PDC approves Chatto measure to support Cabilao, Sandingan islands growth 

A measure seeking to exclude certain portions of the islands of Sandingan and Cabilao in Loon from the coverage of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act earned the nod of the Provincial Development Council for endorsement to the Regional Development Council.

This was a development from House Bill 10429 which Cong. Edgar Chatto authored.

The measure is directed at delineating and modifying boundaries of Protected Areas and Agricultural Lands which are Alienable and Disposable.

It had been a recommendation from the draft bill of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

After undergoing the committee hearing, the proposal to amend the draft bill was discussed.

As principal author, Chatto then asked the DENR to reconvene the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and consult the public on what provisions should be included in amendments that will address the concerns of local residents.

Chatto had initiated the public consultations to make sure that the amended version will be consistent with local development plans and stakeholders concerns.

This measure, if approved, would lift the ban in the titling of lots of the islands which is greatly disadvantageous to the lot owners, prejudicial to the welfare of its constituents, and counterproductive to the economic development of the islands, Chatto had earlier explained.

Post consultations, GliceritaRacho, CENRO Tagbilaran officer, reported that 156.912 hectares is now being proposed to be included in the Cabilao-Sandingan Island Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (CSIMSFR), originally at 2,661.470 hectares.

Chatto had also filed House Bill 10428 for the same purpose but specific for Pangangan Island in Calape.

The entire islands of Sandingan and Cabilao in Loon with Panggangan in Calape were proclaimed as Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves under Proclamation 2152 in 1881. This was confirmed upon the passage of Republic Act 7586, or the NIPAS Act of 1992 and expanded through Republic Act No. 11038 or ENIPAS Act of 2018.