LUCENA CITY — The protector of Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal in Quezon and Laguna provinces on Sunday welcomed the lifting of a moratorium on the issuance of special permits to develop government-declared protected areas. “It will bring tremendous benefits to Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal. 9847, which was passed in 2009, designates Banahaw and San Cristobal as “protected areas.”ADVERTISEMENTOn Friday, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu announced that individuals, groups and companies can again apply for special use agreement of protected areas (Sapa). The DENR suspended the issuance of Sapas in 2011 because of the absence of a standard rate for the “development fee” imposed on applicants. ‘Strict protection zone’But Pangan maintained that even with the renewed issuance of the Sapa, the two mountains will continue to remain off-limits to the public.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 06, 2018 22:18 UTC