DAVAO CITY -- The members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. will not be removed from their positions while the government agencies are still conducting investigation on their alleged violation in the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA). During the budget hearing this morning, Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga explained that the members of the SBSI have no shelter, due to the government's sudden cancellation of the 353-hectare protected area in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. PACBRMA is an agreement entered into by and between the DENR and organized tenured migrant communities or interested indigenous people in protected areas and buffer zones, which has a term of 25 years and renewable for another 25 years. In a statement released last Friday, the DENR clarified "The DENR will work with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and other authorities to ensure the smooth and peaceful enforcement of the suspension notice; and the possible resettlement of the occupants." According to DENR, SBSI was awarded a PACBRMA in 2004, which covers 353 hectares of land located in the northeast part of Barangay Sering, overlooking the northeast portion of Bucas Grande Island. The DENR admitted that as early as 2019, they have already flagged SBSI over its alleged violations of the PACBRMA, including restricting entry in the area, establishment of checkpoints and military-like training, establishment of structures within the PACBRMA area, as well as the resignation of teachers, uniformed personnel and barangay officials. According to Secretary Loyzaga, the DENR canceled the agreement between SBSI because it violated many provisions of what they signed (PACBRMA). Last night the DENR handed over the paper canceling their agreement. Loyzaga revealed that the have coordinated with DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Justice Secretary Remulla, and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for a joint investigation of the aforementioned problem in Socorro. The DENR has suspended the agreement on the land occupied by the Socorro Bayanihan group in Sitio Kapihan. According to Loyzaga, they will discuss in their speech the work of 3,000 members of SBSI. Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the DENR why they took a long time to act on the problem in Socorro when SBSI violated the environmental law. "If the regional office takes action to the right degree and is more timely, maybe the situation there would not be so bad. There were humanitarian problems there, especially with children," said Hontiveros. However, DENR Region 13 Director Nonito Tamayo defended himself, explaining that his office extended the suspension in 2019 due to the pandemic and the tragedy of typhoon Odette and the earthquake. The violations pointed out by the DENR are Bayanihan's setting up a checkpoint in the protected area, conducting training of civilians as if they were soldiers and prohibiting the entry of people into the area. Earleri on, Hontiveros alleged that the SBSI is engaged in activities related to "Cultish practices and preachings". SBSI is led Jey Rence Quilario whom members called Senior Agila. -Editha Z. Caduaya
