By Ric Obedencio | 10:40 PM April 07, 2024
Senator Imee Romualdez Marcos expressed concern over the fate of the Chocolate Hills that are being defaced and the landholders who own lots within the protected areas where the hills are located.
Marcos, who graced the kick off program of the 2nd Governor’s Cup 2024 in Calape town this morning, told press briefing that while there’s a need for environmental protection eco-tourism must be upheld and lot owners respected.
“Let’s uphold sustainable tourism, let’s uphold eco-tourism and carrying capacity and we cannot prohibit also economic activity that has been there for generations.”
In the midst of all these, “we should not overlook the needs and rights of the people residing and living within the protected areas and whose livelihood and means of income are dependent upon the land.” “Thus, there is a need to balance between environmental protection and the right of the people to improve their condition,” Gov. Aris Aumentado stressed.
Why make people suffer when they’re already used to such activities, like farming, in their private lands before the DENR, or the NIPAS Act was passed, Batuan Mayor Antonino Jumawid once said.
Marcos said that while she was the governor of Ilocos Norte they wanted to develop the 50-hectare Paoay lake and sand dunes but the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) prohibit them.
It seemed that the National Integrated Protected Areas system law totally banned development in protected areas. But the rights of those who have titled lots must be recognized. And it seemed there’s no better understanding of the said law, the senator lamented.
As to the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) those barangay captains who are members but not experts, she said, were left on their own to decide though they also have their responsibility.
Senator Cynthis Villar, environment committee chairperson, commented during the hearing of the Chocolate hills fiasco that it looks like the barangay captains in PAMB are being used in the decision-making.
“While the Philippine government has established a robust framework of policies, laws and regulations for the protection of our protected areas, there appears to be a deficiency in their implementation,” Villar said. (rvo)
