The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-City Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) for Kabankalan City will be conducting hearings next month regarding the Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve, which is located in central Negros.
The hearings are being held as a means of gauging opinions on the reserve’s establishment or disestablishment.
The first hearing is scheduled for August 27 at the residence of Barangay Carol-an Captain Joceryl Paculanang in Kabankalan City, beginning at 1:00 p.m.; the following day, Saise Elementary School in Himamaylan City’s Barangay Buenavista will host one starting at 9:00 a.m.
The third will be held on August 29 at the Barangay Tan-awan covered court in Kabankalan City, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
According to DENR, hearings are required as per RA 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.
Section 5, or “Establishment and Extent of the System,” calls on “all local government units in the affected areas, national agencies concerned, people’s organizations, and non-government organizations and [invited] officials to submit their views on the proposed action at the hearing.”
RA 11038, which amended RA 7586, recognized three protected areas in Region VI, including the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park in Aklan and Antique, Sibalom Natural Park in Antique, and Northen Negros Natural Park in Negros Occidental./WDJ