Group formed to protect Osmeña Peak

CEBU, Philippines -The Capitol has created a Technical Working Group (TWG) to trace and define the respective duties and functions of concerned government agencies and individuals in the protection of Osmeña Peak, situated between the towns of Dalaguete and Badian in southern Cebu.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia intervened after Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante and Badian Mayor Robburt Librando complained of some unscrupulous and destructive activities in the area which, if not controlled or stopped, would surely cause the irreversible degradation and destruction of Osmeña Peak.

“It allows us to be there in providing a holistic development program,” Cesante said in reaction to Garcia’s move to create the TWG.

Cesante earlier informed Garcia of the joint initiative of the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian in the development of Osmeña Peak.

Osmeña Peak, at 1,075 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain of Cebu which provides a breathtaking view of the cities of Cebu and Naga on the northeast, the Zaragosa island and Badian town in the west and the valley of Mantalongon in the east.

Cesante reported that various entities, with memorandum of agreement and tenurial instruments issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, had been blocking and “securing” the area.

“We’ve been deluged with complaints that agents of these groups had been asking for entrance fees for those who scale up the summit or camp in other ranges. And yet no visible improvement in the area had been made all these years,” Cesante said.

Cesante said that the issuance of such instruments by DENR has no consultation with either of the two local government units.

To prevent possible conflict in the area by the contesting entities, farmers, and campers, the two mayors proposed to secure the area by providing joint patrols and to come up with a joint development undertaking.

“Our vision is the declaration by the DENR of the area as a natural park and protected landscape,” Cesante said.

Librando also expressed his willingness to cooperate and to get the details about the “overlapping” claims over the Osmeña Peak.

The reported activities prompted Garcia to ask DENR Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso to look into and act on the said complaints and review the tenurial instruments it issued to private persons/entities covering Osmeña Peak.

In a meeting, Garcia requested Dichoso that the surrounding mountain ranges of Osmeña Peak be proposed and recommended to the DENR secretary as additional Protected Area or Protected Landscape while some concerns shall be taken care of by the TWG.. — (FREEMAN)