Government suspends land titling in proposed protected areas

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Ramon Paje has suspended land titling activities in locations set to be declared as protected areas.
The suspension is based on Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Memorandum Order No. 2011-04, which provides the guidelines in regulating all activities, projects, and land uses in all areas proposed for inclusion in the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas).
Under the order, the suspension covers survey and processing of all public land applications (PLAs) for titling purposes.
Paje, however, clarified that the suspension will only be effective on the date of submission of the draft proclamation by the DENR’s regional office, which has jurisdiction over the area, to the DENR Central Office in Quezon City.
Processing of applications for lease, license, or permit of any project or activity within the identified area, as well as the acceptance of new applications “except for projects that are compatible with the objectives of the NIPAS” are also suspended.
If the Office of the President decides to disapprove the proposed proclamation, the DENR will lift the suspension on said activities.
Paje said the move is to “ease environmental pressure caused by human settlements on areas that naturally maintain ecological processes, provide life support systems, and preserve biodiversity.”
Protected areas (PAs), as defined in Republic Act 7586 or the NIPAS, are portions of land and water with unique physical and biological significance.
These are managed by the government to enhance biodiversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.
PAs are categorized as nature or resource reserves; natural parks, monuments, or biotic areas; wildlife sanctuaries; protected land or seascapes; or as established by law, conventions or international agreements.
Data from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of DENR indicate that there are currently 239 protected areas included in the NIPAS, covering a total area of 5.4 million hectares.
Of the total, 111 have already been officially as such, encompassing a total area of 3.5 million hectares.
PAWB Director Mundita Lim said 82 are terrestrial PAs with a total area of 2.1 million hectares, of which 374,908.5 hectares are within alienable and disposable lands. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/14/government-suspends-land-titling-proposed-protected-areas-195774