A group of jet skiers from Iloilo is in hot water for allegedly defying warnings not to enter a marine protected area in El Nido, Palawan.
The El Nido Taytay-Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA) recommended the filing of charges against members of the Iloilo Watercraft Association (IWA).
The recommendation was presented by ENTMRPA during an inquiry conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environmental Protection on Tuesday, June 27.
Protected Area Superintendent Mildred Suza said that 14 IWA members jetskied in the protected area from June 6 to 9 this year.
The 14 jet skiers purportedly violated Sec. 20(g) of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018 and several other laws.
They are also accused of violating provisions of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) resolution prohibiting jet skis and other motorized sports equipment inside the protected area and the Tourism Code of El Nido.
“After the first sighting of a jet ski on June 6, immediately, I instructed our Assistant Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) to investigate the origin and identification of persons or group responsible and submit a spot report for the information of our DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) higher office,” Suza narrated.
“The group was told that jet skiing is prohibited inside the protected area and they were advised to immediately coordinate with PAMO (Protected Area Management Office) but the message was ignored.”
On June 7, Assistant PASu Jennel Casel met the group of jet skiers and told them once again that jetskiing is not allowed inside the protected area.
The jet skiers claimed that they coordinated with the local government of El Nido, the police, and the coast guard, but these agencies have denied any such coordination.
Of the 14 jet skiers, only Vincent Tajanlangit, Jerry Collado, Benjie Bastian, Dean Sanson, Julian Juan Tong, Ian Golez and Paul Tinsay were positively identified by environmental agents.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Board Member Ryan Maminta, chairperson of the committee on environmental protection, said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will wait for the final recommendation and action of the PAMB before they take further action on the matter.
According to him, concerned government agencies, particularly law enforcement personnel, will be summoned to another meeting.
“We will also come up with a recommendation as to the legislative actions to be taken. One thing mentioned is to allow regulated activities and areas that can be allowed,” Maminta said.IMT
