MANKAYAN, Benguet – The Cordillera office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CAR) conducted Talakayan sa Paaralan among school heads of Mankayan District, representatives from the parents-teachers associations (PTAs), and barangay and municipal governments at Mankayan National High School on Aug 20.
The team presented the topics on Republic Act 10023, Republic Act 9003, RA 9152 and Geo-Hazard Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining, with Myrna U. Antonio, the leader of the team, discussing land titling with her presentation of Republic Act 10023 “An Act Authorizing the Issuance of Free Patents to Residential Lands”.
Moreover, she gave emphasis on DENR Administrative Order No. 2015-01, the subject of which is the Guidelines for the Processing and Issuance of Special patents for Public School Sites. Special Patent as defined is a public instrument issued by the government confirming the grant by the State of the ownership over a parcel of agricultural land (alienable and disposable) in favor of a grantee. Further, she discussed the scope and coverage, who can file requests, what to file and the process flow of land titling.
The information shared gave guidance to school heads on how to apply for tilting of the school sites, especially that only very few were able to be granted with a title. Hon. Hector Gacita, the Chairman on Committee on Education of the municipal council made a commitment on behalf of Hon. Alexander Dapiawen, the Chairman on the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to support the district in the coordination and facilitation of the application for school site titling.
On the other hand, Marlon Dayaoen enlightened everyone on Republic Act (RA) 9003, stating that “It is everyone’s responsibility to be part of the solution to the problem on wastes”. He also encouraged the establishment of a material recovery facility (MRF) in every barangay as embodied in Section 32 of the said law. He enjoined everyone, saying, “If everybody cares, helps and acts, then we will enjoy a new, green, and empowered humankind. What we need is CHANGE – in mind, in action and in attitude.”
Meanwhile, “Leveling up our actions and attitudes and changing one’s perspective will bring us to a livable environment”, said Mary Claire Luminang. “Small stuff matters, being sustainable is a journey and we cannot do it at once, it is done bit by bit. We should be wise in our actions and in our decisions. We buy less and we choose well, we consume less and create more. If we want a sustainable environment then according to her we should refuse single use.”
According to Sheila Sanqui, “When we care for our environment then we must also include looking at the different activities of man. Mining is life, however, people should be responsible because mining is temporary,” as she presented the topic on geo-hazard, groundwater assessment and responsible mining. “Reforestation, progressive rehabilitation must be monitored by stakeholders,” she added. By Rosita B. Briones
