DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio directed concerned agencies to address the issue on the City Government’s lethargic response regarding Bantay Bukid’s (forest guards) reports of environmental violations in the city’s watershed and forestry.
Bantay Bukid, the frontline in the enforcement of environmental laws in the upland, had raised their concern that the reports of violation that they conveyed to the city have not been properly addressed.
“Last December nagka-istorya mi during the gift-giving sa ilaha, ang ginasulti nila na mawala daw sa process sa pagpasa sa information sa ilahang mga sumbong ang ilahang mga reports about illegal logging, violation sa bukid (I talked to the Bantay Bukid and their concern was their reports about violation was lost in the process of submitting information),” Duterte-Carpio said.
She instructed the city administrator to sit down with the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), which handles the Bantay Bukid, as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Naa nato silay mga initial talks and yes nakita gyud nga ang information sa Bantay Bukid dili nagaabot sa mga offices (They already have initial talks and yes, their reports did not reach the concerned offices),” she added.
Earlier, over 200 Bantay Bukid took their oath to renew their commitment as volunteer service for the protection of Davao City watersheds at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Officials have acknowledged the help of the forest guards in preserving the environment from illegal activities.
The training of forest guards is spearheaded by Interface Development Interventions and Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). They also invited resource persons from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Watershed Management Council and Davao City ENRO.