DENR looks into Fusillero's concerns

CEBU - An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday denied the allegations of retired police general Tiburcio Fusillero that the agency has failed to look into concerns raised over the 504-hectare of watershed area in Cebu City.

DENR Forest Management Services regional technical director Isabelo Montejo said that their office is not neglecting Fusillero’s call but is trying to follow the process.

Fusillero recently alleged that several offices of DENR, including Montejo’s, were not acting on his various complaints against private entities owning and now developing portions of the protected areas.

Fusillero is a holder of a 25-year memorandum of agreement with the DENR to reforest and protect 504 hectares of land in the mountain barangays of the city that are classified part of the watershed area.

Montejo said that Fusillero has nothing to worry because the MOA between him and the DENR that was signed in 2001 still exists. Under the MOA, any commercial development within the 504-hectare lot is strictly prohibited.

Fusillero and the Cantipla Ecosystems Enhancement and Protection Foundation have been questioning the massive sales and development by private entities of the land within the watershed area.

He mentioned these private entities to be politically and commercially influential that allegedly includes the Salimbangon family.

“Salimbangon’s project will push through only if a Special Use Agreement in Protected Area is granted by the Protected Area Management Board, any other private entity within the coverage of Fusillero have not been granted SUAPA by our office,” Montejo said.

This and other complaints of Fusillero are yet to be discussed during the PAMB meeting probably within this month, Montejo added.

According to him, there is no way that DENR or PAMB can issue two tenurial instruments in one area. He said that if the Salimbangons’ project is within Fusillero’s coverage, they could not proceed with the development.

“The MOA between Fusillero and the DENR is valid for 25 years. Only when the MOA expired, private entities can apply for a special agreement to use the land,” Montejo said.

Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon said Fusillero may just have been misinformed. He said they are a family of environmental lovers and they are very willing to sit down with Fusillero’s group to iron out things.

Watershed areas are catch basins of rainwater.  — Ferliza C. Contratista and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)