The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sustains the campaign against encroachment in the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) by stopping illegal structures and occupants inside the protected area.

In a report on Wednesday, it said a notice of violation (NOV) and stoppage of an illegal construction within Sitio Pakol, Barangay Celestino Villacin in Cadiz City has been issued by the DENR-Western Visayas (Region) 6 and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Livino Duran said as the name suggests, protected areas should be protected.

“We, at the DENR, always remind the public that it is important to protect and conserve our precious natural resources to attain sustainable development for all,” he added.

Being constructed is a two-story concrete house, whose owner was identified as Florante Halipa and lot claimant, as Francisco Villanueva, within the jurisdiction of the NNNP’s multiple-use zone.

The team of CENRO-Cadiz installed an NOV signage on the property as the construction lacks Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) clearance or permission from the DENR-Protected Area Superintendent Office, building permit, special use agreement in protected areas, and environmental compliance certificate.

Duran said the encroachment of forestlands in the NNNP is continuously being addressed and monitored by the DENR.

Public notices and signages have been installed in strategic locations across the protected area to deter the selling and buying of forestland areas, he said.

Under Section 18 of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, it is unlawful for any person to occupy or dwell in any public land within the protected area without clearance from the PAMB and such could warrant a fine of PHP200,000 to PHP1 million and/or imprisonment of one to six years.

NNNP is home to threatened and endangered endemic species such as the Negros bleeding heart dove, Visayan warty pig, Visayan spotted deer and Red lauan.

Having unique biophysical and geographical features, it is part of the largest watershed in Negros Occidental province.

NNNP falls under the jurisdiction of 11 local government units, including the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, and San Carlos, and the towns of E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, and Murcia. (PNA)