Senator Cynthia Villar said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should replace security guards and forest rangers with drones to watch over the country’s 4.5 million hectares of protected areas.
Villar said aside from the lack of money to pay for the said personnel, their supposed connivance with illegal settlers makes it harder for the government to protect the said areas.
“It’s difficult to trust them because of collusion with squatters. Instead of preventing them to enter and build their homes in protected areas, these security guards and rangers are the ones allowing illegal settlers to enter,” Villar, during the hearing of the proposed P24.572 billion
budget of the DENR, said
The hearing also tackled concerns regarding the reclamation of Manila Bay and the management of prime tourist destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Puerto Galera, and Siargao.
The hearing highlighted the current state of these key tourism sites, water quality assessments, and budget allocation by the DENR for conservation activities.
During the hearing, Villar further raised concerns about the protected area occupied by the alleged cult Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI).
She questioned DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga on the agency’s decision on the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA)) granted to SBSI which was reported to be engaged in forced marriages, child labor, and other illegal activities.
Villar said security guards and forest rangers failed to watch over the protected area in Sitio Kapihan, Socorro town, Surigao del Norte which is now inhabited by more than 3,000 families.
The DENR chief said the agency has partnered with people’s organizations and requested additional budget but was turned down.
Responding to a query on the displaced Socorro cult members, Loyzaga said they are still waiting for the decision of the interagency team meant to look at the issue.
Villar also inquired if the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) has housing projects for the displaced families.