Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Council committees gathered at the Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City, on August 30, 2024, for the En Banc Meeting. The committees on Protected Areas and Wildfire, Mines and Geosciences, Forest Management, Land Management, and Environmental Management presented reports. They provided updates on the issues and concerns shared during the previous En Banc held in February 2024.
During the En Banc meeting, Mr. Jason B. Banisoc, Municipal Forester I, reported on behalf of the Environmental Management Committee. He discussed the illegal dumping of soil and debris and, as a result, the committee decided to request a site inspection through a resolution addressed to the Sangguniang Bayan. Regarding the issue of Barangay Tinongdan MRF Utilization, the action was for Barangay Tinongdan to set up a temporary MRF. For the Solid Waste Management (Collection and Segregation) issue, the committee proposed and implemented spot correction and the installation of waste cages. Furthermore, he also discussed the accomplishments of various activities during the first quarter.
Ms. Marilou Besa-ang, Forest Technician II of CENRO-Baguio City, presented the report on the National Greening Program. She reported that under the Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve (LAWFR), the Tinongdan Indigenous Peopleโs Organization, Inc. (TINPO) led the planting of coffee saplings and Benguet Pine saplings. Additionally, Mr. Banisoc provided forestry support and planting of coffee saplings and other fruit tree saplings. In total, 59,648 saplings were planted. The Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve (UARBRR), also in partnership with TINPO, planted OFT or Leafless tree saplings and Benguet Pine saplings, totaling 34, 654 saplings.
Mr. Paul M. Camantiles, chairperson of the Committee on Mines and Geosciences, reported the issues and concerns during the Small-Scale Mining Congress. Inspections conducted by the PNP revealed that some minors were working in the mining areas. As a result, a task force comprising Barangay officials, the Barangay peacekeeping action team, and the PNP was created to monitor compliance with the Small-Scale Mining Act. Additionally, there are issues with waste disposal, for that matter, they required the construction of tailing ponds and regular monitoring monthly.
Furthermore, regarding the application to sell gold to Bangko Central ng Pilipinas (BSP), they required contracts and a 5 percent deduction, thus the action made is to ask the SB to make a resolution requesting the BSP to consider the SEC registration, DTI, and DOLE registration as supporting documents in selling gold to BSP, instead of contracts and to remove the 5 percent deduction. He also mentioned the need for a Pollution Control Officer, thus they also asked the SB to make a resolution requesting the Municipal Mayor to create a position of Pollution Control Officer.
Hon. Jodea Brendalyn R. Acay-Camuyot, of the Committee on Land Management, noted that the barangays have expressed concerns about mining companies claiming lands that residents also claim. Additionally, determining which lands are patented and patentable, whether they belong to the mining companies or residents, and identifying the rightful parties for land transactions was another concern raised.
Additionally, Hon. Acay-Camuyot also addressed the DepEd Executive Order 100, which pertains to the National Governmentโs declaration of land reserves for school purposes, specifically in the schools in Bua and Tuding. She also discussed the concerns raised by the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs), the PNPโs response to the threats perceived by the BLGUs, and issues related to the safety of the employees and officials.
Furthermore, she announced that the committee passed two resolutions. The first resolution requests that the office of DENR-CAR, through the Regional Director to provide electronic copies of approved cadastral survey maps within the territorial jurisdiction of Itogon. The second resolution requests that the management of Benguet Corporation submit the updated status of BSF forms within the territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Itogon, which the concerned company had already submitted.
Lastly, Hon. Clint D. Galutan, Chair of the Committee on Protected Areas and Wildlife, reported on the observations made by his team at the Ave Maria Shrine. From stations 0 to 1, the team detected the presence of an unidentified bird, indicating the need for further research before presenting findings at the next En Banc meeting. Additionally, the team observed a Bam bird, yellow butterflies, and wild orchids. The same bird, flowering trees, and yellow butterflies were also sighted at stations 2 and 3. Additionally, they reported sightings of kuside or tala birds, three acacia trees, and black butterflies from stations 3 to 4. At stations 4 to 5, the team observed a Tebel tree, two quail birds, and more black butterflies. Woodpeckers were spotted at station 7, and traces of wildfowl were noticed at station 8. At station 9, they discovered feathers, which were troubling evidence of slaughtered wild hens. Hon. Galutan stated that the team would need cameras and binoculars to effectively carry out their duties and continue protecting the protected areas and wildlife. // Diana Katrixia Kawi Bayas
