MARAWI CITY — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – Land Management Services (LMS), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 10, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 held a discussion on 9 October 2021 about the soon-to-be-conducted survey activities in Camp Amai Pakpak in adherence to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte stated in Executive Order No. 75 s. 2019.
EO 75 s. 2019 directs all concerned government departments, bureaus, and offices to identify government-owned lands (GOLs) devoted to or suitable for agriculture for distribution to qualified beneficiaries. This includes the 6,667-hectare idle GOLs in Camp Amai Pakpak in Marawi City, Saguiaran, Piagapo, and Marantao, which include areas in Mindanao State University, National Power Corporation, and the Provincial Capitol of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur. This portion is being administered by the Department of National Defense (DND), which is reserved for military purposes as stipulated in Presidential Proclamation No. 453 s. 1953.
In the eventual distribution of the said GOLs to qualified farmer-beneficiaries, the DAR 10 shall allocate the 6-million budget based on the Work and Financial Plan for the survey activities recommended by DENR 12. DAR shall also undertake physical inspection of survey work outputs and lead in assessment and evaluation meetings.
The DENR 12, having the expertise, equipment, and technology, shall provide the technical support necessary to execute land surveys such as perimeter, segregation, and delineation, including other survey plan preparations.
Moreover, the MENRE shall front the conduct of regular coordination meetings with stakeholders during the project implementation, assist in the conduct of mediation and conciliation conferences between parties should conflicts develop, coordinate with proper authorities for peace and order control, and lastly, carry out the Inspection, Verification and Approval of Survey returns (IVAS). The Provincial ENRE Office of Lanao del Sur will also provide additional support in the coordination and mediation among stakeholders in the involved communities.
Engr. Salipada H. Quituar, Jr. and Engr. Bolkiah A. Mamadsual of the Regional Surveys Division and Community Environment, Natural Resources and Energy Office (CENREO) – Lanao del Sur officials CENRE Officer Asnawi A. Dataman, CENRE Officer Benjamin D. Alangca, Foresters Macapagal M. Datu-dacula, Ma’rof A. Noor, and Noaim A. Ibrahim represented the MENRE in the meeting with DAR 10 and DENR 12, discussing the parties’ strategic action plan and deliberating technical issues and concerns.
They further explored and crafted solutions for contingencies and possible challenges during the actual survey. The group then preceded to the ground to attain the accurate coordinate locations of the two identified control points within the target area of interest, particularly the LAS MAA-1 and LAS MAA-2.
With the collaborative efforts of MENRE, DAR 10, and DENR 12, the Ministry is assured that the project will be completed within the expected period, aiding in the fulfillment of President Duterte’s EO 75 s. 2019.
