BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) will put a close watch on the hazard-prone areas in barangay Runruno in Quezon town to stop the continuing influx of illegal settlers.
Engineer Mario Ancheta, MGB regional director said a continuing negotiation between the FCF Minerals Corporation and the local government unit is still in place to settle the proper claims of the illegal setllers within the landslide-prone areas which are covered by the mining firm's Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA).
"We are doing this for humanitarian purposes but they should move out from the hazard-prone areas because we do not want a repeat of the landslide incident last year which claimed lives of 9 illegal settlers," he said.
Ancheta also said they have reiterated to the local government unit officials their concern on the presence of flood and landslide-prone areas in their jurisdictions and role in relocating and preventing illegal settlers to enter and live in these hazard-prone areas.
He said they have also filed several legal cases against the illegal settlers in barangay Runruno due to their persistent defiance of their order to vacate and leave the hazard-prone areas.
"We are now coordinating with law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the law against illegal settlers because we want a zero-casualty record in the wake of the rainy season and impending typhoons that may trigger flash floods and landslides," Ancheta said.
DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the multi-sectoral disaster risk reduction efforts in barangay Runruno in Quezon town is one of the priorities of the Build Back Better Program of the national government through the DENR.
"Our illegal settlers are not only being relocated but they are also provided with decent living environment. They should not be allowed to go back to the hazard-prone areas," she said.
She said a resettlement area is being built by the LGU of Quezon in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA). (MDCT/BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)
