By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
UNKNOWN to many, there’s an “iffy garden” at the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) within the area of Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
It’s a three-hectare controversial garden located at the upper Sitio Campuestohan, Barangay Cabatangan.
Reports said this controversial garden was meant for flower, strawberry and vegetable planting. It’s being initiated by the Silver Dragon Corporation (SDC).
And a little rewind, the controversy had started as early as 2021. It even prompted Talisay City’s Mayor Neil Lizares to order the suspension of the road clearing work leading to the proposed garden sometime in May 2021.
Lizares, in a letter sent to SDC on May 24, 2021 said, “While the Talisay City government was not a party to your special use agreement in protected area application, this matter concerns us since the area is under our jurisdiction.”
Too, stressed by Lizares, “Talisay has always been passionate in its pursuit to conserve, manage and protect its environmental and natural resources for the benefit of its constituents and the future generations.”
Thus, the local chief executive, in the same letter, asked SDC to halt temporarily his activities in the area ‘till a win-win agreement is reached.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Negros environmentalists sounded alarmed again with the reported resumption of ground works in the upper Sitio Campuestohan.
Members of the Green Alert Negros (GAN) said SDC claimed they’ve already secured a Special (use) Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6.
Asked by GAN and Group of Environmental Socialists (GOES), Incorporated: How could it be?
I phoned DENR Region 6 Director Livino Duran and asked about the controversial SAPA.
But Duran clarified he hasn’t issued yet any SAPA in Negros Occidental.
Furthermore, Duran said it’s not easy for DENR to issue SAPA to any project within a protected area.
There are lots of things to be considered, he added.
RESPONSE
SDC, in a previous response to Mayor Lizares, said it just wanted to put up a flower and vegetable farm in the area. It, too, is willing to support the livelihood project for residents in the sitio.
Besides, SDC claimed, the proposed garden had already been approved by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)-Negros.
Too, SDC said they were just clearing an existing road, and no trees have been destroyed.
But Duran said PAMB is yet to submit to his office a comprehensive development plan (CDP) of SDC’s proposed garden at NNNP.
In an interview, GOES’ Marc Antonio said around 200 families living in the proposed garden will be displaced.
The three-year-old iffy project at NNNP is, therefore, considered a bane for Sitio Campuestohan natives, stressed by John Mark Grafe of GAN.
Anyone from PAMB in Negros could not be reached for comment yet. But Antonio and Grafe were calling on Gov. Bong Lacson to mediate on the matter.
NNNP is Negros’ last frontier, and home to endangered species of flora and fauna.
NO TO ‘SQUATTERS’ AT NNNP
Duran, meanwhile, said DENR remains “loud” in its continuous campaign to free NNNP from illegal structures and occupants.
That’s why, he said, they’re keen on issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV) to “squatters” within NNNP.
As to SDC’s proposed garden, Duran said, “We will look into it.” They are still waiting for PAMB’s final report and recommendation.
However, Antonio and Grafel chorused: “PAMB should cancel now any permit given to SDC.”
They both vowed not to rest unless SDC withdraws from the area.
Too, they underscored that they’re not against any development as long as it cannot harm the environment or NNNP per se.
Well, we can’t say que sera sera (whatever will be, will be) on this pressing issue.
DENR-6 has no choice but to decide on the matter sans fear and favor.
Any environmental issue is tricky. People are now keen about environmental degradation and protection. Everyone now always thinks in “survival mode”. Amid industrialization leading to progress and development, people are conscious about the state of their environment.
DENR plays a major role in this “unique battle”. DENR people must always remember what world renowned American photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams stressed: “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.”
Once DENR commits even a simple mistake, it could be “tragic” to many Negrenses./PN
