DENR-7 to finish boundary demarcation by month's end

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources- 7 will complete by October 30 the delineation and demarcation of the 28,312-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape to delimit on the ground the boundaries of a protected area.

With a project cost of P1,164,500.00, DENR-7 regional executive director Isabelo R. Montejo said a total of 112.9 kilometers were surveyed and demarcated or 82.4 percent of the targeted 137 kilometers, with 453 monuments planted as of August 1.

Of the 453 monuments planted, 109 and 344 are major and minor monuments, respectively.

Montejo, in a statement, said that the establishment through presidential proclamation or congressional enactment, the boundaries of a protected area shall be located or relocated and demarcated on the ground with concrete monuments or using other physical landmarks or features. Delineation refers to the actual ground survey of the boundaries of protected areas and its buffer zones using a global positioning system (GPS) or other applicable surveying instruments or technologies to come up with a map of the area.

Montejo said that delineation and demarcation are necessary in order to strengthen the environmental protection initiatives, particularly those protected areas and national parks, against degradation or exploitation as they try to solicit the active support and cooperation of various stakeholders.

Demarcation refers to the establishment of the boundaries of a protected area and its buffer zones using viable markers or monuments, buoys in case of marine areas, and known natural features or landmarks, among others, as a result of actual ground delineation.

Montejo added that they have been closely coordinating with the local government units and the communities for the smooth and successful conduct of this activity as this has been ongoing in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, particularly in Buhisan area, and Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.

The CCPL, under Republic Act No. 9486, which was approved on June 7, 2007 consists of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.  (FREEMAN)