13 December 2005
EDITORIAL: DENR must play team with LGUs
IT is a never-ending cat-and-mouse game, this problem on illegal squatters or, as euphemistically termed by welfare agencies, “informal settlers.”
In all parts of the country, this is a problem that defies even the most patient, dynamic and psychological solutions put forth by local officials to prevent the undue self-appropriation of public lands by the assorted homeless sectors out there.
In just one area of Dagupan, in Bonuan Binloc, this wild squatting especially on accreted lands is more pronounced than ever now. To its credit, the city government has moved to somehow curb it by taking “pre-emptive” action that is alas, somehow too, pre-empted by the fast-moving squatters.
The recent announcement about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office finally approving the “much delayed” miscellaneous lease agreement (MLA) for at least two accreted land sites in Binloc at the BFAR area is a most welcome move by that agency.
Having dragged its feet in taking action on the city government request made a long time ago, a few enterprising souls have already moved in, we hear, to find their own Canaan in these public lands. The city government could only feebly put up warning signs against illegal settlers not to occupy the accreted lands and not much else, without the official and direct seal of approval by DENR It is good the DENR finally got around to giving its “seal” in favor of government interests over the Binloc accreted lands.
Sadly, the general impression as regards activities of illegal settlers, especially of the more “influential” kind, is that some unscrupulous staff and officers of DENR are themselves tolerating squatting by their very inaction, for one reason or a thousand more.
It is time that agency moves positively and concretely to dispel that notion and really move in unison with local governments trying to stem the growing tide of illegal squatting in as innovative and creative ways as they can.
In all parts of the country, this is a problem that defies even the most patient, dynamic and psychological solutions put forth by local officials to prevent the undue self-appropriation of public lands by the assorted homeless sectors out there.
In just one area of Dagupan, in Bonuan Binloc, this wild squatting especially on accreted lands is more pronounced than ever now. To its credit, the city government has moved to somehow curb it by taking “pre-emptive” action that is alas, somehow too, pre-empted by the fast-moving squatters.
The recent announcement about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office finally approving the “much delayed” miscellaneous lease agreement (MLA) for at least two accreted land sites in Binloc at the BFAR area is a most welcome move by that agency.
Having dragged its feet in taking action on the city government request made a long time ago, a few enterprising souls have already moved in, we hear, to find their own Canaan in these public lands. The city government could only feebly put up warning signs against illegal settlers not to occupy the accreted lands and not much else, without the official and direct seal of approval by DENR It is good the DENR finally got around to giving its “seal” in favor of government interests over the Binloc accreted lands.
Sadly, the general impression as regards activities of illegal settlers, especially of the more “influential” kind, is that some unscrupulous staff and officers of DENR are themselves tolerating squatting by their very inaction, for one reason or a thousand more.
It is time that agency moves positively and concretely to dispel that notion and really move in unison with local governments trying to stem the growing tide of illegal squatting in as innovative and creative ways as they can.
