DENR serves suspension order to Socorro

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo- Loyzaga yesterday told the Senate that the suspension order allowing the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) to manage a portion of a protected area (PA) in Sitio Kapihan was served to the alleged cult Tuesday night.

But even before the suspension order was served, some SBSI members fled Sitio Kapihan after the Senate Public Order hearing led by Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Risa Hontiveros on the reported Forced child marriages and other illegal activities perpetrated by SBSI.

Dela Rosa and Hontiveros strongly believed that the SBSI is a cult, citing “blind obedience” of members to their known leader Jey Terence Quilario alias Senior Agila..

Socorro Mayor Riza Timcang confirmed that many members of the SBSI also left Sitio Kapihan.

She also said many teachers who quit their jobs to join the cult  in the mountains had already returned to their respective schools.

According to the mayor, they have been discussing possible assistance to the returning cult members, including housing subsidies.

It was reported that some members have sold their homes and other assets when they decided to join Quilario.

Meantime, they will be accommodated at the evacuation center, training center, barangay gym and even convents.

Speaking in the Senate hearing on the propose in Sitio Kapihan was handed personally and through registered mail.

She also divulged to the Senate Finance subcommittee presided by Sen. Cynthia Villar that she will meet today with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Social Welfare Secretary Sec. Rex Gatchalian and a representative of Interior and Local Government Secretary Sec. Benhur Abalos to discuss an integrated approach to the situation in Sitio Kapihan being occupied by more than 3,500 members , including some 1,000 minors.

The agreement between the DENR and  the SBSI refers to a Community-Based Reaource Management Agreement or PACBARMA.

Loyzaga said the agreement provides for collaborative efforts to protect the land while providing livelihood to local residents.

Former DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu and former DILG Sec. Eduardo Ano had the place investigated following reports that SBSI barred entry of non-cult