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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nancy Binay scores DENR for negligence; wants PAMB meetings recorded

Nancy Binay scores DENR for negligence; wants PAMB meetings recorded

Published Apr 5, 2024 05:18 am

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay has criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over its complacency and negligence during Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) meetings which led to the building of structures in protected areas.

Binay said the DENR ought to have audio visual recordings of its meetings to avoid confusion and promote greater accountability within the agency.

The senator raised the matter during a recent Senate hearing on the construction of a resort in Chocolate Hills last Wednesday, April 3.

During the hearing, the DENR official admitted they were not privy to some of the details in PAMB meetings because their representatives were absent.

Binay said it is imperative that the DENR starts requiring an actual recording or footage of the PAMB hearings and not just resort to manual writing of minutes.

"Baka mas maigi na may (I think its much better to have) actual recording..Kasi kung minutes lang yun, hindi clear kung ano ba yung naging exchange, ano yung explanation (because if it’s based on minutes, it’s not clear what was the exchange all about, what are there for exploration)," Binay said.

"Nakakagulat lang na malaman na nagka-conduct pala ng hearing ang PAMB—which is chaired by the DENR Director—nang walang audio/video recording na magba-validate sa official minutes of the meeting (It’s surprising to know that the PAMB conducted a hearing—chaired by the DENR direcotr—yet there was no audio or video recording that could validate the official minutes of the meeting)," she furter said.

It was also revealed during the hearing that the PAMB clearance for Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort was issued during the time of former DENR regional executive in Central Visayas Gilbert Gonzales, who is now an assistant secretary in the agency.

But Gonzales told senators during the hearing that he was not present in the said PAMB meeting because he needed to attend a different event.

"The minutes/recordings are supposed to serve as accountability tools, and as reliable references should there be issues and misunderstandings in the future," Binay added.

According to Binay, the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort should be demolished because it may pave the way for more individuals and businesses to build structures in protected areas.

She noted that even though Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the DENR is already processing, Binay said the structures are the ones should be removed.

"Sabi ni Secretary Loyzaga (said) they are in the process of hearing itong issue ng Captain’s Peak, but sa akin (but for me)– ‘yung structure itself, ang sakit sa bangs nung itsura,” she said.

“For me, dapat matanggal talaga ‘yang structure,” she stressed.

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Chocolate Hills Nancy Binay DENR
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