TREK. 4X4 jeep negotiates bend in the Sacobia riverbed. PHOTO COURTESY OF RIC GONZALES
PORAC, Pampanga – The plan of two private groups in “setting up regulations” on the Sacobia riverbed leading to the Puning hot springs here will not be allowed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
This developed after the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Pamcham) and the Korean managers of Puning Hot Springs Resort agreed in setting up regulations along the route after the former settled its initial disagreement with the latter.
District Engineer Enrico S. Guilas, DPWH’s Pampanga 1st District Engineering Offi ce, said under the law, only his department has jurisdiction over the area. Guilas said he will immediately inform DPWH regional director Antonio V. Molano on the plan as he assured that steps will be taken to correct the illegal activity.
Geologist Nixon Dalapuz of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 3 said the riverbed will only fall within their jurisdiction if there is quarrying in the area. He said the provincial Capitol will also have jurisdiction if there is quarrying in the area.
Earlier, the Capitol, based on published reports, issued “a legal opinion that the dried-up portion of the Sacobia
riverbed is the property of the public domain, which can only be regulated by the State and not by any private entity.”
The same media story reported Pamcham Vice Chairman Rene Romero as having said that “they understand the investments of the Koreans in the Puning Hot Springs Resort in maintaining the route.”
Romero added that “they are now coordinating with the resort facility in setting up regulation and have settled initial disagreements with the Korean facility.”
Romero said this was the result of his talks with the management of the facility during a visit with off-roaders numbering 80 people in 20 vehicles. Romero even said: “The management of Puning Hot Springs Resort has accommodated us very well.
We thank them for their generous hospitality. During our discussions we have seen the reasons behind their restrictions. We have agreed that they set up regulations for a better and friendlier access to the Sacobia route.”
As this developed, a group of Aeta tribesmen in the area deplored what they claimed to be “infringement of their ancestral domain.” “Pati ba naman daanan namin sa aming sariling pamayanan ay ididikta pa ng mga pribadong grupong ito?”
asked an Aeta elder who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal. “Ano ang kapangyarihan ang kanilang pinanghahawakan para magawa ito sa amin?
