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| DENR probes illegal logging, squatting |
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| Thursday, 29 July 2010 18:13 |
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ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje yesterday ordered an investigation on the reported illegal logging and squatting inside the Angat watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Paje issued the order to the DENR’s Field Operations, Forest Management Bureau and the regional office of the department in Central Luzon following reports of encroachment and illegal activities in the watershed. “We have to protect the watershed from any encroachment and other illegal activities that would compromise the integrity of the Angat Dam, especially at this time that our water supply has been affected by the impact of the El Niño phenomenon,” Paje said. Reports disclosed that some 600 illegal settlers, among them employees of the National Power Corporation, who have been in the area for the past 20 years, are occupying portions of the watershed within the boundaries of Bgy. San Mateo in Norzagaray town. The Angat watershed has a total area of 62,309 hectares. “We have to look into the veracity of the report. If indeed there are illegal settlers in the watershed, it is the responsibility of the Napocor to clear the area of squatters,” Paje said. Paje also directed the three DENR offices to look into the reported illegal cutting of trees in the watershed which, according to the report, there were at least 30 cases of timber poaching recorded in the area from 2005 to 2010. “If this will be verified by our team to be true, we will have to assess Napocor’s capability to manage and protect the Angat Dam and its watershed and work closely with them to effectively protect the watershed,” Paje said. Former President Fidel Ramos issued in 1995 Executive Order No. 258 which assigns the full control and management of Angat watershed and reservation to the Napocor, including the resettlement or relocation of occupants or settlers in the area and the enforcement of forestry and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. |
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