MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for stronger environmental protection and accountability in managing the country’s protected areas following the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Uwan over the weekend.

In his manifestation of support for the privilege speech of Senator Erwin Tulfo urging protection for the Sierra Madre, Senator Raffy Tulfo criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for being “reactive instead of proactive” in addressing environmental abuse.

“The problem with our environment is that damages are often irreversible. Kaya dapat prevention ang priority natin hindi rehabilitation. Dahil years even decades ang kailangan to bring back any damage to our environment. And the cost is nowhere near any economic advantage that we can gain from some of the projects,” he said.

Tulfo cited as an example the controversial Kaliwa Dam Project, which he had previously opposed for its irreversible impact on the Sierra Madre ecosystem and the displacement of indigenous communities. He noted that while the DENR had once suspended the project due to environmental concerns, it has since been given the go signal to proceed.

“At the moment, may go signal na ulit sa Kaliwa Dam Project, dahil ba nabaling na ang atensyon ng mga tao? Are the concerns of the indigenous peoples addressed? While the MWSS claimed that only half of the village will be affected, Indigenous groups and villagers said the waters would submerge up to 90% of the village as only houses situated 70 meters and above will be spared,” he said.

Tulfo also pushed for a review of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act to improve regulations and ensure stronger community participation in monitoring violations.

“There is a need to instill better regulatory systems. Community participation in the regulation must be strengthened. Because just like infra projects, it is the communities that point out irregularities. It is the community that has genuine concern for the environment,” he said.

He further proposed amending the law to penalize government officials who take part in violations of environmental regulations.

“Sa katotohanan naipakita ko na kung papaano paglaruan ang mga miyembro ng DENR, PAMB, NCIP, at iba pang ahensya para makakuha ng kakayahan babuyin ang ating protected areas. With the right price and the right friends, anything is possible meaning walang imposible if the price is right. Oras na para bisitahin natin muli ang E-NIPAS at iba pang batas para wakasan ang ganitong systema,” Tulfo said.