00:48.6
calling them dangerous and illegal.
00:51.1
A Filipino woman killed her husband in critical condition
00:56.5
after a fire hit a residential building.
00:59.7
In the United Arab Emirates.
01:02.9
And a U.S. appeals court denies another attempt by Donald Trump
01:08.4
to delay his hush money trial.
01:16.0
On Hot Copy this morning,
01:19.0
Philippine senators want to clip the powers of the Protected Areas and Management Board,
01:25.1
or PAMBI, which is being blamed for approving permits
01:29.7
that allowed commercial establishments to be built in protected areas.
01:35.2
Sherry Ann Torres reports.
01:38.5
Philippine senators can't help but frown at the explanations offered by officials
01:43.4
of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
01:46.3
concerning the construction of Captain's Peak Resort
01:50.0
at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and resorts around Mount Apo in Davao City.
01:55.4
Both locations are protected areas that prohibit commercial use.
01:59.7
Environment Chief Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga
02:02.6
pins the responsibility of approving permit applications
02:06.1
to the Protected Areas and Management Board, or PAMBI,
02:10.1
adding they don't have a say on such matters.
02:13.3
The membership of the PAMBI is dominated by the local interests.
02:18.3
The DNR sits as chair. It does not vote.
02:22.3
And the PAMBI can be constituted when the DNR is absent or not available
02:26.4
because there is another pressing engagement.
02:29.7
By the majority of the members.
02:31.9
But Senator Nancy Binay argues the DNR is not totally blameless.
02:36.4
Secretary Loyzaga, I agree with you that there are plenty of good people
02:41.5
in the DNR, but at the moment, we don't feel it.
02:46.0
Whenever there's a meeting, the sheer number of the attendees
02:49.9
will outvote even the DNR.
02:53.1
If it's not on the agenda, no one will vote to begin with.
02:56.6
Who initiated the...
02:59.7
permitting of Captain's Peak and the others?
03:04.9
Because it seems like you're showing that...
03:10.3
That the DNR is not guilty.
03:12.2
Senator Cynthia Villar questions the absence of DNR officials
03:16.1
on the day the permit application for Captain's Peak Resort was approved.
03:21.0
Villar maintains that particular meeting would not have pushed through
03:24.6
without the DNR's consent.
03:26.6
It seems like the barangay captains used it to approve.
03:29.7
It's the PAMBI certification.
03:32.4
Kasi in a PAMBI meeting, ang sekretariat is DNR.
03:37.9
Kung ayaw magawa ng meeting ng DNR, pwede naman nilang matuloy yung meeting.
03:44.0
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also grilled DNR Assistant Secretary Gilbert Gonzalez
03:49.8
who signed off on the controversial project.
03:52.6
He was identified as the agency's regional executive director in Bohol at that time.
03:59.7
Nagkataon po na during this time, hindi po ako present during the PAMBI meeting.
04:09.9
I was on an official travel in Baguio.
04:13.9
We will just leave it at that.
04:15.8
Absent ako nun, so wala akong kinalaman dun.
04:18.7
Yun, analang, ganun na lang.
04:20.4
Gonzalez insists they did their job,
04:22.9
but blames the supposedly vague implementing rules and regulations
04:26.6
of the expanded National Integrated Protection...
04:29.7
Area System or INIPAS Act
04:32.4
that allowed the approval of an environmental compliance certificate.
04:36.7
Hindi ko sinasabing na pumirma lang kami nakapikit dito eh.
04:40.3
This went through a process.
04:42.1
And we recognize the decision of the PAMBI in this particular decision.
04:45.4
Why this resolution?
04:46.7
Mas kinamay titolo.
04:49.7
Dahil dapat ang prioridad ay konserbasyon at proteksyon.
04:54.9
Dahil magugunaw na ang mundo sa init at sa bahay.
04:59.5
Dahil magugunaw na ang mundo sa init at sa bahay.
04:59.6
Dahil magugunaw na ang mundo sa init at sa bahay.
04:59.7
Dahil sa pagwawalang bahala sa ating mga batas,
05:04.3
ay mali po ang inyong interpretasyon ng aming ginawang batas.
05:09.4
Senators also quizzed environment officials on the proliferation of resorts near Mount Apo,
05:15.2
one of which was even fined P50,000 for putting up facilities without proper documents.
05:21.4
So anong balak nyo po dito sa walapang clearance?
05:24.9
At walang ECC. At alam nyo po na bawal, dapat wala sila doon.
05:29.7
We need to acknowledge that in some of these areas, there are titles,
05:33.2
alienable and disposable lands that are already with title.
05:36.7
And therefore, we have no option but to recognize the rights
05:39.7
and have that regulation be part of the LGU and DNR coordination.
05:44.5
The Senate Committee on Environment says it will expand its probe on other protected areas.
05:49.9
But these early, both Villar and Binay see the need to limit the voice of village officials
05:54.7
when it comes to environmental permit applications.
05:57.8
The DNR, they say,
05:59.7
will also be empowered to demolish structures located in protected areas,
06:04.2
including those that have no supporting documents.
06:07.5
Sherian Torres, ABS-CBN News.
06:12.7
Alright, joining us now on Hot Copy, we have with us Senate President Pro Tempore,
06:18.3
Senator Lauren Legarda.
06:20.2
Senator Legarda, good morning to you.
06:22.9
Good morning, Karen, and good morning to the Filipino people.
06:29.7
you have been the principal author, the advocate,
06:35.1
you have been pushing for protected areas for many, many years now,
06:39.9
but there seems to be a misunderstanding of protected areas.
06:46.2
Let's start first with, right now, we looked,
06:50.0
there are 248 protected areas, of which 114 have been formally legislated.
06:57.2
What does it exactly mean?
06:59.7
In a simple word, Senator,
07:02.7
can a protected area be built?
07:06.0
Can it be made into a house, a commercial area, a hotel?
07:11.1
What is the intention of your law?
07:15.6
Thank you very much for your question.
07:17.7
It's very basic and people need to understand it.
