August 13, 2024, Tagbilaran City, Bohol – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 7 recently convened the Regional NIPAS Review Committee meeting to address the documentary requirements necessary for the proclamation of proposed Protected Areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). The meeting, held with the participation of Local Chief Executives from key municipalities in Bohol, Leyte, and Cebu, sought to engage local stakeholders in discussions surrounding the future of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef and other potential protected areas.
Among the attendees were representatives from the municipalities of Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Tubigon, and Calape in Bohol, as well as officials from Bato, Leyte, and Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The forum provided a platform for local leaders to voice their concerns and seek clarifications on the implications of declaring the Danajon Bank as a protected area.
The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) actively participated in the forum, which aimed to engage local stakeholders in discussions about the future of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef and other potential protected areas. The meeting provided a crucial platform for local leaders to raise concerns and seek clarity on the implications of designating the Danajon Bank as a protected area.
During the open forum, Clarin Mayor Eugeniano Ibarra raised a critical question regarding accountability within the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) in the event of implementation lapses. He referenced the controversial issue at Sagbayan Captain’s Peak, where local officials, including himself, faced suspension. In response, DENR representatives assured that a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) with dedicated staff would oversee day-to-day operations. However, they acknowledged challenges due to limited personnel, which stem from budgetary constraints at the national level.
Mayor Julius Herrera of another municipality expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Danajon Bank’s declaration as a protected area on local government units’ (LGUs) development plans. He underscored the need for clarity on how such a designation might affect future projects and growth within the region.
Similarly, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Secretary of Buenavista, representing Mayor Duallo, voiced reservations about the implications for LGU authority and jurisdiction under the Local Government Code. He argued that declaring the Danajon Bank a protected area could diminish the power and authority of local governments. As a result, the Buenavista Municipal Council refrained from passing a resolution in support of the proposed protected area designation.
In response to these concerns, DENR officials emphasized that the NIPAS Review Committee meeting’s purpose is to gather input from local stakeholders and address any objections or reservations. They clarified that if the concerned LGUs are not in favor of the proposed bill, it would not pose an issue, as local support is a crucial component of the decision-making process.
The meeting highlighted the complex interplay between environmental conservation and local governance, with stakeholders expressing the need for careful consideration of both ecological preservation and the autonomy of local governments. As discussions continue, the future of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef and its potential designation as a protected area remains a topic of significant interest among the region’s leaders.
