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ILOILO CITY: The sugar heritage trail in Panay and Negros Islands is now on the tentative list of the World Heritage List following its nomination by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Philippines.

Entitled ‘The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Islands’ was submitted under the cultural category with seven areas and properties as components, including the Calle Real in Iloilo City; and the historic center of Silay City, Hawaiian-Philippine Company, Victorias Milling Company, Hacienda Santa Rosalia, Balay ni Tana Dicang, and Aniceto Lacson Mansion, all in Negros.

‘The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Island showcases the legacy of the sugar industry brought by the industrialization of sugar production in the late 18th century, such as mills, factories, plantations, buildings, and mansions that reflect the social and economic dynamics of the late Spanish-colonial and American-colonial eras,’ said the narrative posted in the UNESCO World Heritag
e Convention website.

Calle Real is a heritage zone designated by the Iloilo City government and declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a district and heritage zone.

The Historic Center of Silay City, with its collection of preserved heritage houses, is part of the Silay National Historical Landmark as declared by the NHCP.

Other parts of the trail are privately owned, consisting of two operating sugar centrals, one as a private home, a museum, and one for reuse by the National Museum of the Philippines.

The entry is now on the tentative list, which needs to submit substantive documents to prove that it is of “outstanding universal value” before the Sept. 14, 2024 deliberation.

‘I am very happy. We might be the first city with a Calle Real identified in the UNESCO World Heritage List,’ said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in a statement.

The Department of Tourism Western Visayas in 2023 commissioned a study to explore the possibility of establishing a Western Visayas Sugar Her
itage Trail to better understand the industrial heritage and identify the opportunity for sugar heritage tourism products in the region.

Initially, the study identified 127 trails or remnants and landmarks of the industry; 87 are in Negros Occidental, 25 in Iloilo, five in Guimaras, seven in Capiz, and three in Antique.

The Miagao Church in Miagao, Iloilo, built by Spanish Augustinian missionaries in 1786, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Baroque Churches of the Philippines.’

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the release of 97 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who have served at least four decades behind bars, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday.

The release of these inmates, who were granted good conduct time allowance (GCTA), were approved by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla upon the recommendation of BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the bureau said in a news release.

Out of this figure, 47 are from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, 23 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 12 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, six from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, five from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, and four from Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

The PDLs were sentenced to at least one count of either reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, and whose time served with time allowances have exceeded their minimum sentence, computed based on the old provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC)
on time allowances.

As part of efforts to decongest prison facilities and to hasten the release of those qualified PDLs, the DOJ and the BuCor have adopted Department Order 652 that revises the rules and procedure in the release of PDLs with expired sentences as follows:

–The release of all PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the Director General of the BuCor or his duly authorized representative, in accordance with the mandate of the bureau to exercise authority/jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the operations of the prisons;

–The release of PDLs sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high-risk/high-profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the Secretary of Justice.

–The Director General of the BuCor will submit the necessary documents for the evaluation and approval of the Secretary of Justice not later than three months prior to the expected date of release of the PDLs concerned.

–In case
s where the release of PDLs shall require only the approval of the Director General of the BuCor, the list of PDLs due for release shall be submitted to the Secretary of Justice at least one month prior to their expected date of release.

–In all cases, and in order to ensure that the computations made by the BuCor is accurate, particularly with respect to credit for preventive imprisonment, time allowances and other circumstances affecting the period of sentence of a PDL, the Director General of the BuCor shall issue a certification as to the correctness and accuracy of the computation of the credits granted and expiration of sentence of the prisoners affected.

Meanwhile, the bureau said three of its lawyers were promoted from corrections officers to the rank of Senior Inspector.

Catapang on Tuesday led the oath-taking and donning of ranks rites for Nancy Pun-ad, Cynthrose Casanova and Francis Jade Pajuna inside his office at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Bohol to check whether a resort built within the vicinity of the famous Chocolate Hills failed to comply with the Temporary Closure Order (TCO) issued last year.

In an official statement on Wednesday, the DENR said Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor issued a memorandum directing PENRO Bohol Ariel Rica to check if Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort located in Sagbayan, Bohol, is indeed operating.

Social media posts promoting the resort have earned negative reactions from netizens.