07:20.1
What is the intent of the NIPAS law and the e-NIPAS,
07:25.1
Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System?
07:29.7
The title says it all, Karen.
07:32.6
It is for protection.
07:34.8
It is for the enhancement of biological diversity.
07:40.6
It should be not for human exploitation that would destroy nature,
07:47.7
because when we protect nature, nature protects us.
07:52.1
Ang ibig sabihin ay may mga lugar, they could be terrestrial, ibig sabihin sa lupa,
07:58.5
and there are areas,
07:59.5
which are wetlands,
08:01.3
there are areas which are also water,
08:03.4
ating karagatang.
08:05.1
Hindi ibig sabihin na ito'y
08:10.6
There are areas because we legislated
08:19.5
author of the expanded
08:23.8
the intention of the
08:25.6
law is to protect,
08:29.4
diversity, not just
08:31.8
for aesthetics, but
08:37.0
mountains if they are all chopped
08:39.6
off. I'm being very drastic
08:41.7
and basic here. Imagine
08:45.7
just allow primary
08:47.7
and secondary forests to be cut.
08:51.7
waterways and our seas
08:53.4
if we don't protect them
08:57.3
rampant throwing of,
09:01.5
waste. Imagine all of this.
09:03.7
Then there's no livelihood to speak
09:05.5
of. Then, landslides,
09:10.0
death, loss of livelihoods
09:13.5
Sa maliwanag na simpleng
09:15.4
salita po, kung hindi po natin
09:17.6
pangangalagaan ang
09:19.4
ating kapaligiran at kalikasan
09:27.5
pangproteksyon kabundukan,
09:29.4
man kapatagan man o
09:31.3
karagatan man, ay
09:35.3
dadami ang mamamatay,
09:39.0
buhay at kabuhayan.
09:41.5
Gaya ng nangyayari na ngayon
09:43.1
at mas grabe pa. However,
09:47.3
and many of them where there are
09:49.2
already sustainable livelihoods,
09:52.1
where there are human
09:53.4
settlements, where there are
09:55.4
ancestral domain claims,
09:58.6
indigenous peoples
10:00.7
and these must be respected
10:03.9
livelihoods of people.
10:06.5
So, people have prior rights.
10:08.9
Ibig sabihin, bago po natin
10:11.0
ginawa yung batas
10:16.5
the 94, there were
10:18.4
13 protected areas
10:22.8
isa-isa. Tingi-tingi.
10:25.2
Nung ako po'y pumasok sa Senado
10:28.6
iilan lang po ang protected area
10:31.0
at gumawa ako ng isa.
10:34.9
It took so long, Karen.
10:37.2
Naisip ko, kung isa-isa
10:41.0
ang kailangan proteksyonan,
10:42.6
siguro maski sampung termino ko,
10:44.5
hindi ko matatapos. That is why
10:46.4
we integrated it, put it together
10:51.0
protection landmark
10:55.3
And this includes, of course,
10:57.4
the bohol chocolate.
11:00.1
So, the intent of your law
11:04.6
Ang tanong ko ngayon, ma'am,
11:08.8
Because ito, maybe, where are
11:18.2
Protected Area Management
11:20.6
Board. By the sheer title,
11:22.8
they're supposed to manage
11:24.1
the protected areas.
11:26.0
And yet, it's the PAMBI,
11:28.6
that is granting permits
11:30.5
for these resorts
11:32.0
to be put up, captain-speak,
11:34.5
being the most controversial.
11:36.3
So, Senator, what have you discovered?
11:38.7
Where are the gaps?
11:40.6
The gap, clearly,
11:42.2
is in the implementation,
11:43.6
in the strict, effective,
11:46.1
and efficient implementation
11:49.7
which are very clear for any
11:51.8
person to just interpret
11:54.2
even the title. However,
11:56.2
we created the PAMBI.
11:57.7
Ano ba huyong PAMBI?
11:58.6
PAMBI, Protected Area Management Bureau.
12:03.2
Sino ba ho ang chair?
12:04.8
Ang Regional Executive Director ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
12:12.5
Bilang chair, meron pong mga membro ang PAMBI.
12:15.4
Many members, there are the local officials elected, also academic institutions, people's organizations, and NGOs.
12:26.5
Marami pong mga membro.
12:27.7
Siyempre po, hindi naman iisang tao lang magdedesisyon.
12:31.7
However, it is important that the chair, who is a government official mandated to implement the INIPAS law, must be able to explain the importance.
12:44.7
And as any law, being in the legislature, the executive department, in this case, the DENR, is the implementing agency.
12:55.2
So we created the PAMBI.
12:57.2
And the PAMBI will come out.
13:00.6
Gagawa po siya ng isang Environment Management Plan.
13:06.2
In that management plan, it must be consistent with the law.
13:11.2
And what does the law say?
13:13.2
Enhancement of biological diversity against human exploitation.
13:21.1
Sa Pilipino po, ay pangangalaga ng kalikasan karagandahan.
13:27.2
Sa tanmansyan o kabundukan.
13:29.7
Para po, hindi lalabagin ang sobrang paghamit nito.
13:37.1
So that's very clear.
13:39.1
So, Senator, right now, based on your hearings, no, the DENR says they don't vote.
13:45.4
They have no voting rights with the PAMBI.
13:48.2
And the members of the PAMBI are more than a hundred barangay officials.
13:52.8
So very political ang composition.
13:58.1
That's number two.
13:59.7
So it's mostly dominated by local interests, the DENR says.
14:04.1
And number three, some of the lots are titled.
14:09.9
Where Captain's Peak was put up, and they also name another resort, itong Sagbayan Peak, it's also titled.
14:20.2
So what needs to be changed then?
14:24.0
The DENR says they have no voting power.
14:27.2
The DENR, the regional director, who also heads the EMB, meaning the Environment Management Bureau, is under the region.
14:38.2
I mean, there are two regional directors of the Environment Management Bureau and the regional executive director.
14:45.0
There's also a regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
14:49.1
Let's go to the head of the PAMBI.
