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Socorro

Willard Cheng

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said it canceled its land deal with <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) that allowed its members to occupy a protected area <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte, citing </span></span>a number of violations.</p><p>These violations include building illegal structures not included in the community resource management plan such as a wave pool and gym, DENR <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said.  </span></p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/14/23/nbi-obtains-evidence-of-abuses-by-socorro-bayanihan-group">READ: NBI obtains evidence of &#x27;abuses&#x27; by Socorro Bayanihan group</a></div><p>The order also directed SBSI members, whether tenured migrants or not, their families, representatives, and agents, to vacate the protected area, “self-demolish their houses and to harvest their crops within a reasonable period of time upon consultation with the concerned agencies for their proper and safe relocations and re-integration.”</p><p>The DENR will meet with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the provincial government to finalize the relocation and reintegration plans of affected tenured migrants and other occupants, numbering to around 1,425 households.</p><p>Loyzaga said in a press conference the cancellation order was served peacefully on Monday morning.</p><p>“The whole idea po sa approach namin (our approach) is to be as humane and as peaceful in terms of this process. Kaya po nagtagal nang kaunti (it took some time) because we wanted to be sure that there are options available especially for the peaceful resettlement and relocation,” Loygaza said.</p><p>Under the order, the protected area superintendent is also expected to “perform such acts that are necessary for the rehabilitation of the area with the assistance of other government agencies and private institutions in accordance with their corporate social responsibility mandate.”</p><p>Loyzaga noted that the “case of Socorro is not a simple case” and that the process is also “not simple in terms of dealing with violations.”</p><p>She said protected areas serve as “vital sanctuaries” that support the diversity of biological life with an ecosystem that serve as habitats for endangered species, provide essential ecosystem services for food, water, and embody “the specific culture, spirit and identities of our nation.”</p><p>She noted the allegations of criminal activities, psycho-social and physical abuse and indoctrination revealed in the Senate investigation “which run counter to the social and ecological environment of the PACBRMA” as she thanked Senators Risa Hontiveros and Ronald dela Rosa for bringing forth the extent of the situation in Socorro.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/14/23/nbi-obtains-evidence-of-abuses-by-socorro-bayanihan-group">NBI obtains evidence of &#x27;abuses&#x27; by Socorro Bayanihan group</a></div><p>Loyzaga acknowledged shortcomings of the agency in enforcing its mandate and vowed to institute organizational reforms.</p><p>“I acknowledge here that the DENR has historically had its own challenges in the enforcement of (its) mandate. We recognize these shortcomings and the importance of addressing these promptly,” Loyzaga said.</p><p>“I believe that in uncovering the truth that lies in the history of these challenges, there lies the solution to our work. Some of these go back for decades. We want to hold those responsible accountable and Institute internal organizational changes which are already underway.”</p><div><strong>REVIEW OF PROTECTED AREAS</strong></div><p> She said all 131 PACBRMAs covering 36 protected areas were “all under review&quot; and that the next phase of cancellation is expected “to come very soon” involving “about 10 or 11 PACBRMAs” in Northern Luzon.</p><p>Loyzaga has instructed all regional offices to conduct an inventory of existing structures within protected areas and evaluate the compliance with environmental regulations and standards.</p><p>Regional offices are also enjoined to conduct a comprehensive review of all environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) issued for projects within PAs.</p><p>The DENR added that it was suspending approval by regional offices of all ECC applications for projects within PAs until further notice.</p><p>All pending and future ECC applications within the PAs will be processed at the DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) central office, which must first secure the endorsement of the Biodiversity Bureau “and not be a postcondition” for the granting of the ECC.</p><p>Loyzaga added the DENR, DILG, and Department of Tourism have issued a joint statement of collaboration on the improvements in approval process.</p><div><strong>MANILA BAY, CHOCOLATE HILLS, &amp; MARIKINA</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, a cumulative impact assessment by the UP Marine Science Institute on the Manila Bay reclamation project is ongoing and a progress report is expected to be submitted in about 30 days, Loyzaga said.</p><p>“We would like that assessment to be completed before we are actually able to share our report to media and the affected parties and the PRA as well. Ongoing po yan. There have been seaborne missions already, physical mapping,” Loyzaga said.</p><p>On the matter of the resort built in Chocolate Hills, Loyzaga said drone teams have been deployed Monday to do an aerial validation.</p><p>“We actually have deployed today drone teams, they should be there by now in order for them to do the ground validation and aerial validation based on the satellite imagery that we are able to collect and process,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/13/viral-chocolate-hills-resort-ordered-closed-due-to-violation-denr-1512">Viral Chocolate Hills resort ordered closed due to violation: DENR</a><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/15/denr-answers-sagbayan-lgu-claim-1609"></a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/15/denr-answers-sagbayan-lgu-claim-1609">&#x27;Does it have an ECC or not?&#x27; DENR asks Sagbayan LGU on Chocolate Hills resort</a></div><p>Loyzaga also gave an update on the DENR’s actions on resorts constructed in upper Marikina.</p><p>“We have done an assessment, there was already a report ready for the Senate; hindi lang naabutan, nakulangan lang ng oras (we just ran out of time). I think that will be presented when the session resumes,” she said.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vAuWV57ZdSo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The DENR order also directed SBSI members to vacate the protected area, demolish their houses, and harvest their crops.</p>

The DENR order also directed SBSI members to vacate the protected area, demolish their houses, and harvest their crops.

DENR cancels land agreement with Socorro group, orders residents to leave protected area

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DENR cancels land agreement with Socorro group, orders residents to leave protected area

Willard Cheng,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 08, 2024 03:08 PM PHT

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Socorro group

protected area

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

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ECC

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