TOLEDO CITY, Cebu — In line with the recent establishment of four Site Management Units (SMUs) in the region, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with local officials whose jurisdictions are under the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), is strengthening review and deliberation of all project applications what would create an impact in the area.

The TSPS is a body of seawater lying between the provinces of Cebu, and Negros Oriental and (the northern) part of Negros Occidental.

“We want to stress that the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development in protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life support systems should always be a paramount concern and does not recognize political boundaries,” underlined DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso.

To recall, the TSPS’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) became controversial after the Save Tañon Strait Citizens' Movement (STSCM) Peace Room of Empowered Citizens filed a resolution for the dissolution of the PAMB after the latter was alleged to have failed in securing the protected area by allowing the Japan Petroleum Exploration Company Limited (JAPEX) to drill oil in the area.

The STSCM, comprised of various fisherfolk organizations and other concerned citizens believed that oil drilling at the TSPS caused the displacement of small fishermen from their fishing ground.

However, Dichoso stressed that the recent PAMB meeting had strengthened the functions of the four newly created SMUs to receive, review and deliberate project applications within the TSPS.

“As agreed during the PAMB meeting, the SMUs are now authorized to accept, review, and endorse project proposals and programs directly to the PAMB Executive Committee,” Dichoso said.

He added that the decision to absorb some of the functions and responsibilities of the proposed committees of PAMB-TSPS came out after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia had explained that these activities could be undertaken by the SMUs

as those manning them are equipped with expertise and technical capability.

Garcia indicated that no town mayor would wish to endorse a project that will harm or bring destruction to the environment.

Recently established SMUs are the Cebu SMU, Negros Oriental SMU 1, Negros Oriental SMU 2, and the Negros Occidental SMU.

The TSPS is seawater that lies between the Province of Cebu and Negros Oriental and partly Negros Occidental in the northern part.