14:52.1
Number one, hindi po daan-daan ang membro ng PAMBI.
14:57.2
But there are the local officials, academe, NGOs, and the DENR as chair must preside all over it and must ensure that the management plan is done according to the law because they're the implementing agency for that.
15:17.5
Now, titled land, that is allowed because as I said, before 2018, when they expanded NIPA's law,
15:27.2
was legislated na isa batas po ito, may mga tao na po.
15:32.2
May mga nagpatitulo na po.
15:34.7
May mga prior rights.
15:36.6
Yan po ay dinirespeto ng batas.
15:38.8
However, even if you have a title to the land, the way you treat the land,
15:47.1
yung paggamit po ng lupa ay dapat sangayon sa batas.
15:52.6
And even if some areas are designated,
15:57.2
as A and D, ano bang ibig sabihin niyan?
16:00.0
Alienable and disposable.
16:01.4
It does not mean that you can do everything and anything para baliwalain ang kalikasan ng lugar.
16:10.5
Why are protected areas important?
16:13.3
Because these are perhaps a source of water.
16:17.5
These are vulnerable areas that protect the people in that area.
16:23.8
These are unique seascapes and or landscapes.
16:27.2
Some are UNESCO...
16:30.3
Yes, the chocolate hills.
16:33.5
Yes, UNESCO Geopark.
16:36.3
So, ito po ay mga mahalagang lugar.
16:40.6
O ulitin ko, hindi lang sa ating mata, kundi para sa ating kalusugan, sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.
16:47.8
So, these laws mean our very own survival.
16:52.8
Even if you have a title to a land,
16:57.2
before the law was legislated,
16:58.8
there are certain rules in the implementation of whatever activities or projects are within the protected area.
17:08.4
So, Senator, who is to be made accountable?
17:12.8
So, ang tanong, with Sagbayon Peak and Captain's Peak in Bohol,
17:19.6
wherein a portion of the mountain had to be chopped off, right?
17:23.4
Or areas of the mountain so that they could build,
17:28.6
Who is accountable for the fact that, you know, to build a resort, Senator, alam natin, hindi naman yan overnight.
17:36.4
So, you're talking about months and months of construction materials coming in,
17:41.8
hindi sila kimihinto.
17:44.0
Who is accountable for this?
17:46.8
Number one, the PAMBI, the Management Bureau chaired by the DNR.
17:52.1
As you said, it's not just one overnight.
17:57.1
So, when the chair was out of town, makikita po niyo yung plano, yung pinag-usapan po.
18:03.9
And, when the PAMBI and the chair sees that nakikita po na yung plano ay hindi sangayon sa batas,
18:12.0
isa po gusto niya at dapat sasabihin niya,
18:15.1
ang DNR ay hindi sangayon sa planong ito.
18:19.8
Kaya, mananagot po kung sino po ang decision.
18:23.1
Sa PAMBI, pangalawa.
18:26.2
they are building permits, right?
18:31.9
And, with regards to the resort in Chocolate Hills and Bohol,
18:36.9
there is no environment clearance certificate.
18:40.5
Aside from the go signal of the protected area management bureau or the PAMBI
18:47.4
under the INIPAS law,
18:50.7
aside from building permits and other permits from local government units,
18:55.5
the resort operates,
18:57.5
an ECC must be granted.
19:01.5
no ECC was given to the Captain P resort.
19:07.5
So, may mga violations po.
19:10.5
we have to look back and this must be a lesson learned
19:16.5
for local governments to follow the law to the letter
19:20.5
for a clearer and better understanding
19:26.5
even if the area is titled,
19:28.5
even if parts of the protected area are considered alienable and disposable.
19:37.5
the problem that we have is the DNR Secretary changes every six years, right?
19:43.5
So, tinatayong yung resort na iyon,
19:46.5
let's presume, maybe 10 years ago, 15 years ago.
19:49.5
And, clearly, without an ECC,
19:52.5
the DNR Secretary then,
19:54.5
and the team then,
19:57.5
There was no checking regarding the building of the resort.
20:01.5
Walang tao na pumupunta doon to check the protected areas themselves.
20:06.5
What can we do to institutionalize the protection of protected areas?
20:13.5
Karen, very good question.
20:16.5
And the answer is so clear.
20:19.5
That is the reason why there are laws.
20:22.5
The institutionalization of all these policies
20:27.5
to regulate activities in protected areas
20:31.5
are enshrined in the law.
20:33.5
I wish I could read.
20:35.5
If you give me an hour time,
20:37.5
may I read every element of the law,
20:40.5
every provision that we wrote.
20:42.5
I have a hard copy here.
20:44.5
Every definition of terms.
20:47.5
Each and every of the 94 protected areas
20:53.5
And before they were legislated,
20:55.5
there were studies of the DNR.
20:57.5
There was a presidential proclamation.
21:02.5
the officials implementing it
21:04.5
may change every six years,
21:07.5
The local officials are changed,
21:10.5
elected every three years.
21:12.5
What is the constant?
21:15.5
That's why the law is so important.
21:18.5
But the problem, like,
21:20.5
I wanted to ask you, Captain, speak.
21:23.5
They've been receiving tourists.
21:25.5
The law is there.
21:27.5
But they are operating without an ECC.
21:30.5
That's why it's wrong.
21:32.5
That's why it should be changed
21:34.5
and changed again.
21:36.5
And we have to look at many more
21:38.5
other protected areas.
21:42.5
first, it has a title.
21:45.5
I have not checked it.
21:46.5
Second, they were given a permit.
21:52.5
Because you're not going to stand up as a senator.
21:56.5
they did not understand
21:58.5
or interpret the law
22:00.5
in favor of enhancement
22:03.5
and protection of nature
22:05.5
and biodiversity.
22:07.5
But they were operating without an
22:09.5
environment clearance certificate.
22:12.5
environmental impact assessment
22:15.5
must also be done.
22:17.5
So, all of these processes
22:21.5
Because you may get one PAMBI clearance,
22:24.5
but you don't have the ECC.
22:25.5
But why is it there?