The DENR said it issued the Captain’s Peak Resort a TCO on Sept. 6, 2023.

A Notice of Violation was also issued to the project proponent on Jan. 22, 2024 for operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the DENR.

Any type of project created in the Philippines that may affect the environment must secure an ECC from the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau
(EMB).

The DENR said Chocolate Hills in Bohol was declared a protected area through Proclamation No. 1037 issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos on July 1, 1997.

‘This Proclamation designated the Chocolate Hills as a National Geological Monument and a Protected Landscape, recognizing the unique geological formations and the importance of covering this natural wonder for future generations,’ the DENR statement read.

‘The declaration aimed to preserve the iconic landscape of the Chocolate Hills and promote sustainable tourism while protecting the biodiversity and environmental integrity of the area,’ it added.

DENR explained that landowners’ rights and interests will generally be recognized and respected if the land was titled before its declaration as a protected area.

However, it said the declaration of an area as a protected area may impose certain restrictions and regulations as to how the land may be used and developed within the protected area, even for privately owned lands.

These restrictions and
regulations, it added, are to be detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement before the issuance of an ECC for the project.

Dismayed

Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the Committee on Tourism, expressed dismay over a structure built within the protected areas of Chocolate Hills, asking concerned government agencies and local government units to explain why permits were granted and the resort was allowed to operate.

“Kung ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may tungkulin at responsibilidad na pangalagaan ang Chocolate Hills ay may pro-environment mindset, ang tanong po natin, bakit nakapagtayo ng resort at mayroon pang (If the government agencies, which has the mandate and responsibility to take good care of the Chocolate Hills, has a pro-environment mindset, our question is how come a resort was built and there are also) cottages and swimming pool,” Binay said in a statement Wednesday.

Binay said she received a report that the Protected Area Management Board approved the proposal and issued a resolution “favora
bly endorsing” the development of Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort in 2022 and 2023.

“We understand the importance of development, but there should be boundaries. If the Department of Environment and Natural Resources continues to issue Environmental Compliance Certificate in the guise of ‘tourism development’, I believe they have misunderstood what ecotourism is all about, and they have become complicit in defacing a natural monument they’re supposed to oppose,” she said.

Bohol Island was made part of the 195 global geoparks across 48 countries by UNESCO through a resolution adopted in a conference in Paris on May 24, 2023

Binay filed Senate Resolution No. 967 seeking to investigate the matter in aid of legislation with the goal of preserving Bohol’s protected area and major tourist attraction.

Demolition

At the House of Representatives, Bohol Rep. Alexie Tutor called for the demolition of the Captain’s Peak Resort.

“That Captain’s Peak Resort should not have been allowed to be built there in the first
place. It should be demolished and the construction site should be restored, with costs borne by the owners of that resort. But before these can happen, we have to follow due process,” Tutor said in a statement.

Tutor said she supports the call of Bohol Province Board Member Atty. Jamie Aumentado Villamor, who is also chairperson of the Provincial Board Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Protection, to stop the construction of structures within the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills to help protect the province’s major tourist attraction.

“I agree with the Committee’s findings and course of action. The Committee is correct in seeking the intervention of the Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga,” Tutor said.

She expressed hope that Yulo-Loyzaga will hold in abeyance the decision on the operation of Captain’s Peak Resort.

“There is a process. I will first trust the administrative process and exhaust all administrative remedies. If the administrative process does not work, those with pro
per legal standing can go to court to stop the Captain’s Peak Resort and also hold liable the government officials who permitted the construction and operation of that eyesore of a resort for their wrong actions on this matter,” she said.

Not DOT-accredited

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said developments inconsistent to Bohol’s UNESCO designation as a Global Geopark must be ‘disallowed’ as it backed the temporary closure of a resort built too close to the Chocolate Hills.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOT clarified that the resort was never a DOT-accredited tourism establishment as the agency itself raised its concerns regarding the development as early as August 2023.

‘The Department of Tourism supports the preservation and protection of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, located within a declared UNESCO Global Geopark and a source of national pride for the Philippines,’ it said.

