Iloilo Islanders accuse private company of harassment

CEBU, Philippines -  Residents of the controversial Sicogon Island in Carles town in Iloilo complained anew against the continued harassment of Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO) of the Sarrosa family.

Last Thursday, the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers Fisherfolks Association (FESIFFA) sought audience with the DENR-Region 6 against the alleged violation of SIDECO pertaining to the status quo ante order issued by the agency late last year. About 80 Sicogon Island residents attended the dialogue.

In a press statement, DENR-6 said FESSIFA president Raul Ramos sent a letter claiming that SIDECO has started physical development on the contested lot area adding that SIDECO's executive vice president Edmundo Sarrosa allegedly kept on harassing the residents to leave the area.

FESSIFA, representing the residents of Sicogon Island, earlier filed an administrative complaint questioning the veracity of the free patents titles issued by the DENR-6 to 16 applicants who they claimed as "non-residents" of the island. The case is now under investigation at the DENR-6 Legal Office.

Consequently, then DENR-6 regional executive director Adeluisa Siapno issued a status quo ante order directing the local residents and patent holders to refrain from initiating further development in the contested lots in Sicogon Island while the case is under litigation. But according to the residents SIDECO did not heed the order.

During the meeting, DENR-6 office-in-charge Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Service Livino Duran said DENR-6 head Jim Sampulna ordered to validate the allegations.

A composite team was then created to conduct ground validation before the month ends, he added. Duran said the team shall conduct the validation on March 20.

The composite team consisted of representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Legal Division, Environmental Management Bureau, Forest Management Service, Land Management Service, PENRO Iloilo and CENRO Sara.

Duran said DENR-6 shall invite the municipal environment and natural resources officer of Carles, Iloilo or its representative to join the team in the conduct of ground validation next week.

Aside from this, the group shall also inspect established markers on forestland boundaries, conduct an inventory of fallen trees at the height of typhoon Yolanda on public and private properties, and verify the alleged soil testing conducted by the SIDECO, among others.

Sicogon Island, located in Carles town, is an hour-and-a-half pumpboat ride from Barangay Bangkal in the mainland. It has an area of 1,160.09 hectares, with three barangays, Alipata, Buaya and San Fernando.  (FREEMAN)