22:27.5
Why was it allowed
22:28.5
in several months
22:30.5
to be set up and to be operational?
22:34.5
I wanted to ask you,
22:35.5
since it's a protected area,
22:38.5
what's the process?
22:39.5
Let's say I own the land.
22:41.5
I pitch the resort.
22:42.5
Shouldn't there be experts
22:45.5
if you build a resort,
22:47.5
I mean, I'm not sure.
22:48.5
I'm not building.
22:50.5
considering it's a protected area,
22:52.5
shouldn't there be an agency
22:54.5
that's actually guiding
22:56.5
and watching every step
22:58.5
until a resort is finally built?
23:01.5
Not just the LGU.
23:02.5
Because the mayor
23:03.5
wouldn't be an expert, right?
23:05.5
The mayor may not necessarily know
23:08.5
what's for the environment.
23:11.5
So, should there be a better,
23:13.5
I don't know, mechanism
23:15.5
so that business and protection
23:17.5
can go hand in hand?
23:21.5
it's not just the mayor
23:23.5
or the barangay captain
23:25.5
of the protected area management bureau.
23:28.5
That's why the DENR is a chair.
23:31.5
That is why accredited people's organizations
23:35.5
and NGO and academic institutions
23:38.5
are represented in the PAMBI.
23:41.5
That's why there should be a process,
23:44.5
a consultation with the resident population.
23:47.5
There's a long process
23:49.5
so they went through that.
23:51.5
So something went wrong somehow
23:55.5
because we in Manila
23:58.5
suddenly saw a drone shot
23:59.5
and saw them there.
24:03.5
walang bahala eh.
24:04.5
They just didn't care.
24:10.5
How many more are like this?
24:12.5
It's important that we,
24:15.5
I wish I could read all the terms
24:20.5
is there anything that needs to be changed
24:22.5
when Secretary Loizaga said
24:24.5
that DENR cannot vote?
24:26.5
What do you make of that response?
24:29.5
eh, pag binoto ng PAMBI yan,
24:31.5
we have no voting power.
24:33.5
That seems a bit odd
24:35.5
but I wanted to ask,
24:36.5
do you need to change anything there?
24:39.5
they have to be given a vote?
24:41.5
Let me just review
24:43.5
the implementing rules and regulations
24:47.5
are general policies.
24:50.5
Implementing rules and regulations
24:54.5
how it's implemented.
24:58.5
is composed of many people
25:00.5
from different fields
25:03.5
and the DENR chairs it
25:05.5
at the end of the day.
25:07.5
that the DENR is powerless
25:12.5
chairs the protected area
25:15.5
management boards.
25:17.5
The chair can very well say,
25:20.5
this is not aligned
25:25.5
of biological diversity.
25:29.5
this is a UNESCO Geopark.
25:35.5
an environment clearance certificate
25:37.5
will be granted for this.
25:40.5
I think this will deface
25:43.5
the Chocolate Hills.
25:50.5
what's your reaction
25:51.5
when Secretary Loizaga said
25:54.5
the DENR is absent
25:57.5
because there are so many events
26:01.5
the DENR has no representative
26:03.5
in those hearings.
26:08.5
of the Regional Executive Director.
26:11.5
It's not an easy job,
26:19.5
is the responsibility
26:21.5
and to a certain extent,
26:23.5
they have accountability
26:25.5
for the implementation
26:30.5
Executive Director,
26:42.5
mountains being removed there?
26:46.5
it is temporarily closed
26:48.5
one protected area
26:52.5
that in each protected area,
26:54.5
there could be violations.
26:58.5
we must look into that
26:59.5
but I will look into the IRR
27:02.5
we cannot just keep on giving reasons
27:05.5
why laws are blatantly violated
27:09.5
whether it's the ecological
27:11.5
solid waste management
27:12.5
where people throw
27:14.5
anywhere they wish,
27:16.5
where even the Clean Air Act
27:19.5
the Climate Change Act.
27:22.5
and I'll be very blunt here,
27:26.5
who's an environmental lawyer
27:31.5
when he was venting,
27:33.5
the problem in this country
27:34.5
is that environmental laws
27:37.5
are just recommendations
27:40.5
and not implemented.
27:44.5
as four-term senator,
27:48.5
more strictly now
27:50.5
the oversight function
27:54.5
in all environmental laws
28:00.5
that will protect us,
28:02.5
110 million Filipinos,
28:05.5
will be implemented.
28:08.5
do we need another agency
28:11.5
that just focuses experts,
28:14.5
but they just focus
28:15.5
on protected areas?
28:18.5
it's a funded agency,
28:19.5
they give the last approval,
28:21.5
they study the areas,
28:22.5
they take care of the areas,
28:24.5
they monitor the areas,
28:25.5
other than the DENR.
28:29.5
is concerned with so many
28:30.5
other things, right?
28:33.5
you have rivers, etc.
28:34.5
But specifically for this law,
28:36.5
do we need an agency?
28:41.5
the regional director
28:43.5
We have another bureau
28:46.5
Biodiversity Management Bureau,
28:48.5
that also takes care
28:50.5
of protected areas.
28:55.5
many of them qualified,
28:57.5
many of them with
28:58.5
technical expertise
29:05.5
It's difficult to explain.
29:08.5
I'm not in their position,
29:10.5
to call them to a room
29:11.5
aside from an open hearing
29:12.5
and really find out.
29:14.5
I would like to call the mayor,
29:15.5
the barangay captain,
29:16.5
those who approved it then,
29:18.5
and really try to understand
29:20.5
the logic of their thinking.
29:25.5
in their judgment
29:27.5
that it was the right thing
29:29.5
to do at the time.
29:30.5
But if the DENR thinks
29:32.5
it was right then,
29:34.5
then why would they close it now?
29:36.5
So they agree with us.
29:38.5
That it was wrong.
29:40.5
Because first of all,
29:42.5
But the problem is,
29:44.5
the secretary of the DENR
29:48.5
That's why there is a law.
29:49.5
Regardless of who sits there,
29:52.5
she or he must abide by the law.
