THE Group of Environmental Socialists (Goes) has submitted a letter to different local government units (LGUs) and agencies expressing their concerns on the “anomalies” at the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) particularly the structures built inside the protected area.
It was recently submitted to Silay City, Salvador Benedicto, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), National Anti-Poverty Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) in Western Visayas.
Goes, in a statement, said this move is a step forward to address and expose the “can of worms” destroying the NNNP.
The resorts, business, and commercial establishments operated in the park have no locational clearances, business permits, Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) clearance, and Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), it said.
Pastor Ariel Garzon, the group’s coordinator, said they are calling the attention of DENR-Western Visayas director Francisco Milla Jr. and Penro head Edgardo Rostata to do their mandates to protect the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.
“We are reminding you to do your profession appropriately. Stop giving unwarranted benefits to these rich and powerful individuals,” he said.
Garzon added that if they can find out that these structures have no necessary permits, how can these government offices fall asleep and do nothing about it?
“These public servants do nothing to do their duties and responsibilities,” he said, adding that “we will use all channels to address social problems that affect the marginalized society, the poor, and the oppressed.”
For Goes, the issues and concerns inside the NNNP affecting the abuse society need to address immediately.
Thus, it is imperative that concerned government agencies must lead the battle cry to save the natural park, it said.
The group said it is treating the matter as its ceaseless advocacy on behalf of the Filipino people, who are undeniably against the destruction of natural resources which are on its critical state now.
“Let us all stand for our forests our life support system. We cannot fight the climate crisis without our forests,” Goes said.
It added that “government agencies need to act now to save the NNNP, our watershed and land rights.”