Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Bulo Isumacher elders and concerned Bulo Isumacher residents, in an open letter dated March 8, 2021, denied the allegations of a netizen who questioned on Facebook the group’s management of the Bulo Communal Pastureland.
As recalled, a post of a netizen on the Tabuk City Sumbungan Forum Facebook group accused the officers of Bulo Rain Water Collection System Association Inc. for having organized to collect money, and failure to consult their decision with the community in said barangay.
“Dagituy gamrud ti kwarta nga nag-angay da iti asosasyon nga isu ti mangituray iti dayta nga lake ket haan da apo nga inyuman iti umili iti Barangay Bulo,” the netizen posted.
According to the group, the netizen also mentioned that officers of said association are receiving salaries ranging from P 7,000.00 to P10, 000. 00, while others are receiving P3,500.00.
In the open letter, the group responded that even before the construction of Bulo Lake, elders in the community had already organized the pastureland association in 1987.
As to the alleged salaries of the officers, they said it was based on pure malice since the Board of Directors and its staff had an agreement that no amount shall be received by them in managing said pastureland, except for the designated collectors and the security guards.
Why the association was organized?
History of the creation of the association was also narrated by the group to further explain their side.
They claimed that back in 1987, after being informed that Jet Bunao, a rancher, did not renew the lease of the pastureland located in Bulo, they immediately organized an association and started managing and improving the pastureland in 1987.
During the time of President Corazon Aquino, the area was identified as settlement for CPLA members but then, the Isumacher fought for their right on the territory. Conrado Balweg, CPLA’s leader, being a member of the Indigenous Peoples and having understood the stand of the group, left peacefully.
They continued managing the pastureland and in the early 2000’s. A mini dam was then constructed and later on developed as a rain water collector.
“Little did we know that this water impounding project which became the Bulo Lake would attract local tourists from nearby municipalities and provinces during this pandemic,” they wrote.
The association’s objective, they said, is focused on the preservation and conservation of the Kalong three core values through the management of the Bulo Communal pastureland and development of the Bulo Lake as wildlife park.
Issue on the Collection of Environmental Fee
On the collection of environmental fees, the group said they already gave an advice to the barangay council to designate barangay staff or job orders to take charge of the fee collection with the issuance of official receipt from Tabuk City Treasury Office for it to be utilized in the development of the pastureland.
However, the group said they did not adhere to said advice as they collected fees without issuance of said receipt and hitherto are still implementing the same.
How the elders acted on the issue
Having alarmed that the tanod collectors did not heed the advice, they had a dialogue with the barangay council on March 7, 2021 and explained to them the policy of collecting fees without issuance of official receipt.
Accordingly, they were also reminded on their main role, which is to monitor all the activities of associations, clubs, and cooperatives under their jurisdiction.
The following day, the association’s collectors, found out that the tanods were still in the area collecting fees without official receipt.
To resolve the quandary, the group is now seeking advice from the Department of Interior and Local Government to shed light on the roles and functions of the barangay council and barangay tanods concerning said issue.
“We also appreciate if other concerned agencies would give comment on the issue and spell out the role of the barangay council in relation to engaging in business without business permit and official receipt from the treasury office and their functions as barangay council in relation to associations, cooperatives and organizations,” the members appeal.
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