29:55.5
Regardless of who sits there,
29:57.5
as barangay captain or mayor
30:00.5
or whoever is the NGO representative,
30:03.5
must abide by the law.
30:05.5
So perhaps a clearer understanding
30:09.5
how do you simplify,
30:13.5
Ito ang mahigpit na pinapagbawal.
30:16.5
Ito lang ang pwede gawin.
30:18.5
Ang proteksyon ito.
30:20.5
That doesn't seem to be clear.
30:22.5
Like that captain's feet, right?
30:24.5
It's alienable and disposable.
30:26.5
But even aesthetically
30:29.5
that's not the kind of resort
30:31.5
you would imagine
30:32.5
in Chocolate Hills.
30:35.5
They must not just close it,
30:45.5
Because of the size,
30:49.5
it keeps expanding.
30:50.5
You would think that
30:51.5
they would be smaller,
30:53.5
sustainable resorts?
30:56.5
sustainable use of areas
30:59.5
in protected areas
31:02.5
Because there are
31:03.5
strict protection zones
31:05.5
and there are also multiple use
31:09.5
there are titled lands,
31:10.5
there are those which are considered
31:12.5
alienable and disposable,
31:14.5
and certain activities
31:17.5
Except, of course,
31:18.5
extractive activities.
31:23.5
bawal dyan ang mga
31:24.5
fossil fuel na power plants,
31:28.5
pwede naman ang activities
31:32.5
But not of that kind.
31:35.5
I want to say words
31:38.5
but something's stopping me
31:40.5
from saying the words
31:46.5
I'm gonna go very quickly
31:47.5
with some other areas
31:48.5
that have been discovered.
31:50.5
We can talk about this
31:51.5
at another time at length.
31:53.5
yung Socorro Bayanihan Group,
31:55.5
the alleged cult,
31:56.5
in Surigao del Norte, 2004.
32:00.5
The Protected Area Community-Based
32:02.5
Resource Management Agreement
32:07.5
That's a legal instrument
32:09.5
entered into by the DENR.
32:12.5
So, they gave it to those
32:14.5
to conserve the land
32:17.5
But then it became
32:21.5
Ngayon, binabawi ng DENR.
32:24.5
masungi is a whole other issue.
32:26.5
But let's start first with ito,
32:28.5
yung sa Surigao del Norte.
32:30.5
The mayor knew about it.
32:32.5
All the local officials knew.
32:34.5
that alleged cult grew.
32:36.5
Then they started building
32:39.5
Yun ang tanong ko, Senator.
32:42.5
in different areas.
32:46.5
and community-managed
32:50.5
Because we need to have
32:52.5
of the local communities.
32:53.5
The local communities
32:54.5
can be indigenous peoples.
32:56.5
The local communities
32:57.5
can be the rural villagers.
33:02.5
there are policies
33:04.5
on what activities
33:06.5
There are policies
33:08.5
on what structures
33:16.5
is what transpired
33:17.5
during the hearings.
33:19.5
there was an abuse
33:26.5
marami pong dapat
33:36.5
ang mga agreements
33:46.5
peoples organization,
33:48.5
at mga pribadong sektor
33:55.5
considering we've only
33:56.5
talked partly about two,
33:59.5
and I'm not talking
34:01.5
not Secretary Loizaga's
34:03.5
administration alone,
34:05.5
but frankly speaking
34:12.5
Can it do its job
34:14.5
or it lacks the power,
34:19.5
Because why can't it
34:21.5
through the years?
34:28.5
bureau of the DENR
34:30.5
so that they will be able
34:36.5
It's a pending measure.
34:38.5
that this is not enacted
34:41.5
dapat meron silang
34:46.5
yung ating batas.
34:47.5
It's not yet a law.
34:49.5
we have to make do
34:50.5
with existing laws
34:51.5
and it cannot be said
34:52.5
that there are no funds
34:57.5
to make the amendments,
35:01.5
the national budget.
35:04.5
budgets are never enough
35:07.5
are never enough.
35:10.5
that's not a reason
35:14.5
of our natural resources
35:26.5
Parang walang batas eh.
35:58.5
is what is the future of Masungi Geo-Reserve?
36:02.4
So there's an issue.
36:03.6
The DENR has said that the contract between Masungi Geo-Reserve Foundation
36:10.1
and their contract to conserve the area was void from the very beginning.
36:17.4
That's what the DENR said.
36:19.0
The DENR said there is no such thing as an endless contract, right?
36:27.5
So what's the future, Senator?
36:31.8
You have this foundation that the civil society says is doing a good job
36:36.8
and yet they have a questionable contract.
36:40.3
What happens now?
36:42.1
I would like to help them because I've not been there
36:45.1
and I intend to go there soon.
36:46.7
I wish you could join me to see the good work they're doing
36:51.0
because I've read it, I've seen it on video,
36:54.3
and it could be a model for sustainable,
36:57.5
uh, development for other activities within protected areas.
37:02.2
The legalities have to be looked into.
37:04.8
Uh, I was not privy to the internal processes
37:09.8
at the time when the late Secretary Gina Lopez signed the agreement.
37:13.9
Uh, there is an issue, I believe, on, uh, that agreement
37:19.0
and the Department of Justice has also, uh, given its, uh, own opinion
37:24.8
on, uh, that 2000.
37:29.1
So setting that aside and that would be the legal issue
37:34.8
between, uh, the proponents and that is the Geo Reserve,
37:39.7
Masungi Geo Reserve Foundation and the DNR and the DOJ's opinion.
37:45.8
The opinion may be part of the MOA or the whole MOA.
37:50.0
I still have to read it, although I've read portions of it.
37:53.8
So setting aside the legal issue, uh,
37:57.6
the proponents or the foundation must also abide by laws
38:02.1
because it is part of the upper Marikina, uh, protected area.
38:07.1
That's part of the 2018 legislated protected areas.
38:11.8
So the foundation managing should also, just like Captain speak,
38:17.8
uh, follow and, uh, do repertorial functions as all, um, activities
38:24.6
and proponents in protected area.