‘[The DOT] agrees with the Bohol Provincial Government’s position that development within the Chocolate Hills area are (sic) not c
onsistent with its long-term sustainability, and should be disallowed,’ it added.

The DOT underscored that while development is essential for growth and progress, ‘it must be conducted in harmony with environmental and cultural preservation’.

‘We urge all parties involved, including government agencies, private sector entities, and local communities, to work together towards sustainable and responsible tourism practices that uphold the integrity of our natural heritage,’ it said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday announced that it has deployed a Cessna LC-210 “Centurion” aircraft for cloud seeding operations to help contain the ongoing forest fires in the province of Benguet.

In a statement, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the aircraft from the 900th Air Force Weather Group has so far dispensed 1,200 kg. of salt in the ongoing cloud seeding operations since March 2.

The LC-210 can only be flown by a single pilot but can carry five passengers while reaching a maximum speed of 204 knots (235 miles per hour or 378 kilometers per hour) at a height of 17,000 ft (5,200 m).

These 1,200 kilograms of salt, contained in 48 sacks, were seeded all over Benguet.

“This ongoing cloud seeding operation aims to assist in containing the forest fire in the province, complementing the heli-bucket operations of the 505th Search and Rescue Group,” Castillo noted.

She said Tactical Operations Group 1 under the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon has been coordinat
ing with local government agencies to address these forest fires.

“The PAF remains committed to supporting firefighting efforts in Benguet.

‘Cloud seeding operations will continue alongside the 505th Search and Rescue Group’s vital work to extinguish the blaze and protect the region’s natural resources,” Castillo noted.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BACOLOD CITY: Water sports enthusiasts are set to gather for the first Bacolod Watersports Festival 2024, a summer-long tourism event, which kicks off on March 15 at the Bacolod Baywalk Recreational Park.

Set along an 800-meter seafront at the city’s reclamation area, the festival will feature various water adventure activities for 24 days until April 28.

Among these are bancarera (boat race), beach volleyball, boat tug-of-war, paddling, banana boat race, kayaking, running man/bamboo drifting, swimming marathon and game fishing.

Ma. Kristina Alagaban, overall head of Bacolod Watersports Festival 2024 organized by the homegrown Almana Group, said on Wednesday they expect participants from other parts of the country to come to the festival.

‘We have invited a lot of guests from other cities and provinces. Events like this steer economic and tourism development. This is the company’s way of contributing to the thrust of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to make Bacolod a super city,’ she said.

Teams that have
arrived for the maiden bancarera event on March 16 and 17 are teams from Siargao, Banate, Bohol, Boracay, Capiz and Cebu, and even from Malaysia.

Alagaban said the organizing committees are coordinating with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, Bacolod City Police Office and other concerned agencies for the safe and secure staging of the festival.

On April 28, the closing and awarding ceremony will be capped by the ‘Coachella By The Bay’ and a fireworks display.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ILOILO CITY: The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iloilo is looking for alternative sources amid the scarcity of water supply due to the El Niño phenomenon.

Senior Fire Officer 3 (SFO3) Romelo Aguilar, acting municipal fire marshal of the Zarraga Fire Station, said Tuesday they need to immediately identify possible sources so as not to jeopardize their operations, especially during fire incidents.

‘Not only do we lack utility waters but also the sources of water supply in cases of fire incidents,’ Aguilar said during the emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) at the Casa Real on Tuesday afternoon.

He said the main water source during fire incidents is the fire hydrant, with a capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute.

‘In Iloilo, we don’t have that kind of hydrant,’ he added.

The area with the utmost concern is the fifth district of Iloilo province because it has no water source and mostly relies on water drilling.

‘Even our mainstream natural sources ar
e also depleting so we focus on finding alternative sources because our main tool in firefighting is water, especially grass fire,’ Aguilar said.

He said they will coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and water districts to help them with the concern.

Iloilo Board Member Rolando Distura said he already brought up these issues to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

He said the BFP has informed him that only 80 of their 91 firetrucks are serviceable, aside from the problem of lack of enough water sources.

‘We have a resolution that we request water districts to improve their water sources for fire hydrants. As disaster managers, we have to look beyond the box, beyond the capacity and capability of our agencies and resources at hand,’ he added.

Source: Philippines News Agency