THOUGH it lauded the move of Silay City Government to require establishments at Barangays Patag and Guimbalaon in Silay City to present business permits in 10 days or else a cease and desist order will be issued against them, the Group of Environmental Socialists (Goes) is calling for a continuous effort against alleged illegal structures within the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
The local government over the weekend inspected some establishments at the upland areas and issued notices of violations for allegedly operating without necessary permits.
For the environment group, this is a "credit to the city government as it has taken a big step in enforcing the law against these illegal structures inside the natural park."
"However, we are calling the enforcers of these joint operations to not just stop there," it said, adding that "we do not want to see another band-aid solution to the growing number of illegal structures inside the NNNP."
Goes, in a statement, claimed that allowing illegal structures and business owners to operate inside the protected park is like giving unwarranted benefits to the rich and powerful individuals who are environmental and tax violators.
The local government already found out that there are violations at Barangay Patag thus, these establishments must be closed and demolished, it said.
The group condemned anew the alleged illegal structures at the NNNP for sabotaging the national government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Internal Revenue.
They are gaining profit at the expense of the natural resources, the group added.
It called on the DENR to look at the issue of the certificate of stewardship contract of these establishments, as well as other properties in the area.
This, it said, will put a stop on the proliferation of illegal structures that continues to mushroom due to the failure of enforcing the laws.
Goes remains watchful on these matters and will continue to refuse any development that can cause havoc and irresponsible damage to our environment, it added.