38:27.5
However, uh, what they're doing, if it's good, and from what I see,
38:32.2
there are sustainable tourism activities that do not contravene with nature,
38:38.7
which is aligned with nature.
38:40.1
It could also be, uh, good models for other protected areas.
38:45.2
So, uh, there are many discussions that need to be held.
38:50.3
I would suggest that the proponents or the board of trustees or those managing,
38:57.5
the ecotourism activities and the protection and conservation of the more than 2,600,
39:03.6
I believe, uh, protected area Masungi Resort,
39:07.0
which is so important, have a serious legal discussion with a hierarchy,
39:13.8
the secretary, the lawyers of the DNR, because it was inked.
39:18.2
It was signed in a different administration at the same time to include the Department of Justice.
39:24.8
If there needs to be just assuming
39:27.5
that according to, um, the, uh, secretary of DNR,
39:32.6
from what I heard during our hearing on Zoom,
39:34.7
it was invalid, uh, inicia from the beginning, assuming that's correct.
39:40.0
I still have to read the agreement.
39:42.2
There should be a discussion, a meeting of the minds so that they can continue under a new valid agreement.
39:50.2
Assuming the agreement was not valid, but it is not for me to decide that.
39:55.5
I am speaking based on the, uh,
39:57.5
Just what I heard during the hearing and things I've read because I have to read all the documents that have been given me and to also encourage all of them to talk to each other.
40:10.1
Mag-usap, sayang naman ibaliwala, isawalang bahala ang magandang ginagawa. Alam natin, ang ibang mga protected areas, inaabuso. Alam natin, hindi sustainable ang pag-develop ng mga ibang protected areas.
40:28.4
Ito, maaring modelo at sa aking kaalaman, maganda at magaling at mukhang may puso ang mga namamahala dito.
40:38.3
Kung meron bang legal...
40:40.1
...infermities yung pinasukan na agreement, ay dapat mag-usap at isaayos. Pero dapat lahat may repertorial.
40:48.2
Dapat may transparency sa management plan, sa mga activities, sa mga ginastos, sa mga kinikita. Dahil ito ay public land. Ang may-ari nito ay ang Filipino people, ang Republic of the Philippines.
41:04.5
Very good point. That end part where you said there has to be transparency.
41:09.4
With their cost and also the income. Because it is owned by the Philippine government. Now, another pitch, just quickly on Mazungi, is the possibility that there's a piece of land there that the BJMP wants to put up either the head office of a new prison site.
41:31.0
Kasi kulang na nga tayo ng space, right? For jails. What do you make of that?
41:36.9
I know that in a previous administration, a title was given to the Bureau, to the Bucor, the Bureau of Corrections. Okay? So, that's a legal document. That's a title. And if that information is accurate, then the Bucor legally owns that. However, kung ako ang Bucor, please naman po, huwag kayong magtayo dyan ng anumang gusali.
42:40.9
own it. But remember, the Bucor
42:43.0
is government. That's still the Republic of the Philippines.
42:47.2
wag kayong maglagay ng kulungan dyan.
42:49.0
Wag kayong maglagay ng mga headquarters
42:51.2
sa mga opisina dyan. Just
42:52.9
leave it for conservation.
42:59.8
to close this, you make a
43:01.1
good point that just because you own
43:03.0
the land and you have a title
43:05.0
to the land, doesn't mean you
43:07.0
can do what you want with the land.
43:09.7
In a protected area.
43:11.3
Yes, in a protected area.
43:13.1
Because there are laws.
43:14.8
There are very strict regulations
43:16.8
and there are zoning for strict
43:19.1
protection and for multiple
43:21.0
use. Pag multiple use,
43:23.3
mas maluwag. Kasi nga,
43:24.8
as the title would say, multiple use,
43:26.8
pwedeng gamitin. Pero, meron din
43:29.0
pinagbabawal po sa multiple
43:30.9
use. Hindi naman pwede
43:34.7
ng ating kalikasan. Babalik tayo sa
43:36.7
titulo. Babalik tayo sa intent
43:38.9
ng batas. Enhanced
43:40.7
biological diversity.
43:42.8
Sa simpleng salita sa Filipino,
43:46.3
ang ating kalikasan.
43:54.7
sa ating sariling kapakanan.
43:57.3
Simple po eh. Ang
43:58.7
pagkalbo ng bundok, ang
44:02.8
bundok, ang paniniraman,
44:04.7
para ng lawa at ng ating
44:06.5
karagtan, hindi po makakabuti
44:08.5
sa tao sa pagkain,
44:10.6
sa kabuhayan. Kaya, kailangan
44:14.1
Now, Senator, of course, there will be more
44:16.6
hearings on this. So, I do hope to have you
44:18.5
back on the show. But, very quickly,
44:20.6
I know that the Venice Biennale,
44:22.7
which goes on every year, that
44:24.5
you initiated, you will
44:26.7
be opening it this,
44:28.6
I believe, April 18, 16 to 18.
44:31.3
If I read it correctly,
44:32.6
tama ito. What can we expect?
44:34.7
Just before we go with the
44:36.5
Venice Biennale this year.
44:38.7
And why is this important?
