NAGA CITY -- AFTER A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIVE VISITS at supposed completed reforestation projects of the DENR under the Bicol River Basin and Water Management Program (BRBWMP) since February this year, a Multisectoral Committee (MSC) created as a "watchdog" for the rapid appraisal of the BRBWMP reforestation projects, had expressed dismay at the inaction of the environment agency regarding findings of alleged irregularities on the multi-million reforestation program.
Naga-based businessman and chairman of the multisectoral group, Fortunato Mendoza told VOX BIKOL that these projects form part of some P 162 - Million releases since 2008, as allotment for the BRBWMP refo-component.
Mendoza said an example of what is perceived to be a highly irregular implementation of such projects was found during an on-site inspection made by the committee, with representatives from media, civic groups, NGOs and the academe together with DENR - BRBWMP officials at a refo-project at the highlands of Lupi, Tinambac, Cam. Sur last April 18, 2009.
Although refuted by the DENR regional officials, the actual field estimates and testimonies, together with the signed affidavits by members of Mt. Isarog Guardians (MIG) showed that the area of about 150 hectares claimed to be fully planted with 250,000 seedlings as reported is grossly inaccurate. It has been estimated that only 40 hectares at the most were actually planted.
Since early this year, Mendoza said there were indications that the project may also be in the same area that was already reforestated in 2001 - 2005 by CARE Philippines, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as gathered from witnesses and involved NGOs in the previous refo-projects.
Mendoza also revealed that despite the request of the multisectoral group from the DENR to provide copies of the refo-contracts with winning bidders, the latter could not furnish copies of the contracts since they were "confidential and restricted."
Due this, it has become difficult for the inspecting group to look for the areas the DENR claimed to be forested, Mendoza added.
Meanwhile, lawyer Carlo C. Villanueva, vice-chairman of the multisectoral committee, also said that the DENR is not telling the truth about the status of the projects. The DENR has ignored a request to provide the contract of the refo-program, insisting that no specific description on the projects is found therein; instead, the description details are in the work plan in detail which DENR usually prepares.
In a report submitted by the multisectoral committee to Presidential Assistant for Bicol Affairs, Tomasito Monzon, it was revealed that even most mayors were unfamiliar of the DENR project implementation under the BRBWMP in their locality.
In a site inspection last Feb. 17, 2009, Calabanga Mayor Evelyn Yu claimed she was uninformed of the Gabion Dam project in barangay Binanuanan of the said locality, while Canaman Mayor Requejo was similarly left in the dark on the works of a contractor in the installation of ECOBLOCK, in about 400-meters along the Bikol River, as anti-erosion structures.
Similarly, in Camaligan, Cam. Sur, town councilor Emmanuel Moll has investigated a similar ECOBLOCK project along the Bikol River banks in Barangay San Francisco here which allegedly costs some P 1.5 - Million.
Moreover, in July this year, Camaligan Mayor Rolando Eduardo brought to the attention of DENR Bicol director Joselin Marcus Fragada that the ECOBLOCK project had been abandoned by the contractor without being completed.
Local officials have also reported that the blocks were not properly installed since the entire length of the structures' alignment now deteriorates along the river banks. (SONNY SALES)