No trees were cut during the road clearing operations in Sitio Campuestohan, Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City, within the multiple use zone of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
This was assured by Bacolod contractor Jerry Sy in a letter to Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares Tuesday, May 25.
Lizares on Monday, May 24, asked Sy to temporarily suspend road clearing work in the area until an environmentally favorable agreement is reached.
These activities can result to the destruction of trees in the area, Lizares said, stressing that Talisay City is passionate in the conservation and protection of the environment.
Sy, who has a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) approved Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA), in his letter to Lizares said “we understand that protecting the Negros forest is of the utmost concern not only by the local government but of every Negrense.”
He said his project focuses on the rehabilitation of the forest through the planting of endemic trees and providing livelihood to the locals.
Sy said he is fully aware of the rules and regulations of the local government unit, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and NNNP-PAMB in terms of implementing projects within the protected area.
He is only implementing activities approved by the PAMB, Sy said.
There were no trees cut during the clearing operations, the photos of fallen and uprooted trees posted on social media sites were caused by a landslide, he said.
“The pathway leading to the site already existed and it was not cleared for the purpose of cementing it but for locals to have easy access to and from the area, especially in transporting their goods to the market,” Sy said.
“Rehabilitation of the area is still our main goal for the project, however if this still calls for the temporary cessation of activities, we will surely abide and act on this matter accordingly,” Sy told the mayor.
Sy furnished Lizares a copy of NNNP-PAMB Resolution 164, Series of 2020 dated Dec. 21, 2020 approving his SAPA application for an integrated farm using agro-forestry techniques in a .8888 hectare area within the multiple use zone of the NNNP in Sitio Campuestohan.
Sy, in his development plan, said to be planted in the integrated farm are endemic trees, fruit trees, agricultural crops, and ornamental plants,
A nursery and cultivation area, post harvest area, rainwater catchment cistern, farm house and stock house will also be constructed, he said.
Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Bago City head, said the road clearing work was not covered by the SAPA.*