A caretaker of Nursery 1 Incorporated clarified that the Russian national who owns the land in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia has a 25-year lease contract on the property, which they have been renovating.
The issue arose after photos of the river, with rocks painted in various colors, were posted online, raising concerns over potential environmental law violations.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Bacolod, Elvie Evangelio, the caretaker, said that her employer, Ivan Orlov, currently in China, leased the property five years ago from the Mambukal Resort Development Corporation (MRDC).
They coordinated with an MRDC personnel named Naneth, who assured them that the necessary documents for the property, including the river, were in order.
After fully paying for the lease contract, the team initiated the redevelopment of the area, aiming to turn it into a scenic “mini-Mambukal.” They built four pools and various structures around the riverbed, planted fruit trees, and other plants, with Orlov deciding to paint the river rocks.
Evangelio clarified that only the exposed parts of the rocks were painted when the water was low, and it wasn’t intended as a resort, as the area remains open to the public free of charge.
According to Evangelio, Orlov had coordinated with the barangay and believed they had obtained the necessary permits for the renovation. Orlov was informed about the issue and was unaware that painting the rocks violated the country’s laws.
The Russian national assured that he would address the violation.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Negros Occidental visited Nursery 1 Incorporated after the photos went viral. The property is owned by Ivan Orlov, who has a live-in partner from Bacolod.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Bacolod, PENRO Head Engr. Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya said they couldn’t make a decision solely based on social media photos, so they personally inspected the site.
If violations are confirmed following the investigation, authorities will consider solutions, including restoring the river to its original state.
Gerangaya explained that, even if non-toxic paint was used, altering the natural beauty of rivers is prohibited under the Water Code of the Philippines. Rivers are government-owned and cannot be sold, with only the riverbanks being privately owned.
Initially, Gerangaya mentioned that charges of violating the Anti-Vandalism Act and Malicious Mischief could be filed against the owner.
They will also consult the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding the structures built on the riverbed.