44:42.7
years, the Philippines was absent
44:44.8
from the Olympics
44:46.5
of Contemporary Art in Venice,
44:48.7
Italy. So, in 2015,
44:51.0
we successfully brought it
44:52.6
back at the time. And since then,
44:54.9
we've been participating, the
44:56.6
Philippines, in a pavilion. And
44:58.6
this year, on April 18,
45:00.9
will be the Vernissage,
45:02.5
or the opening of the Philippine
45:04.5
Pavilion. Alternately, it is
45:06.7
art and architecture. It is
45:08.6
important because it shows
45:12.1
of our curators, of the
45:14.6
Filipino artists. It speaks,
45:16.5
it allows the Filipino to speak to the world
45:18.7
and have conversations
45:24.3
nabuhay po ang ating contemporary
45:28.4
at nabibigyan ng halaga,
45:31.0
nabibigyan ng boses, nabibigyan
45:32.8
ng patakataon. Ang ating
45:34.5
mga curators, hindi lamang
45:36.5
yung mga kilala na at sikat na mga
45:38.3
artists, even those who are up and
45:40.5
coming. So, we're happy
45:42.2
to collaborate with the National
45:44.3
Commission on Culture and the Arts
45:46.1
and the Department of Foreign Affairs
45:48.5
in supporting the Philippine
45:50.6
participation in the Venice
45:52.6
Biennale. But before we go, Karen,
45:54.5
I hope you give me the opportunity
45:56.4
to also greet our
45:58.5
Filipino Muslims in the
46:00.6
Philippines and abroad, o Muslims
46:02.6
sa araw na ito po,
46:07.4
nakikiisa po sa inyo, sa ating
46:10.5
mga kapatid na Muslim,
46:12.0
sa lahat ng panig ng ating mundo
46:14.5
na sana po'y patuloy
46:16.7
ang ating kasaganahan
46:18.3
at kapayapaan. Kaya,
46:20.3
isang araw ng pagpala
46:22.6
at kapayapaan po sa ating
46:24.4
mga kapatid na Muslim. Id mo ba rin?
46:27.1
On that note, I want to
46:28.6
thank you for joining me this morning,
46:30.8
Senator Lauren Legarda.
46:32.6
Thank you very much, Karen.
46:34.5
Maraming salamat.
46:35.7
We're going to take a quick break, Head Start.
46:37.7
We'll be right back. Stay with us.
46:45.0
Welcome back to Head Start.
46:46.8
Let's get the latest now on the
46:48.6
preparations for the 2025
46:50.7
midterm polls. And we're
46:52.9
joined by the Commission on Elections
46:54.7
Chairman, Chairman George Garcia.
46:57.7
Chairman Garcia, good morning
46:58.9
to you. Good morning, Ma'am Karen.
47:00.6
Good morning to all the televiewers.
47:02.5
Alright, so the latest
47:04.5
is you've received close to 2 million
47:06.8
new voter registrations
47:10.4
elections and you have a 3 million
47:14.6
That's right, Ma'am. We started the registration
47:16.5
on February 12. We are going to finish
47:18.7
and complete everything by September 30.
47:20.9
Try to imagine, we just
47:22.3
conducted the registration for the last 2 months
47:24.7
and we reached already the threshold
47:26.5
of 2 million. Hopefully, in the next
47:28.6
several months before the September 30,
47:31.2
we'll be able to not only
47:32.5
we will be able to serve
47:34.5
as the 3 million mark, the projection
47:36.6
that the Comelec set for purposes
47:38.6
of the election of the
47:40.1
2025 national, local
47:42.8
and 2025 likewise,
47:44.6
barangay and SK elections.
47:46.7
Okay. And another thing
47:48.5
that you are more optimistic about
47:50.8
is that the Comelec has
47:52.4
procured a new transmission
47:54.5
system for the 2025
47:56.1
elections. How different
47:58.2
is this new transmission system?
48:01.4
Practically, Ma'am Karen,
48:02.7
lahat ng mga wala before,
48:04.5
nilagay natin lahat ngayon.
48:06.4
There will be a sent-to-all
48:08.0
feature of this transmission, meaning to say
48:10.4
there will be no more the so-called
48:12.5
transparency server. Yung transparency server
48:14.7
kasi pag nabulunan, hindi na nakakakuha
48:17.0
ng results kahit ang media.
48:18.6
Ngayon po, from the precinct, it will be
48:20.4
sent to the PPCRB, NAMFRL,
48:22.7
to the citizens, to the majority
48:24.4
party, minority party,
48:26.2
to the media server
48:28.4
which means the kapisanan ng mga
48:30.4
broadcaster ng Pilipinas and such other media
48:32.5
entities and the City or Municipal Board of
48:32.6
And the City or Municipal Board of Ministers.
48:32.6
And the City or Municipal Board of Ministers.
48:32.6
And the City or Municipal Board of Ministers.
48:32.7
And the City or Municipal Board of
48:34.6
Canvassers. So meaning to say, they will
48:36.7
be able to counter-check each and every
48:38.6
precinct being sent to their
48:40.4
servers. And at the same time, we are
48:42.5
going to likewise print the election returns
48:44.5
and yung meron pa rin tayong resibo.
48:46.6
Yung resibo, Ma'am Karen, meron na po siya
48:48.5
ngayon, a QR code. Yung NAMFRL
48:50.4
PPCRB can immediately take the QR
48:52.4
code and can immediately conduct a
48:54.5
quick count. So there will be a lot of
48:56.2
counter-checking that will be happening and more
48:58.1
importantly, under the
48:59.6
feature of the transmission, the
49:04.2
a mirror on whatever
49:05.9
the results are sent to
49:10.2
Okay. Would this transmission
49:14.1
this better than the last
49:16.1
one we had during the presidential
49:20.2
Ma'am, we are hoping that this will be better and
49:22.1
this will be more transparent because
49:24.1
during the last election, there were
49:25.5
questions about, there was
49:32.2
that the results were being sent.
49:34.2
And here, we also
49:36.1
disproved that, but
49:38.3
in this particular case, try to
49:40.3
imagine from the precinct, going to the
49:42.1
different entities simultaneously,
49:44.7
maybe there's a difference of
49:46.0
two seconds, the PPCRB,
49:50.5
and majority-minority party
49:52.1
and therefore they can easily counter-check
49:54.2
the results. Okay. So you've
49:56.0
awarded this to I-1 Resources
49:60.0
Ardent Networks Incorporated.
50:02.2
I wanted to ask you, this is correct
50:04.2
that Smartmatic at this point
50:06.4
is banned from all
50:08.1
Comelec procurement, right? Yes,
50:10.2
Ma'am, because that's our decision, this
50:11.8
Smartmatic. Okay, so wala
50:14.2
ng Smartmatic. Itong
50:16.2
I-1 Resources Inc.
