The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has ordered the removal of paint on boulders at a dam in upland Cebu City.
PAMB said that painting the rocks is inappropriate being a natural formation within an area of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. The barangay committee that handled the beautification program has also failed reportedly to coordinate with PAMB.
Boulders at Lusaran Dam, in the mountain barangay of Cebu City, were painted with multiple colors to exude purportedly an atmosphere of “rainbow stones.” A conspicuous “I Love Lusaran” is also etched on a rock to mark the location.
However, DENR 7 said that the painting of boulders is considered an act of vandalism and is therefore against the law.
Lusaran Barangay Councilman Jimmy Marikit has apologized for having initiated the program with beautification in mind and to offer a tourist attraction in the area.
He said he has no idea that it was wrong or that he would be brushing against the law.
GMA Regional TV News Balitang Bisdak chanced upon visitors from as far as the town of Liloan in north Cebu who were having a swim in the area.
It was March 2024 when the Lusaran Dam Beautification Program was crafted, spearheaded by Marikit as chairman of the Barangay Council Committee on Tourism. However, the initiative is shrouded with controversy after the DENR has called their attention, saying that painting the rocks is “illegal.”
DENR said that it has no permission from PAMB which is required being part of Cebu’s protected areas.
DENR said that coordination prior to the implementation of a program is essential because it would discuss appropriate programs that would conserve a natural site or a natural view, not alter it, according to Charlie Fabre, assistant regional director (officer in charge) of DENR 7.
PAMB has investigated the area and ordered the removal of the paint manually.
Residents have helped remove the paint manually using brushes.