“Cenro intervenes IPs woes in CdeO hinterland barangay”

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

The Misamis Oriental Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Misamis Oriental-Cenro) has intervene the call of an indigenous people (IPs) in Barangay Dansolihon for the immediate cancellation of the Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) on Tuesday. CENR officer Aldrich Resma told members of the Cagayan de Press Club (COPC) that they cannot cancel their own program without any valid reason as raised by a people’s organization.

Resma said termination and cancellation of stewardship agreement and compensation can only be cancelled due to causes like the grantee fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement for one year after being notified in writing by the DENR Regional Executive Director concern. “We can also cancel grantee who will used false information to obtain this agreement; serious and continued violation of forestry laws, rules and regulations; and the public interest demands,” he said. He said initial assessment made by DENR disclosed that there was no violation made by the grantees.

“Dili nato ma-cancel tungod kay wala man kita’y lig-on nga rason kalabot niini nga petition. There is no violation made with the two groups, Nahilaran and Monigue,” he claimed.On February, the clan of Barangay Kagawad Ruben Hagonao has filed a joint petition for the cancellation of CBFM agreements issued to Nahilaran Community Forest Development Association, Inc. (NCFDAI) and Monigue Community Forest Development Association (MCFDAI) which was reportedly managed by Mr. Fernando Roa Balbon not to allow the possible plantation of forest and fruit products in the area.

Hagonao claimed that this area covered by the two people’s organization would probably destroys the remaining forest and water basin located at the hinterland barangays of Cagayan de Oro.“Ilang mahilabtan ang sagrado nga lugar kanamong mga IPs. Dili namo gusto nga yagayagaan ang mga bukid tungod kay yuta pa man kini nga among kabilin,” he said during the dialogue. He admitted that he already lost and confidence with the DENR of resolving their claims.

Resma assured Hagonao and other members of the community that they would delighted because of some concerned raised by the group which would cater personally by Cenro office.“We will conduct actual ground survey to resolved the issue raised by Hagonao. Basta mo-cooperate lang sila apan kung dili sila mo-cooperate walay mahitabo sa ilang problema,” he added.
Mr. Don Balbon who represented the Roa’s during the dialogue said they will cooperate with the government agencies to locate all boundaries through re-surveying the area.

“Undang nata anang mga hulga-hulga kay binata kana nga istorya. We will resolve the issue jointly. Dili kami gusto og gubot. We are here to manage the land not to own it,” he said.