50:18.1
and Ardent, are these Filipino
50:20.1
companies? Yes, Ma'am. And
50:22.0
for your information, we
50:28.4
of the transmission and the software
50:30.3
and the hardware. Yung machines
50:32.2
separate po yun. Mayroon system ang nanalo doon.
50:34.5
Ito pong transmission separated po,
50:36.2
in-unbundle natin. Before, in previous
50:38.2
elections since 2010, we always
50:40.3
bundled the transmission and
50:42.3
the hardware and the software. Ngayon po,
50:44.4
the strategy is, number one,
50:46.2
we will lease the machines. Number two,
50:50.0
the transmission with the
50:52.3
machines. Oo. Okay.
50:54.6
And I think, I'd like
50:56.1
to add, no? I mean, the fact that
50:58.1
there are two Filipino companies, that says
51:00.0
something. Because I remember in the
51:02.2
past, Mr. Gaslagman, and
51:05.3
discussions we've had when it comes to
51:08.2
bidding for the elections, they've
51:10.1
always advocated for the Comelec in
51:12.1
the past to give a chance to
51:14.1
Filipino companies. Yes,
51:16.3
Ma'am. That's our, yung
51:18.1
leaning natin ngayon po. Hopefully, nga po,
51:20.1
in the near future, there will be Filipino
51:22.2
companies who can manufacture and produce
51:24.1
machines that can be used for purposes of
51:26.1
the election because of our experiences.
51:28.2
Unfortunately, until today,
51:30.6
wala po kasi. And so,
51:32.2
settled tayo sa foreign company
51:34.2
and magkakaroon lang sila ng joint venture
51:36.3
sa Filipino companies, but
51:37.8
Filipino companies will be only for
51:41.5
yung logistics, but not the technical
51:44.0
aspect. Oo. Yung technical
51:46.0
aspect nito ng I want and
51:48.0
ardent, I'm curious, where is it coming
51:52.1
technology nila is from Germany
51:53.8
and other foreign countries, but
51:56.0
I would like to guarantee to everyone,
51:58.3
especially the operation of the so-called
51:59.9
Telco Exchange, where the results will be
52:02.2
it will be purely the
52:03.9
people that will be managing. We'll just
52:06.3
be renting the system or the machines
52:08.0
and the equipments, but the people
52:10.1
will be the one to manage the entire
52:12.2
process. We do not want to repeat
52:14.2
a repeat of what happened before.
52:15.8
Na yung nag-explain, nagpapaliwanag,
52:17.9
nagde-demo, sumasagot, ay hindi
52:19.8
mga taga-commelec.
52:21.7
It will always be the commelec people
52:23.7
that will be answering queries, especially
52:25.8
on technical matters. Okay, very
52:27.8
good. Now, very quickly,
52:29.7
let's talk about OFWs, our
52:32.2
overseas Filipino workers.
52:35.5
you are hoping this 2025
52:37.9
ba ito that they can do it online
52:40.3
via internet, this is
52:42.1
correct? Yes, ma'am. For the first time, we're
52:44.0
going to conduct internet voting to
52:46.0
our overseas Filipinos. We're hoping to
52:47.8
increase the number of registered voters.
52:50.0
Unfortunately, ang baba po kasi.
52:52.0
Ang baba rin ang voters
52:53.7
turned out 40.59%
52:56.0
during the 2022 elections.
52:57.8
So, for the first time, we're going to conduct internet
53:00.1
voting. They can vote using their cellphones,
53:02.2
and laptops. Is that safe?
53:04.4
But is that safe? Yes, ma'am.
53:06.1
That's the number one priority. We have to ensure
53:08.0
the security of the
53:09.9
results, meaning to say, yan po yung
53:12.2
tinitingnan na. But remember, ma'am, tayo
53:14.0
nga po ngayon, meron tayong
53:16.4
internet banking, meron po tayong payment
53:18.1
using the internet, yung
53:19.9
mga utilities natin.
53:22.7
Doon po, bago sila makaboto,
53:24.8
we will make it a point and we will
53:26.3
ensure na yung biometrics will be taken.
53:28.7
The facial recognition, iris,
53:30.4
the fingerprints, so that
53:32.0
before they can vote, naka-enroll
53:34.2
lahat yun, and then garantisado
53:36.2
na sila yung makakaboto.
53:37.8
Okay. But right now, there are over 100,000
53:40.6
Filipinos overseas
53:41.9
that have registered.
53:44.0
I mean, that's great, but it seems to be a
53:46.0
very small number, right?
53:48.3
Considering how many
53:52.1
who voted last year?
53:54.0
Like 2 million? Yes, ma'am. It's really
53:56.0
unfortunate. During the last election, we have
53:57.6
1.697 million registered
54:00.2
voters abroad. And,
54:02.0
sa 1.697 million, ma'am Karen,
54:03.9
40.59% voted the highest
54:06.4
in the history of overseas voting
54:08.1
and that's only about 600,000.
54:10.3
Simply because we only have two modes
54:11.9
in the 2022 elections.
54:14.1
Meron po tayo in-person going to the embassies
54:16.2
or consulate, number two, by mail.
54:18.5
Unfortunately, kahit libre na yung
54:20.0
postage, hindi pa rin po binabalik
54:21.6
yung mga balota. And so,
54:24.0
kaya po itong option natin na internet voting
54:25.9
hanggang September 30, baka sakaling
54:27.7
tataas pa yung bilang ng mga registered
54:29.8
voters natin. And, that will ensure
54:32.0
a higher voters turnout also.
54:34.7
On that note, I want to
54:36.0
thank you for joining me today, but please
54:37.9
come back on KEDSTART.
54:39.6
Kamalek Chairman George Garcia. Thank you, sir.
54:42.6
Thank you very much indeed, ma'am.
54:44.3
Alright, that's it. Start today,
54:46.1
everybody. I'm Karen Davila.
54:48.0
Thank you for watching. You can play back
54:50.1
this episode on the ANC
54:52.0
YouTube channel. Stay informed
54:54.1
and stay with ANC.
55:02.0
Thank you for watching.
