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Advocates Philippines
DENR Cancels Orders Eviction Of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. Members From Protected Area
Photo courtesy from PTV
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has canceled the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) between the agency and Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI). This decision affects hundreds of SBSI members occupying over 300 hectares of protected land in Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
SBSI, despite failing to submit annual reports on activities within the protected area, has constructed various infrastructures including a basketball court, wave pool, recording studio, radio station, monument, checkpoint, and houses.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized, "We are actually trying to put an end to the abuses that have gone on for several years in this area." She reiterated the original intention of PACBRMA to provide sustainable livelihood to tenured migrants in protected areas.
SBSI, despite failing to submit annual reports on activities within the protected area, has constructed various infrastructures including a basketball court, wave pool, recording studio, radio station, monument, checkpoint, and houses.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized, "We are actually trying to put an end to the abuses that have gone on for several years in this area." She reiterated the original intention of PACBRMA to provide sustainable livelihood to tenured migrants in protected areas.
Apr 8, 2024
