DENR forms TWG to review town's management plan for protected area

CEBU, Philippines -  A 15-member multi-sectoral technical working group was formed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 to review the 60-page general management plan of the Bantayan Island Wilderness Area in Bantayan Island, Cebu.

"The review of the BIWA GMP is needed to fine-tune very clearly the areas to be considered in a plan taking into consideration the conservation and protection components of a protected area," DENR-7 regional executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo explained.

Conducted at Azia Suites and Residences, Cebu City last September 10 to11, the committee led by Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service regional technical director Dr. Al Orolfo, is composed of RTD for Ecosystems Research and Development Services Emma Melana, RTD for Forest Management Services Eduardo Inting, and RTD for Land Management Service Wilfredo Lee as members.

 Also included in the regional special order number 557 approved by Montejo last Sept. 1 were provincial environment and natural resources officer Cebu Jose Cleo Colis; community environment and natural resources officer Carmen Roldan Cotejo; forest resources and development division chief Mario Aragon; planning and management division chief Conchita Tan; lawyer Unalee Monares of the legal division; Environmental Management Bureau's Risa Saberon; Mines and Geosciences Bureau's Al Emil Berador; protected area and wildlife division chief Ariel Rica; and Cebu Technological University's college of arts and sciences dean Dr. Edwin Pilapil.

The main goal of the management plan, Montejo said, is to enhance both terrestrial and marine biological diversities through the implementation of appropriate biodiversity conservation measures in coordination with local government units and other stakeholders.

BIWA has an approximate land area of 11,244.67 hectares. After its delineation early this year, out of its total land area, around 10,648.27 hectares cover its multiple use zone while the remaining 596.41 hectares cover its strict protection zone consisting of the mangrove ecosystem, water-recharge areas and sea turtle-nesting sites.

BIWA GMP needs to be approved by the DENR Secretary and shall be forwarded next week before it is submitted to the court.

Similarly, the plan was presented before the members of the Cebu Provincial Board last Sept. 10.

It could be recalled that a court order dated August 25, 2009 issued by then judge and now Court of Appeals associate justice Marilyn Lagura-Yap which requires, among others, a GMP for BIWA.

The prevailing law for BIWA is Republic Act No. 7586, better known as the NIPAS Act of 1992.  This law sets aside BIWA, being a wilderness area as proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation No. 2151 in 1981, as an initial component of the National Integrated Protected Areas System of the Philippines.

A wilderness area is a protected area that is created and managed mainly for purposes of research or for the protection of large, unspoiled areas of wilderness.  Its primary purpose is the preservation of biodiversity and as essential reference areas for scientific work and environmental monitoring.

"We would like to see an effective implementation of a PA management program that aims to address a delicate balance in pursuing conservation of resources while increasing the opportunity for economic activities," Montejo added.  (FREEMAN)