THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told senators on Wednesday that it has put on hold all applications for leases, permits and other agreements on protected lands to give way for a review of how stakeholders and private entities may use these areas. “There are instructions from the Secretary (Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga) that as of yesterday (Oct. 17), we will be issuing a memorandum to all regional directors to suspend, in the meantime, the issuance of the acceptance of all applications for tenurial instruments pending review of this policy,” Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones told a Senate hearing on the DENR’s proposed P24.57-billion budget for next year.
Tenurial instruments are leases, agreements, joint ventures or production sharing agreements, and licenses concerning the development, exploration, and utilization of the country’s natural resources, according to DENR Administrative Order No. 09 published in 2020.
Last month, the DENR suspended an agreement it had with the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) — currently under investigation for alleged illegal cult practices — for the use 300 hectares of protected land in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte.
The Senate is in the middle of investigating the group’s alleged human trafficking, exploitation, forced labor and child sexual abuse activities.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar told DENR officials that the agency should come up with more measures and use its funding to safeguard the country’s protected lands.
Ms. Villar said the government must harness modern technology like drones and satellite imagery to keep an eye on activities being conducted in protected lands.
“You’re supposed to protect the environment; you’re not the Department of Trade and Industry” she said during the hearing. “We’re not supposed to be doing business in our protected areas.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez
