PENRO DavSur collects MANP Revenues from HEDCOR and LGU Sta. Cruz

As payment for the sustainable use of Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) as a protected area, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Davao del Sur of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI), collected a Special Use Agreement for Protected Area (SAPA) fee from HEDCOR Sibulan, Inc. amounting to PhP 5,149,142.00.

The SAPA of HEDCOR Sibulan Inc. is a 25-year lease of their 10.24-hectare Hydropower Facility in Brgy. Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur located within the Multiple Use Zone (MUZ) of MANP. Under Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems Act of 2018, the SAPA requires a yearly payment for the sustainable use of the protected area. Along with this are other requirements such as Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), regular monitoring from the DENR, coordination with Indigenous Cultural Communities, establishment of local community projects and conduct of environmental rehabilitation of selected sites.

As per Republic Act 10629, 75% of SAPA fees will be allotted as Retained Income Account of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which will used for local conservation projects in MANP and. Moreover, 25% will be sent to the National Treasury as general fund for all PAs in the Philippines.

The SAPA of the HEDCOR Sibulan, Inc. is the 24th SAPA issued by the DENR nationwide and is the 3rd SAPA issued for Region XI.

On the other hand, the Local Government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur turned over their MANP trekking fee share amounting to PhP 823,749.00 to PENRO Davao del Sur. As mandated by PAMB-MANP Resolution No. 2015-01, the 25% of the total trekking fees will be for the PAMB-MANP while 60% will be for the LGUs (Municipal and Barangay) and 15% for the Indigenous People.

To date, the revenues from HEDCOR and LGU Sta. Cruz sums up to a gross total of PhP 5,972,891.00 for 2022.

Attending the awarding ceremony were DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco, PENR Officer Davao del Sur Alberto N. Bandiola, Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Joel S. Pardillo, HEDCOR Sibulan Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Rolando G. Paquiao, Assistant Vice President for Mindanao Operations Galen Ray Alova and LGU Sta. Cruz Tourism Officer Julius R. Paner.

via PENRO Davao del Sur / Franklyn Buenaflor

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