The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has physically enforced separate cease-and-desist orders against three resorts that had continually operated without permits inside the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DENR said CALABARZON executive director Nilo Tamoria and Rizal Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Ramil Limpiada sent a composite team to execute the closure order, led by Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service director Reuel Sorilla and UMRBPL Protected Area Superintendent Grace Malabanan.
The team padlocked the main gate of Danum Baker Resort and reinforced its closure with a chain and an official “CLOSED” poster, under orders from DENR Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement Norlito Eneran.
Upon arrival at Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis, which shared a common entrance, the enforcement team found the main gate already locked and unattended.
Due to the absence of a service entrance, the team decided not to padlock the gate, a vital access point for local communities residing further inside the area.
Prominent closure posters for both establishments were posted on the gate itself.
The three establishments were among nine resorts within the protected landscape previously issued a cease-and-desist order or a show-cause order.
The DENR confirmed that the other six establishments issued have already complied with its order and are no longer operating.
