DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Demolition of various structures built and occupied by hundreds of illegal settlers in a portion of the Roosevelt Protected Landscape here started Monday with no violent opposition from the occupants, only a few of whom were seen in the area.
Assistant Sec. Regidor de Leon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Payumo led the demolition team in destroying huts and houses some made of concrete hollow blocks.
De Leon, DENR Region 3 director Ricardo Calderon and provincial environment officer Ricardo Lazaro even tried using sledge hammers and pick mattock in demolishing the structures. A team of police led by Supt. Enrico Vargas, Dinalupihan police chief, was stood watch.
Payumo said the municipal government has sent notices to the squatters and placed signboards in the area saying that squatting and construction of any buildings in the park is prohibited and punishable by law.
“Kailangang mapanumbalik ang dating Roosevelt Park na nag-iisang forested area sa Central Luzon,” the mayor said.
He said that no exemptions will be made and all illegal structures will be demolished in the area.
The illegal settlers started constructing houses and huts in about 20 hectares of the more than 200 hectare fully forested nature park early part of March this year.
De Leon said that after giving notices to the settlers, some voluntarily left but some still stayed.
“Dapat ipakita natin that we are serious sapagka’t kinakabahan kami na kung hindi paalisin ang may 400 families of squatters, mauubos ang resources dito sa park,” he said.
DENR and policemen have arrested five alleged leaders of the illegal settlers who, however, after inquest were able to post bail.
Planted in the park are various species of trees like mahogany, narra, gemelina and fruit trees like sampalok.
“Gumaganda lang ang park dahil sa mga tanim nitong malalaking punong-kahoy na mauubos kapag pinabayaan ang mga mga squatters dito,” he added.
“Kung pakikinggan kami ng gobyerno, sana mapasa-amin ang kahit kaunting lupa dito upang makapagtanim kami at magkaroon ng kabuhayan,” said a male settler who has allegedly grown-up mango trees in the park.
“Sana, bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga taong walang tirahan,” said a woman while trying to get some materials out of her demolished hut. She even showed some newly-planted mango trees, papaya and kamoteng kahoy.
“Nanawagan kami sa bagong gobyerno lalo na sa bagong Presidente na tulungan kaming mabigyan ng kaunting lupang matitirahan at mapagtatamnan,” a middle-aged man said while watching over their few belongings by the roadside.
He said that he has planted vegetables and root crops in the park.
Assistant Sec. Regidor de Leon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Payumo led the demolition team in destroying huts and houses some made of concrete hollow blocks.
De Leon, DENR Region 3 director Ricardo Calderon and provincial environment officer Ricardo Lazaro even tried using sledge hammers and pick mattock in demolishing the structures. A team of police led by Supt. Enrico Vargas, Dinalupihan police chief, was stood watch.
Payumo said the municipal government has sent notices to the squatters and placed signboards in the area saying that squatting and construction of any buildings in the park is prohibited and punishable by law.
“Kailangang mapanumbalik ang dating Roosevelt Park na nag-iisang forested area sa Central Luzon,” the mayor said.
He said that no exemptions will be made and all illegal structures will be demolished in the area.
The illegal settlers started constructing houses and huts in about 20 hectares of the more than 200 hectare fully forested nature park early part of March this year.
De Leon said that after giving notices to the settlers, some voluntarily left but some still stayed.
“Dapat ipakita natin that we are serious sapagka’t kinakabahan kami na kung hindi paalisin ang may 400 families of squatters, mauubos ang resources dito sa park,” he said.
DENR and policemen have arrested five alleged leaders of the illegal settlers who, however, after inquest were able to post bail.
Planted in the park are various species of trees like mahogany, narra, gemelina and fruit trees like sampalok.
“Gumaganda lang ang park dahil sa mga tanim nitong malalaking punong-kahoy na mauubos kapag pinabayaan ang mga mga squatters dito,” he added.
“Kung pakikinggan kami ng gobyerno, sana mapasa-amin ang kahit kaunting lupa dito upang makapagtanim kami at magkaroon ng kabuhayan,” said a male settler who has allegedly grown-up mango trees in the park.
“Sana, bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga taong walang tirahan,” said a woman while trying to get some materials out of her demolished hut. She even showed some newly-planted mango trees, papaya and kamoteng kahoy.
“Nanawagan kami sa bagong gobyerno lalo na sa bagong Presidente na tulungan kaming mabigyan ng kaunting lupang matitirahan at mapagtatamnan,” a middle-aged man said while watching over their few belongings by the roadside.
He said that he has planted vegetables and root crops in the park.
