NOVEMBER 17, 2020 Conservationists recently noted the presence of active charcoal pits in the Upper Marikina watershed, adding to the list of illegal and destructive activities that had been happening within the protected area. (File photo courtesy of MASUNGI GEORESERVE FOUNDATION)
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 540 show cause orders had been issued against resorts and structures encroaching within the protected area of Upper Marikina River Basin, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Wednesday.
DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria made the statement when ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro raised issues concerning large private land claims in the Upper Marikina watershed.
READ: DENR drives out illegal occupants from Marikina watershed
“We have already issued 540 show cause orders for the different structures and establishments inside the Upper Marikina River Basin protected landscape,” Tamoria said during the House committee on appropriations’ deliberations on the agency’s budget.
“Out of the 540 show cause orders, 47 graduated into cease and desist orders, and 10 were filed in court,” he told lawmakers.
“We have already won in some cases. I would submit to the committee the actual details,” he added.
Tamoria explained that of the 540 show cause orders, some have legitimate claims covered by previous proclamations and dispositions.
Castro then directed DENR to submit a map and itemized inventory of all private land claims inside the protected area and identify the legitimacy of each claim based on existing laws.
The Upper Marikina watershed — a total land area of over 26,000 hectares and serves as the river basin that mitigates flooding in Metro Manila — was declared a protected landscape in November 2011 under Presidential Proclamation No. 296.
This means that commercial and economic activities within the protected watershed are banned.
The prohibition is meant to protect the tree species and wildlife in the area.
But even before the issuance of the proclamation, reports revealed that there were already illegal structures within the area.
Quarrying and logging companies were also reported to be operating inside the protected watershed, leading to massive deforestation and environmental destruction.
In the same hearing, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga revealed that they identified 510 commercial structures within the Upper Marikina Watershed so far.