DENR issues several orders against illegal occupants at Upper Marikina River Basin
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is stepping up the campaign to address the illegal squatting problem within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) with the issuance of show-cause orders and ceaseand-desist orders (CDO) against illegal occupants in the area.
The DENR Calabarzon said a total of 80 show cause orders and 43 ceaseand-desist orders have been issued to owners of buildings within the UMRBPL. They are deemed illegal occupants upon initial investigation by the DENR.
In Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City, those issued with CDOS are owners of a piggery, a resort, camp and retreat center and a retreat house. Most of those issued with CDOS are also owners of occupants of houses built along rivers.
DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria reminded the public that construction within the protected area without the necessary permit is a violation of Section 20 of Republic Act 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act and its amendatory law, Republic Act 11038 or Expanded NIPAS Act; and Section 21 of both laws.
Penalty for violation of the said law includes a fine reaching up to P5 million and a jail term from six years to a dozen years.
The issuance of show cause and cease-and-desist orders has been properly coordinated with the Task Force “Build Back Better” (TF BBB) that’s mandated by Executive Order 120, according to Tamoria.
In a statement, Tamoria appealed for stronger collaboration between various government agencies, nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations and environmental groups to tighten watch in stricter implementation of environmental laws within protected areas.
Park rangers
MEANWHILE, the DENR Calabarzon condemned the attack against two park rangers of Masungi Georeserve who both suffered gunshot wounds during an incident last July 24.
The park rangers were shot while patrolling the UMRBPL.
Tamoria said the DENR recognizes the private sector, NGOS and the agency’s other partners in protecting and conserving the environment.
The DENR Calabarzon chief said they are coordinating with the Philippine National Police and the 80th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army to identify the perpetrators of the attack and to sustain the ongoing monitoring and patrolling activities within the UMRBPL.
According to the Global Witness Report, in 2019, the Philippines is the second-most dangerous place for environmental defenders.
The DENR is currently pushing for the passage of a measure that will create or establish the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB).
Through the EPEB, the DENR believes it will have more teeth in enforcing environmental law which is part of the agency’s mandate without necessarily compromising the safety and security of forest protectors and other environmental officers.
The EPEB Bill was filed with four principal sponsors and 13 co-sponsors at the House of Representatives. Its counterpart meaure was filed in the Senate by two sponsors.