DAVAO CITY — The environmental group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) has lauded the move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 11 (DENR-11) to conduct an inventory of all resorts in Davao’s forest lands.
IDIS executive director Chinkie Pelino-Golle underscored the importance of the inventory on determining the resorts operating within the region’s identified forest areas.
“Importante man na kay kung naay violation or singlonon at least naa silay listahan (It is important so that if there are violations or liability at least they already have the list),” Golle said during Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao.
She said IDIS is even willing to assist in the inventory if they are invited. On Friday, May 5, the DENR 11 assistant regional director Marcia Isip said the inventory was ordered by the national office so that the agency can “determine the compliance on environmental laws rules and regulations.”
Isip said all Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) have been ordered to make an inventory of all the resorts in their areas of jurisdiction, especially those situated in the forest lands.
In the resort island town of Samal, Isip said they are already starting to gather information whether establishments that cater to tourists comply with environmental laws.
She explained that in their inventory, the resort owners or managers will be given survey questions if they are operating for commercial, domestic or household purposes.
The PENRO and CENRO in every area will submit their results this month so that the violations will be reported to the DENR central office. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
