MILF: Inclusion of Lake Lanao to National Integrated Protected Area System opposed

Posted to the MILF Website (Jan 25): Inclusion of Lake Lanao to National Integrated Protected Area System opposed

A public hearing was conducted last January 16 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 (DENR-10) at the Provincial Capitol, Marawi City for the inclusion of Lake Lanao as a protected watershed area under the National Integrated Protected Area System Act (NIPAS Act) or otherwise known as Republic Act 7586 was opposed. Affirmation by a majority of the stakeholders present will pave the way for the inclusion of Lake Lanao under the control and supervision of the national government.

Speaking in behalf of MILF 2nd Vice Chairman Alim Ali Solaiman and as chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bangsamoro Development Agency, Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan expressed strong opposition to this measure on the basis that it will pre-empt any arrangement that will be agreed upon by the peace negotiating panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation which are currently discussing the Annexes of power sharing and wealth sharing of the recently signed Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

 He said that Lake Lanao and Agus River issue is an integral part of the on-going negotiations on power and wealth sharing that must not be decided upon unilaterally by any party.

“We are earnestly asking H.E. President Simeon Benigno C. Aquino, III to stop the move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to include Lake Lanao under the NIPAS Act in deference to the finalization of the discussion of the GPH-MILF peace panels on power and wealth sharing issues in order to preserve the gains of the peace process,” he further said.

Report said that more than 99% of the stakeholders who presented their views and positions were in accord with the position of the MILF.

Notable among them were Board Member Ansary Maongco who represented the provincial government of Lanao del del Sur, Pipalawan Naga of Save Lake Lanao Movement (SALLAM), Commissioner Bai Omera D. Lucman of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Judge Abuali Cali of the Ulama League of the Philippines, Atty. Padoman Paporo of the Philippine Muslim Women Council, Datu Musa Sultan of the Saksi Islamic Radio Forum representing the NGO’s, Dr. Bashary Latiph of the PMA-Lanao del Sur Medical Society, local media representatives, women and youth sector representatives, and many more. Only two among the hundreds of participants expressed an affirmative view.

Regional Executive Director Ruth Tawantawan of DENR-10 assured the participants that the reason why she personally came to Marawi City is to hear for herself the real sentiment of the Meranaos and that the result of the public hearing will be conveyed to Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Manila.
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