Illegal structures trespass Kantipla

At least  five land claimants have built illegal structures in a protected area of sitio Kantipla in the mountain barangay of Tabunan, Cebu City.

This was confirmed by Ariel Pica, protected area supervisor of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas.

He said this was shown in a  review of the demarcation point in the area  conducted by the PASU late last year.

At least 30 hectares were used for infrastructure development, which is not allowed in the  404.457 hectares  of a  strict protection zone managed by  a foundation.

The 405-hectare forest  site is under the stewardship of the  Kantipla Ecosystem Enhancement and Protection (KEEP) Foundation led by retired police general Tiburcio “Tiboy” Fusilero, who has repeatedly complained about the entry of illegal claimants and destruction of reforestation sites.

Last year, DENR-7  Regional Executive Director  Maximo Dischoso issued a cease and desist order against construction activities in sitio Kantipla.

Fusilero and other Keep Foundation members had a meeting with DENR 7 officials yesterday.

Pica explained that CCPL is categorized into protected zone that is strictly for timberland and other forest cover development and multi-use zones where structures and residential areas are allowed.

Pica said the DENR’s  initial demarcation revealed at least 10 hectares of forest cover was cleared to make way for  structures.

Fusilero had repeatedly complained to the DENR  that some developers are cutting down trees, land speculating or illegally selling parcels of forest land in Kantipla while  some settlers are “selling” their areas on the basis of questionable tax declarations.

Named in his complaint were  Betty Rivero Abella , Grace Chiong, Edmund Misal, Raul Morillo and Carmelita Forster.

Pica said that there’s a possibility that the structures will be ordered demolished but this is still subject to discussion with Keep Foundation and DENR.

Pica said  if those who built the  structures want to maintain them, they have  to  apply for a Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) and comply with conditions of proper use and preservation of the area.

Tabunan is part of the 29,000-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape established by Republic Act 9486.

The CCPL includes five watersheds of  Buhisan Dam, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Kotkot-Lusuran Watershed Forest Reserve and the Sudlon National Park extending to Balamban town and Talisay and Cebu cities.  /Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter