Threatened communities — calling DENR

It is very saddening and heartbreaking to hear stories about many communities around the country whose natural environments are exploited under the very noses of the local government. Worst, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) seem to conspire with corrupt practices.

In 2012, Ted Failon exposed how the West Cove Resort in Boracay was operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate, building permit, and mayor’s permit. The resort also violated environmental laws with its cottages situated right on top of the natural rock formations. The DENR also reported 12 illegally operating resorts in Boracay at that time.

It has been six years and Boracay is in the news again with the same problem. Why didn’t the local government and the DENR keep watch? It was not until the time of President Duterte and his DENR Secretary, Roy Cimatu that strong warnings were made. The President warned the establishments there that he would stop their operations to protect the health of millions of visitors. He called the crowded island a “cesspool.” True to his word, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the closure of fifty-one establishments found to have violated the Clean Water Act, the Ecological Waste Management Act and regulations on land use. A hundred establishments were given warning over pollution and coliform bacteria. The local government was given a six-month deadline to clean up the island.

Reports say that as of February 21, DENR already served 153 show cause orders out of 842 to illegal occupants of forestlands. Cimatu said the occupants encroached in timberland areas, violating Section 69 of Presidential Degree 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. Similar actions have been taken by the DENR chief in other municipalities.

We have many beautiful beaches around the country that many tourists visit. The most popular right now is Coron and Siargao. But the Tourism Information Centers in these places are pathetic, the public toilets are not functioning and very smelly and dirty. The local folk take advantage of the tourists by jacking up prices – all to the blind eye of the local government. And yes, sanitation and hygiene is very poor in most establishments. Last year, I had a group visit Coron. Fifteen of my friends got sick in the stomach. They were all given dextrose and antibiotics for E. coli bacteria. I’ve heard many horror stories about visitors going to Coron who get sick because of E.coli.

In the middle of all these, I cannot help but wonder why the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) the DENR’s counterpart directly working with the local government in the area allow such illegal work? A few years ago, I was trying to make an appointment with Mayor Alejandrino of Arayat province in Pampanga regarding a community in his area complaining of quarrying but to no avail. Remember the town where the mega shabu lab was found? Well, when the President went there to investigate on the lab, he saw some quarrying activities and ordered them to stop. So, it was only after the President came that the mayor took some action. Sanamagan!

A few weeks ago, I received a letter about Manicani’s threat of large-scale mining. Manicani is a small island off mainland Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It hit the headlines both local and national when protests erupted anew against the endorsement by the local governments of the renewal of large-scale mining (of nickel ore) on the island. This quarter of a century operation has caused deep divisions in the community and man-made environmental destruction. The sad part is that as the permit was about to expire, the local government and the legislative bodies of the Municipality of Guiuan and the Province of Eastern Samar issued separate resolutions supporting the mining company’s application to renew its MPSA covering Manicani. This happened despite President Fidel V. Ramos’ Presidential Proclamation 469 establishing the Guiuan Protected Landscape and Seascape. In fact, in 2003, the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar even enacted a provincial ordinance banning large-scale mining but the DENR Secretary then, Ramon Paje, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued Ore Transport and Mineral Ore Transport Permits allowing the movement, transport and shipment of the nickel ore from the stockpiles. The MGB justified the issuance of the permits on environmental grounds arguing that the stockpiles posed danger to the community due to erosion and leaching. Susmariosep!

In July 2017, news of HMC’s plan to renew its MPSA spread causing alarm to the residents who remained opposed to mining in Manicani. While the community continue to protest, local and national officials found more ways to keep the operations going. The owners of this company must be the mighty ones and the untouchables. Abangan!

Now, talk about conspiracy between the local government, CENRO and private companies. In the province of Zambales particularly in Barangay San Miguel, San Antonio my friend owns a 26,365 square meter property right on Pamatawaran River. A few weeks ago, her relatives in the area reported to her that there are activities going on in the area that may affect her property. She right away went there and inspected the land. To her surprise, there seemed to be some quarrying happening that would majorly threaten her area and the whole community. The question is why didn’t the local government inform her of any project before they began the digging. Where is the respect uttered to the community by Barangay Captain Rosven Olegario and Mayor Estela Antipolo? Isn’t it the job of the Mayor to protect the natural environment and her constituents?

Apparently, upon investigation there is a sand and gravel trading company (foreign based) that is also asking for proper endorsement of the mayor and barangay resolution to the different government agencies such as the DENR-CENRO (Olongapo City) for ECC. Foreshore Lease Application of the jetty port and RRW (road-right-of-way) along Pamatawaran River; DPWH 1st Engineering District Office for clearance to build a Jetty Port or Causeway near the Pamatawaran River; Coast Guard Subic Station for clearance to build a Jetty Port or Causeway near the Pamatawaran River; and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for registration of the Private Non-Commercial Port near the Pamatawaran River. What is this project? Are they going to supply sand to the Spratly’s?

The voice of the mayor is that this company will help the municipality in reducing the risk of flooding and erosions near the river. The barangay captain told them to stop opposing it and to cooperate because it will benefit the community. Really? There was a letter written by the company which had an attached copy of the MOA between the company and the province of Zambales represented by Gov. Atty. Amor D. Deloso. Wow! Even the Governor is involved.

To protect her property from being dredged, my friend requested her property to be marked by the surveyors so she can put markers. To her surprise, she got a call from the Mayor’s office and the mayor seemed mad at them? Now, my question is what is the stake of the barangay captain, the mayor and the governor in this “holy” project? I think the DENR chief should send a team to inspect this mega project.

Local officials specially in provinces are all related to one another. This is a major concern in corruption. In Zambales, the surveyor, the mayor and CENRO official seem to be related too. How will citizens get justice? In the case of Arayat, Boracay, Manicani and Zambales – shouldn’t the local officials be accountable? Who will punish them? These are few examples of community leaders who tolerate and turn a blind eye to illegal activities. We have many communities in this archipelago. Who will save the country?