MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday expressed bemusement at the fact that the land title of the site where the iconic limestone rock formation of Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal now belongs to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
In a Senate public hearing, Binay also pointed out that the bureau could now conduct quarrying operations there.
“Since hawak na nila yung titulo, so technically pwede na nilang i-quarry ‘yan or whatever,” Binay said, punctuating the remark with mirth.
(Since they have the title, technically, they could conduct quarrying operations there or whatever.)
“Yung mga ganitong asset, dapat should stay with the Republic of the Philippines, hindi dapat nililipat with any government agency,” the chairperson of the Senate committee on tourism added.
(These assets should stay with the Republic of the Philippines; they should not be transferred to any government agency.)
BuCor bared its plans to build new headquarters within the Masungi Georeserve, stressing that the bureau is the registered owner of 270 hectares, essentially most of the 300-hectare landscape within the Sierra Madre mountain range.
READ: BuCor HQ at Masungi Georeserve: What’s really at stake?
Binay then asked Norlito Eneran, director of the legal affairs service of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, if the asset could be returned under the Republic of the Philippines.
Eneran said it only needs a presidential proclamation.
“Moving forward, pwede bang i-carve out itong covered ng limestone so ‘yung titulo pwedeng ibalik or it needs a presidential proclamation, or a legislation?” Binay asked.
(Moving forward, can we carve out the covered areas where the limestones are located so the title could be returned? Does it need a presidential proclamation or legislation?)
Eneran responded: “Considering there is a title in favor of the government, so sa tingin ko hindi na kailangan ng legislation, it is through the act of the President pwede niyang i-set aside for a specific purpose.”
(Considering there is a title in favor of the government, I think no legislation is needed, it is through the act of the President who could set it aside for a specific purpose.)
Adorable Sunga, the Municipal Planning and Development Officer of Tanay, Rizal, said the rock formation is a high-quality limestone that is good for cement production.
Sunga also pointed out that a certain company applied for mining in the area, but the local government declined.
“Actually ma’am, ‘yung batuhan na ‘yan may nag-apply po ng mining diyan eh, dinecline po ng local government ng Tanay. Alam po namin ang economic benefits nito will be immense, but we decline that po,” Sunga said.
(Actually, someone applied for a mining permit for that rock site, but the local government of Tanay declined it. We know the economic benefits will be immense, but we declined that.)
It can be recalled that an alleged excavation inside the New Bilibid Prison reservation was found by BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr., who discovered it shortly after taking over the post from former director general Gerald Bantag.
Catapang said DENR declared the project as “illegal quarrying.”
READ: Bantag’s ‘pool’ project in Bilibid surprises DOJ