Authorities responded to the reported mangrove cutting incident in Barangay Luzviminda in Puerto Princesa City recently and discovered newly cut mangroves allegedly cleared by unscrupulous individuals in the area to pave way for space for dwelling.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) in a statement said that it inspected and investigated a reported mangroves cutting in the said Barangay, together with personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) and the concerned Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Luzviminda.
“Sa isinagawang inspeksyon, natuklasan na may ilang puno ng bakawan ang pinutol at may taniman ng nipa palms sa lugar, na bahagi pa rin ng mangrove ecosystem. Lumabas sa pagsusuri na ang lugar ay pagmamay-ari ng isang pribadong indibidwal, kaya kinakailangan ang masusing pagsusuri upang matukoy ang boundaries ng nasabing lupain. Ayon sa interbyu ng survey team, nabanggit ng mga residente na pinutol nila ang ilang bahagi ng bakawan dahil sa kakulangan ng lupa para sa pabahay. Pinaalalahanan sila ng PCSDS, DENR, at City ENRO na ang pamumutol ng bakawan ay mapaminsala sa kalikasan,” the PCSD informed.
It said that clearing mangroves for whatever purpose remove our natural barriers during storm surges that also serve as a habitat of our marine life.
“Mahalaga ang mga bakawan sa marine ecosystems bilang natural na hadlang sa storm surge at tirahan ng maraming yamang-dagat, kaya’t may mahalagang papel ang komunidad sa kanilang pangangalaga upang mapanatili ang kalusugan ng kapaligiran,” the PCSD reminded.
The authorities likewise urged the public specifically the local residents to cooperate with them by reporting mangroves cutting activities to help protect and preserve the natural environment, conserve mangroves.
“Hinihikayat ang lahat ng mga residente na maging mapagmatyag at makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad upang mapanatili ang kalikasan. Kung may impormasyon ukol sa mga iligal na gawain na may kinalaman sa buhay-ilang at kapaligiran,” they appealed to the public.
