DENR starts zoning survey of Bantayan
The shoreline of Sta Fe, Bantayan Island north of Cebu.(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) has started to mark out boundaries of Bantayan Islands for possible alienable and disposable lands and protected areas.
A 17-member team was sent to the island on Monday to conduct the survey of the 23,000-hectare area in northern Cebu.
DENR-7 spokesman Eddie Llamedo said they will identify multiple-use zones (MUZ) and Multiple Strict Protection Zone (MSPZ), as defined in the island’s general management plan (GMP) that was endorsed by the Protected Area Management Board.
“The MSPZ consists of areas with existing water sources, abundant mangrove plantations and turtle nesting places, among others, which will remain protected,” said Llamedo.
Meanwhile, those that belong to the MUZ are agricultural areas which may be converted into A and D land , making available for titling and private ownership.
The agency is set to submit the general management plan and survey data to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje for approval by Aug. 8.
After approval, it will sent to the Senate for further study and hopefully a new law.
Bantayan Island is classified as a protected wildlife area under Presidential Proclamation 2151, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1981.
Llamedo said the lack of a land use plan for Bantayan Island was highlighted after supertyphoon Yolanda when became difficult to set up relocation sites for storm victims.
The DENR was mandated in 2009 to come up with a land use management plan for Bantayan. This was part of the order of Regional Trial Court Judge Marilyn Yap who ordered the demolition of seawalls and kiosks of several Sta. Fe beach resorts encroaching on a 20-meter public easement zone.
In 2008, Cebu 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangonfiled a bill reclassifying the island into A amd D land to allow full development of Bantayan. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives, but failed to clear the Senate.Salimbangon re-filed the bill last year.
“Our aim really is for it to become a law,” Salimbangon said.
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