Squatters ‘invade’ forestland

BISLIG CITY — A Caraga group has reported what it calls a "wide-scale invasion" of squatters in the only remaining forest cover in the region.

In a statement, the Citizen’s Log Watch said 40 families from Nabunturan, Compostela Valley and Calinan, Davao City have occupied Roads 59 and 52b-1 within TLA-43 of Picop Resources Inc.

The group alleged that a certain Nestor Balbaneda and Reynaldo Gay-od have subdivided the area, collecting P2,000 from each family for a five-hectare plot in the forestland.

Balbaneda reportedly belongs to a tribal association in Nabunturan, while Gay-od hails from Rajah Cabunsoan, Lingig, Surigao del Sur.

According to the Citizen’s Log Watch, one of its members had talked to Balbaneda’s wife and quoted her as saying that they were expecting 200 more families, who have paid a P2,000 membership fee, to settle in the area.

When told that the area they are occupying is within Picop’s TLA-43, Mrs. Balbaneda claimed they had the go-signal of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials in Quezon City, the group said.

The Citizen’s Log Watch called for the criminal prosecution of these DENR officials "for abetting the destruction of forestland as prescribed (under) Republic Act 3092."

"With DENR’s consent, the concession and plantation areas of Picop are now pockmarked by kaingin settlements, many of which are developing into virtual barangays," it said.