Eight establishments in El Nido are now facing formal complaints for operating inside a protected area without required permits.
This comes as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its MIMAROPA office, moves to curb illegal developments that threaten the environment and public health.
The complaints were filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Palawan, bringing the total number of establishments charged to 12. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) chief Felizardo Cayatoc said they were issued cease and desist orders (CDOs) to stop their operations.
“May CDOs [sila],” Cayatoc said briefly in a text message.
The cases stemmed from violations of Republic Act No. 11038, which requires businesses to secure clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) before constructing or operating within protected areas.
The DENR regional office said the establishments built and operated facilities inside the El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area without the necessary approvals.
The PAMB, composed of representatives from national agencies, local governments, civil society, and the private sector, is tasked to regulate activities within protected areas to ensure these are aligned with conservation and sustainable development goals.
The filing of complaints follows earlier enforcement actions, including inspections, issuance of notices of violation, and opportunities given to establishments to present proof of compliance.
Officials said the crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts to address environmental degradation, sanitation issues, and public health risks linked to unregulated development in El Nido.
They added that enforcing environmental laws is key to protecting the area’s ecosystems and sustaining tourism and livelihoods that depend on its natural resources.
The DENR MIMAROPA did not name the 12 establishments.
Monitoring and enforcement activities will continue across protected areas in the region, authorities said, to promote responsible tourism and long-term environmental protection.
Earlier, DENR MIMAROPA said four complaints had already been filed in March against establishments found violating environmental laws, including Republic Act No. 11038 and Presidential Decree No. 705, following investigations and case build-up activities, bringing the total number of cases to 12.
