Dumagan during the recent regular session of the 20th Davao City Council said once the area is under SPZ, there should be no human activity and structures to be built, except for scientific research and rituals of indigenous peoples.
Dumagan was invited by the committee on environment and natural resources chaired by First District Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo to shed light on the concerns raised by the latter on the controversial trekking site in said barangay.
This came after the entry of some trekkers/hikers on October 13 at the trekking site in Tagurano battlefield without proper communication. Councilor Bernard Al-ag was among the trekkers.
According to Dumagan, about 18.8 hectares in Barangay Tagurano falls within SPZ and has no area designated as a Multiple Use Zone (MUZ).
This is the basis for the issuance of a cease and desist order (CDO) of the DENR-Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) in May 7, 2024 against the nine establishments and barring trekkers from entering the area.
She said the protected area is divided into two management zones, the SPZ which is generally close to any human activity, except for scientific research and rituals of indigenous peoples, and the MUZ are portions where settlement, agriculture, agroforestry, and ecotourism, and sustainable livelihood are allowed.
She said in the Davao City side ninety percent of the MANP is under SPZ, with only a small portion identified as multiple-use zones.
She said out of seven official trails to Mt. Apo, the Davao City trail in Barangay Tamayong traversing the Talomo Mountain Range has been closed indefinitely to trekkers.
On the plan of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao City to explore the possibility of promoting eco-tourism in said barangay, Dumagan said the proposal will be submitted to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for consideration.
“This proposal will only be possible if the specific trail intended for eco-tourism is reclassified from SPZ to MUZ. Any modification of the management zone shall be duly supported by a comprehensive biodiversity assessment pursuant to the BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2018-01,” she said.
This is also the direction reached during the Davao City Sub-PAMB’s regular meeting on October 16, 2024,” she said.
Dumagan further said that once the reclassification of the proposed trail is approved, areas immediately bordering the trail must remain as SPZ.
Pending approval of this application, the trekking site in Tagurano shall remain closed and the business establishments cease their unlawful operation.
On October 21 regular session Ocampo said Al-ag violated the Watershed Code of Davao, City Ordinance No. 0675-21, Series of 2021 or An Ordinance Regulating Recreational Activities Within Watershed Conservation Areas of Davao City for the Protection, Conservation, Preservation of the Natural Environment; and the new CLUP, on top of the CDO.
Meanwhile, Al-ag clarified that he was there in the area to conduct consultation to those business owners that were ordered to cease operation and not for leisure.
Dumagan, meanwhile, said that the agency is currently on their case build-up for those illegal establishments including those trekkers who violated the law.
“We encourage self demolition otherwise we shall be filing cases in court. Based on the law only cultural activities by the Indigenous Peoples and scientific research activities are allowed. Trekking is not allowed,” she said.
DENR 11 REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ATTORNEY MARIA MERCEDES DUMAGAN
Councilor Tek Ocampo