PROVINCIAL Board Member Dr. Romulo G. Cepedoza stood pat in what could be defending the barangay captains who are members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) on the Captain’s Peak fiasco, according to the records of the committee of the Whole chaired by Vice-Gov. Victor Balite.
The dragging of the barangay captains arose during the Senate Inquiry on the construction of ‘Captain’s Peak Resort’ in Barangay Canmano, Sagbayan, “where the said resort constructed cottages and a pool slide at the side of two identified hills; that said construction is considered a defacement of the Chocolate Hills which is part of UNESCO Global Geopark.”
Being the Liga ng mga Barangay, Bohol Chapter president, Cepedoza made clear his concern over his fellow barangay chieftains so he requested “for a closer examination of the circumstances surrounding the construction of the resort which dragged some barangay captains is the fact that it has become increasingly clear that some barangay captains have been unfairly targeted and made scapegoats in this matter.”
The senate inquiry by environment committee chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar that there was mention that only the Barangay Captains were made to approve the Resolution for the construction of the Captain’s Peak thereby releasing the DENR from any responsibility; Villar added, that it appears that the barangay captains were merely used in the approval of the PAMB certification.
The absence of DENR in every PAMB meeting dragged the names of the barangay captains. “It was also mentioned during the inquiry that in the attendance sheet during the PAMB meeting, not even one representative from the DENR was present; Ms. Lorna Fernandez, APASU, DENR, confirmed that during the first meeting (2012), the Regional Executive Director (RED), PENRO, and CENRO of the DENR were not around and so as with the second meeting (February 7, 2018), it was only during the third meeting (July 13, 2022) that former PENRO Canda presided over.”
Former PENRO Nestor Canda explained the PAMB is vested with various powers and functions to include; (1.) Oversee the management of the Protected Area, (2.) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements and other related documents for the management of the Protected Area, (3.) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) and other Protected Area Personnel, (4.) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the Protected Area pursuant to DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-05 also known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the NIPAS Act, as amended by R.A. 11038 or the ENIPAS Act of 2018.
Canda pointed out that the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), headed by a PASU, is the office mandated to supervise the day-to-day management, protection and administration of the Protected Area; The PASU shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the management and operations of the Protected Area, including, enforcing the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the protected area; commence and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government agencies or organizations; assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of this Act; monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the protected area.
But Board Member Atty. Jamie Villamor said “there is really a remiss on the duty of the PAMB that resulted to the issuance of the 2012 Resolution No. 5 which led to the approval of the Captain’s Peak PAMB Clearance despite violations on existing laws and guidelines.”
The said 2012 Resolution became the basis of the 2018 endorsement of the Captain’s Peak Development Plan and the 2022 approval of that Development Plan which was also based on the eco-tourism development plan of the Chocolate Hills which allows for a 20% development from the base to the peak of the hill, which DENR justified that it is within the Multiple Use Zone.
BM Villamor said that after careful study, Multiple Use Zones are the protected areas that in cases where development is proposed, the same shall be in accordance with the management plan, also in accordance with other laws. In effect, the 2012 Resolution allowing 20% development from the base to the peak of the hill, which is allowed by PAMB and concurred by the DENR Regional Director is not in accordance with the law, considering we have the 2003 Presidential Decree of then President Gloria M. Arroyo, requiring a 20-meter buffer zone from the base of the hill outward.
The committee approved a Resolution urging PAMB to update the SP for the revision of the guidelines particularly with respect to the 20% development from the base to the peak of the hill.
Aside from Vice Governor Dionisio Victor A. Balite, BMs Tita V. Baja, Hon. Venzencio B. Arcamo, Lucille Y. Lagunay, Aldner R. Damalerio, Vierna Mae F. Boniel, Tomas D. Abapo, Jr., Jiselle Rae A. Villamor, Elpidio L. Bonita, Romulo G. Cepedoza, and Lawrence Xavier C. Ancla. BM Greg Crispinito L. Jala was represented by Mr. Peter Mark L. Jala and BM Nicanor S. Besas by Mr. Noel Gonzales.
Also present were: Atty. Alona A. Cristal, representing Atty. Handel T. Lagunay of the Provincial Legal Office; BPEMO head Jovencia B. Ganub; Charlie E. Fabre, representing Engr. Paquito D. Melicor, Jr., Regional Executive Director, DENR Region VII/ Chairman Protected Area Management Board (PAMB); Ms. Marcial B. Ugay, Natural Resources Officer, DENR; Mr. Felito B. Pon, Secretary to Mayor Restituto Q. Suarez III of Sagbayan, Bohol. Mr. Epitacio M. Canino, Jr., Municipal Administrator; Ms. Lorna Fernandez, Forester/APASU, CENRO Tagbilaran; Hon. Nestor Canda, Barangay Captain, Poblacion Sur, Batuan/former PENRO; Hon. Tito O. Ancog, former Barangay Captain/incumbent Barangay Kagawad of Bugang Norte, Bilar; Hon. Gilberta Ancog, current Barangay Captain of Bugang Norte, Bilar; Hon. Candido D. Salces, Barangay Captain of Quezon, Batuan/former PENRO staff; Glicerita C. Racho, Officer-in-Charge, PENRO-Tagbilaran; Mr. Rey Gaviola of DILG-Bohol; and, the Committee Secretariat. (rvo)
