DENR Calabarzon, CAR beef up ‘Oplan Save Boracay Mission’

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon on Monday said it has partnered with its counterpart in the DENR Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to beef up the teams dispatched for the “Oplan Save Boracay Mission”.

DENR Directors Sofio B. Quintana and Ralph Pablo for Calabarzon and CAR respectively, lead DENR Team 2 and Boracay Mission Team members of each regional offices in the collaborative effort to save Boracay from wanton abuse.

Quintana said their deployment was ordered by DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to save and restore the world’s top beach resort and island tourism landmark from wanton abuse of the commercial establishments and inhabitants that resulted in the destruction of the wetlands and the rich natural and marine resources in the island.

At a press briefing last Friday in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque told journalists that during the last Cabinet meeting in February, President Rodrigo R. Duterte gave Cimatu six months within which to submit his recommendations on what to do with Boracay.

The President’s directive has been the DENR’s battle cry, prompting it to conduct extensive surveillance, monitoring and restoration/rehabilitation works enjoining the local governments of Aklan province and Malay town and local resort establishments to save the island from its “cesspool” tag.

Melinda Gapas-Gordo, officer-in-charge of the DENR Calabarzon Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Section said the Secretary has directed the deployment of the DENR personnel from six regions, including Calabarzon to help with the mission.

Gordo said the team was tasked to conduct coordination with the LGUs, serve show cause orders, inspect violations of establishments if there is any, ensure that forest/timberland and wetlands were not destroyed due to construction of establishments/structures, and prepare observation and recommendation.

The Calabarzon team included in its membership the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Isidro Mercado; Land Management Officer (LMO) III Allan Willard Estillore and Forester Joseph Dacasin.

Gordo said CAR team included Assistant Regional Director Augusto Lagon , and personnel Joseph Dilem, Davis Siao, Onofre Daguio, Dancio Martines, Dominador Martin and Bryan Samuel.

In their extensive meetings, PENRO Isidro Mercado pointed out to Team 2 (Calabarzon and CAR) members their areas of assignment.

Mercado said the Calabarzon team has presented its initial report to Cimatu during the meeting last February 26.

According to Gordo, the team recommended the demolition of structures established within the areas of wetlands and 25+5 meter easements from the shoreline such as commercial establishments, stalls, and signages.

The DENR proposal also includes relocation of informal settlers who have occupied the wetlands or marshlands that should be protected as distinct ecosystems where a variety of flora and fauna could thrive.

 Further, Mercado has also briefed the second batch of personnel where he discussed the status of their activity and the areas of assignment of the team.

The DENR Calabarzon’s second week of the Save Boracay Mission has also deployed lawyer Dominic Bermudez, acting chief of the Legal Division; Dr. Joseph Palomar from the Conservation and Development Division and Gordo to continue the tasks of the first batch of personnel deployed for the mission.

The DENR teams also enjoin nature-lovers and environment-caring Filipinos to responsibly act not only in Boracay Island but in their respective localities to ensure conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources not just for the present but especially for the future generations.  (PNA)