“Paraiso ng Kalikasan” pushed

GOVERNMENT CENTER, Pilar, Bataan – A private investor assured Thursday that the conversion of the 218 hectares forested areas called Roosevelt Protected Landscape into “Paraiso ng Kalikasan” in barangay Roosevelt will now be pushed through, saying three large swimming pools had already been constructed in the area.

Dr. Renato Legaspi and his son Engr. John Legaspi, President and Chief operating officer, respectively, of the Green Asia Construction and Development Corp., discussed Thursday with Raul H. Mamac, Head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the immediate development of the area into an Integrated Ecotourism Development.

“The Roosevelt Park in Northern Bataan will be developed into a highly-viable economic area once the Eco-tourism project pushed through, and we are now bent on pushing it,” Dr. Legaspi said.

Based on the Memorandum of Agreement entered into between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Region 3) office through the Protected Area Management Board-Roosevelt Protected Landscape (PAMB-RPLS) and the Green Asia Construction and Development Corp., the 218 hectares in barangay Roosevelt will be developed by the private investor in order to “provide the public better and ecologically aesthetic recreational, educational and tourism- related facilities.”

Legaspi added that their company had in fact employed forest guards to secure the forested area and protect it from illegal settlers and illegal loggers.

Legaspi said the new investment here will not only provide employment to the people here and additional income to the government coffers but also protect the area from squatters known mostly as professional squatters grabbing government lots.

Mamac welcomed the project, saying the area will be protected by the Green Asia in compliance with Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as “National Integrated Protected Areas Act of 1992 that was enacted to establish the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).”

“This is good news for the people of Bataan since this will create more jobs to the people here,” pointed out Mamac, as he directed Ed Kabigting, Protected Area Superintendent (PASU), and Louie Balbalosa to survey the area and assist the Legaspis.

In the MOA, the PAMB-RPLS and Green Asia also “mutually acknowledge the vital role of Ecotourism Development in nation building and mutually recognize the authority of PAMB to decide/approve matters related to the Protected Area of Management of the Roosevelt Protected Landscape.”

Under DENR Administrative Order No. 2008-26, the PAMB shall approve policies, guidelines, plans and programs, proposals and agreements for the management and protected areas.

On the other hand, the Green Asia shall secure the 218 hectares and be responsible for its protection to prevent encroachment of other individuals into the protected area in accordance with the required Comprehensive Development and Management Plan (CDMP).