are being used by a mine operator, despite the issuance of a stoppage order by the MGB.

The DENR said Mt. Sto. Tomas is located within a critical watershed, which supplies potable water to Baguio City, as well as downstream communities in Tuba and Rosario in La Union.

Mt. Sto. Tomas is also the subject of an ongoing case filed by a Catholic bishop seeking for a writ of kalikasan to protect the watershed.