NGOs Oppose Proposed Legislation Changes Amid Meetings with Ministry

Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are speaking out against proposed changes to the laws governing them. Last month, the Ministry of Sustainable Development crafted amendments to the National Protected Areas Legislation and PACT legislation. Since then, it has been meeting with NGOs co-managing protected areas; however, we understand that several groups have boycotted the meeting, while others were not invited. A handful of agencies are reportedly against the proposed changes, which the ministry says aim to harmonize the PACT Act with the National Protected Areas Systems Act. Yesterday, Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet was asked to weigh in on the situation and whether it would dissuade the government from moving forward with its plan. 

The amendments would need to be passed by the House of Representatives and Senate before being made law.