DENR probe on mangrove cutting in Camotes urged

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has urged the Department of  Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate the reported cutting of mangroves in Camotes Island and asked it to cancel the contract it entered into with an individual allegedly behind the cutting.

The appeal was addressed to DENR-7 regional director Isabelo Montejo, who on January 14, 2014, entered into a memorandum of  agreement with Pacito Relampagos for the “shoreline protection, mangrove rehabilitation and bathing establishment” in Barangay Unidos, San Francisco, four days after Mayor Aly Arquillano ordered the development in their mangrove area stopped.

The Provincial Board came up with such resolution sponsored by Board Member Jude Thaddeus Durano Sybico after Arquillano on January 10 issued a cease and desist order against the ongoing development in the town’s mangrove plantation, saying it allegedly violated the environmental laws.

“Allegations has reached to my office that you destroyed the surrounding mangrove area. Such destruction is completely unlawful and will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form,” read Arquillano’s letter to Relampagos. —/JRS (FREEMAN)