CCENRO to monitor dev’t in Cebu’s protected areas

The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) will be inspecting all ongoing developments in the mountain barangays, specifically on those lands identified as protected areas.

This, after the Central Cebu Protected Landscape-Protected Area Management Board (CCPL-PAMB) of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources-7 (DENR) received reports that there are numerous developments in the city’s protected areas without the necessary permits.

The CCPL-PAMB has directed the CCENRO to conduct an inspection and to ensure that these developments within the protected areas have complied with the necessary requirements before any construction was done.

Records show that there are 23 protected areas in the city that includes Barangays Adlaon, Agsungot, Babag, Bonbon, Buhisan, Buot, Cambinocot, Guba, Lusaran, Mabini, Malubog, Pamutan, and Paril.

Other barangays are Pung-ol Sibugay, Sapangdaku, Sinsin, Sirao, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Tabunan, Tagba-o, Taptap and Toong.

CCENRO Head Nida Cabrera told reporters that they will check if the ongoing developments in the mountain barangays are constructed within the protected areas.

Those projects within the protected areas will be required to ask clearance and secure necessary permits from the city government and from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as provided under the Central Cebu Landscape Act of 2007.

This Act provides “for the protection, conservation, maintenance, rehabilitation and sustainable development of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL), especially for its crucial role and significance.”

“Expected nato tourism na gyud, ngadto na gyud paingon. Naay mga gi-develop mga resorts, naa tay duha sa Bonbon karon pero walay permits,” Cabrera said.

She said that if a certain development is already done, CCENRO will order for the stoppage of operation of the business.

“Ang problema nato sa siyudad, naa didto ang source of water. Gani, naay mga reports nga highly contaminated na ang atong tubig, so kinahanglan tagaan og proper protections gyud,” Cabrera added.

However, as of press time, she has no idea yet on the numbers of ongoing developments in the protected areas.

Cabrera said the city government is closely working with the CCPL-PAMB so that they can properly address the issue.

City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, has issued a memorandum informing all department heads to coordinate with CCENRO on the development projects within the protected areas in the city.

“All departments and offices with proposed projects situated in protected areas of Cebu City are hereby directed to coordinate with CCENRO for proper permitting,” read a portion of the memorandum dated July 5. —

O. Leyson/GAN

Odessa