The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) created a team that will conduct ground verification and relocation survey of a lot near the Kawasan Falls that was titled in the name of Wilhelmino Saldua.
The team will be made up of personnel from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), representatives from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and from the Cebu provincial government, said DENR-7 Director Maximo Dichoso in an order.
Environment officials and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia agreed to a survey of the lot last Monday.
Garcia said she wanted to know why Saldua had a title of the 2.1-hectare lot near the falls.
The survey will cover, among others, structures and improvements on the lot, nature and status of the lot, its relation to Matutinao River and the falls, claims and conflict in the area.
Garcia also directed to have the title of Saldua checked and verified in the municipality.
“The question is, how come he was able to get a title for a river? They have to solve the mystery. Is it possible to have a river and waterfalls titled?” she asked.
Garcia also wanted the cancellation of all mayor’s permits issued by the Badian municipal government to occupants operating within the vicinity of the falls.
Earlier this month, the Capitol also sought the suspension of Saldua’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
In a letter to Environment Management Board (EMB-7) Regional Director Fernando Quililan, Garcia said the Small Cottage and Picnic Sheds Project that Saldua owned was illegally operating in Matutinao, Badian town, as its ECC clearly stated that the resort is located in another part of the town, which is barangay Balhaan.
Garcia said the resort’s operations near the water falls contributed to “the irreversible damage and degradation of the place.”
After inspecting the area last month, Garcia declared Kawasan Falls closed to tourists to allow the demolition of concrete structures and cottages near the falls./Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus