A team composed of the officers and personnel of the City Government of Puerto Princesa, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Barangay Bacungan demolished structures along the illegally constructed road on Thursday morning, February 20, 2020, within the forestland of Talaudyong in Barangay Bacungan, in an effort to seize a portion of the forest illegally occupied by a certain Fe Elaya.
At around 10:05 AM, the team arrived at the area and informed a security guard who was stationed in a guard house that all the structures within the area will be removed and demolished.
There are four to five structures erected within the fenced portion of the forestland, including two guard houses, one rest area, and kitchen were destroyed, removed and confiscated. A prior notice was sent to Elaya ordering her to voluntarily remove the structures or else it will be demolished.
The illegally constructed road in Talaudyong funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was questioned by the city government and other agencies because it traversed within forestland classified as core zone therefore damaging environmentally-critical areas, wildlife and its habitats, and the natural environment of the forest.
The core zone is the area of maximum protection such as natural forest and shall be free of human disruption. This is part of the graded system of protection and development control in Palawan institutionalized through Republic Act 7611 also known as the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan.
Assorted illegally cut forest products used in the construction of guard houses and other structures were confiscated by the team. These are temporarily deposited at the Barangay Hall of Barangay Bacungan, while appropriate legal actions are prepared by the composite team.
Atty. Carlo Gomez, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said that City Mayor Lucilo R Bayron instructed him to file necessary complaints and they are determined to pursue legal actions to those who are responsible.
The City ENRO, which he heads, will secure the area to prevent future intrusions and occupation within a forest. Among his plans is to partner with the DENR, Barangay Bacungan and the local community for opening of eco-tourism destinations and engaging into potential income-generating tourism activities that will benefit the locals. They will also deploy a management team to monitor and protect the forested area composed of representatives from barangay, DENR and city government.
The demolition went through without any resistance. Though, a woman named “Gigi” riding in a single-motorcycle tried to obstruct the law enforcers and police officers, Atty. Gomez reminded her not to enter within the forested area anymore, or else she will face legal complications. She however left few minutes later.
To avoid and minimize any intrusions within the forested area/ core zone portions of the illegally constructed road was blocked with earth materials and felled trees to serve as blockade. This prevented any entry towards the core zones.
Fe Elaya claimed to be an applicant of the forested area for a
tenurial instrument from the DENR. She also occupied a beach-side property where buildings and other structures are built in the area. She was invited during the technical conference on the first week of February 2020, presided by the DENR but she was noticeably missing and sent only a representative. She was reportedly in the beach in Talaudyong during the demolition, but she eluded the composite demolition team members. She was reached only through the mobile phone. Despite being elusive to authorities, she will face charges in court for violating Presidential Decree 705 also known as the Forestry Code of the Philippines.
Allan Pagadora, one of the security guards hired by Elaya said that they are only performing their duties as security officer and was not aware that the area they are guarding was an illegally occupied area. He said that during Saturdays and Sundays, Elaya visit the forested area where they stationed.
He said that if he is only aware that the area is illegally occupied, he will never work there, knowing the threats within the forest. Elaya allegedly exploited some low-income individuals who are in dire need, and are unaware of her illegal occupation in the area, to serve as her guards there.
Pagadora lives in Quito, within the city’s seaside urban communities. She has ten dependents, six of which are studying. Her wife is only a fish vendor who bought her products from a wholesale buyer locally known as alpor or komprador/consignacion.
“Mahirap na. Nalalagay tayo sa alanganin kasi nasa (environmentally) critical area pala tayo. Ang asawa ko ay nag-aangkat lang ng isda sa palenke, pero kung alam ko lang na illegal pala binabantayan namin ay hindi ako magtratrabaho doon,” he explained.
Now, Pagadora quit his job as a security guard, realizing that the forested area needs to be free from any pressures and human activities in the area.