Tapaz declares DENR-MGB regional director persona non grata

THE Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Tapaz has declared Cecila L. Ochavo-Saycon, Western Visayas regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources— Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(DENR-MGB-6), as persona on grata.
The resolution, which declares Saycon unwelcome in the entire town of Tapaz, was due to the delay of the regional office of DENR-MGB in approving the Industrial Sand and Gravel (ISAG) permit.
The ISAG permit is a requirement for extracting sand and gravel for usage of constructing and rehabilitating both municipal and barangay roads in upland areas of the municipality.

“The delay in granting the permit has interrupted national government-funded projects, particularly the
End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program, and suspended the delivery of basic services to our constituents, which is grossly disadvantageous to the economic development of the municipality,” the resolution of SB Tapaz stated.
SB Member Bernie Tupaz, who is the chairperson for the natural and environmental protection committee, said that Saycon is “inefficient and negligent in the discharge of the public duties.”
Saycon was further accused of being “prejudicial to the best interest of public service and tarnished the image and integrity” of public office.
It was last April 5, 2023 when the local government unit (LGU) of Tapaz fi led an application for ISAG permit with the DENR-MGB regional office.
But DENR-MGB regional office has yet to process the ISAG application despite a long period, which is almost a year and a half.
Tupaz said that the Tapaz LGU made multiple follow-ups and even made a resolution to request the expediting of the process.
Meanwhile, Tapaz Mayor Roberto “Nonong” Palomar also expressed dismay over the delay.

Palomar told The Capiz Times that processing of the ISAG permit has been slow despite the Tapaz LGU complying with the required documents and paying the fees.

Palomar added that there are a lots of documents asked by DENR-MGB regional offi ce to be signed.
Saycon mum Saycon has remained silent on the persona non grata resolution.
Copies were sent to DENR Region 6 Offi cer-in-Charge Executive Regional Director Raul T. Lorilla and other relevant government agencies.
But reports indicate that DENR-MGB Region 6 is awaiting feedback from its Central Office in Metro Manila regarding the resolution.