Road project cuts through El Nido mangrove forest

A group of environmentalists is protesting a road project in El Nido, Palawan that cuts through a mangrove forest within a protected area essential for biodiversity conservation.

"The resources there are important for the next generation so it's a no-touch zone. Why was a road allowed to go through a mangrove area and carve out a forest?" Atty. Robert Chan of the Palawan NGO Network said.

The group provided photos showing a road cutting through a portion of a forest in Barangay Corong-Corong, as well as the barbed wire and posts surrounding the construction site. 

According to Chino Gaston's report for 24 Oras on Friday, the group has filed a complaint before the Palawan Sustainable Development Council against the ongoing road project.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the project was started in 2016.

Records show that while a permit Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) has been secured, the group has yet to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate or a Memorandum of Understanding with the DENR.

GMA News has reached out to the El Nido local government as of posting time.

For its part, the Community Environment and National Resources Office (CENRO) said it has asked local officials to explain why the project was given the greenlight.

"Confirmed na meron talagang ginagawa kalsada doon," CENRO Taytay officer Allan Valle said.

"Yung area kasi, within protected areas then yung kanyang land classification ay timberland. Dapat meron talagang agreement between the local government saka 'yung DENR," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News