The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the demolition of Illegal structures and fences/enclosures in KM. 45 Marcos Highway, Pinugay, Baras, Rizal. The team were led by Undersecretary for Field Operations, Enforcement, and Muslims Affairs Jim Sampulna, together with the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force - EPETF Dir. Nilo B. Tamoria, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer - Rizal, Isidro Mercado.

The illegal structures were built on a portion of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) which is a Protected Area and included in the initial component under Republic Act 7586, also known as National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) and legislated under RA 11038 (ENIPAS Act of 2018).

Any activity within a protected area needs a prior clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

Photo courtesy of EPETF Dir. Nilo B. Tamoria