Negros Or PB to ENRD: Explain continued kaingin

CEBU, Philippines - Explain why kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) activities go on around the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao in Sibulan town, was the order of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board to the Capitol’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Invited to appear before the next regular session was ENRD’s Mercy Teves to shed light on the reported kaingin activities, which has been going on despite the presence in the area of Bantay Lasang and other organized groups of farmers.

PB Member Arnulfo Teves showed pictures of at least two kaingin activities near the lake during the regular session, saying he initially thought it was natural fire. Upon investigation, however, he found the fire to be deliberately set for kaingin purposes.

Lake Balinsasayao is located 1,000 feet above sea level in an area 12 kilometers west of Sibulan in Negros Oriental. This was declared a protected area on November 21, 2000 under Proclamation No. 414 and is now designated a natural park.

PB Member Teves said every Negrense should be concerned about unabated kaingin in this natural park, which is one of the tourism attractions in the province, besides being home to a vast ecosystem and many species of flora and fauna.

Records also showed that Balinsasayao have been violated with illegal logging and charcoal making that may have affected the water level of the lake.

Efforts to reach ENRD chief Mercy Teves proved futile as the latter seemingly did not want to answer questions from the media regarding the situation at Lake Balinsasayao. (FREEMAN)