For supporting ECO group: DPWH-7 fires 2 workers?

CEBU, Philippines - Two job order employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways were reportedly fired Monday for allegedly supporting the efforts of environmentalists to save the trees up for cutting along the Naga-Carcar section of the national highway going to the south of Cebu.

The report was denied by DPWH-7 director Ador Canlas.

“I don’t remember firing anyone. I am the appointing authority and thus the only one who can fire people of the regional office,” Canlas said.

Dondon Dimpas, one of the mountaineers who protested the cutting of the trees, said that brothers Chad and Oro Dave Bacolod were terminated effective Monday.

Dimpas said the Bacolod brothers were served notice that their contracts have expired and that they were advised not to report anymore. According to Dimpas, Chad had been working for 10 years already. He was assigned at the DPWH weigh bridge in Minglanilla.

Chad was already on his way home when he saw Father Robert Reyes running prompting him to seize the opportunity to have a photo with the running priest.

“He was on his way home when he saw Father Robert Reyes running and asked for a photo with the environmentalist priest. He posted the photo online and someone from their office saw it,” Dimpas told The Freeman.

Dimpas was one of the mountaineers who climbed Acacia trees in Naga and also joined Reyes in a run from Naga to Carcar while wrapping white ribbons around century-old trees lining along the highway.

“His superior called his attention and said his contract has already expired and that he could not return to work anymore. That same day, he went to the regional office to appeal but he was told the termination is final because his immediate superior has already decided,” Dimpas relayed what Chad shared to him.

Dimpas, who is a network engineer, said his friend Chad is also into the outdoors. He found it “cruel” to strip his friend of livelihood just because of a photo with the running priest who has strongly opposed cutting of trees as sacrifice for road improvement projects.

“As mountaineers, it is our responsibility to protect nature. Because we love nature, climbing the trees and strongly express this feeling is very spontaneous act to protect it from being cut,” Dimpas said.

Reyes, on the other hand, said the denial of Canlas was expected.

“Of course he will deny. Alam na kasi ni (DPWH)Secretary Singson,” he told The Freeman.

Meanwhile, Movement for a Livable Cebu lauded the directive of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje thoroughly reconsidering environment permits for road widening project especially involving trees.

“We in MLC are gladdened by Sec. Paje’s directive. However, we are for a thorough evaluation of the trees in the south of Cebu. Let the experts tell us what is to be done with the trees so we can prevent further accidents along the road. Let the experts see what has been done to the trees to warrant 150 trees are to be declared sick all at the same time. The DPWH and DENR must work hand in hand in pursuing development without prejudice or total disregard for the environmental and heritage aspects of road building. Sec. Paje’s declaration is a step towards this goal. This is also in tandem with Sec. Singson’s moratorium on cutting of trees and widening roads and instead concentrating on building loading/unloading bays and flared intersections. This is heartening news for MLC who in the past fought the building of flyovers in the city core. We advocated for flared intersections instead. We see the declaration of Sec. Paje as proof that government listens to ordinary citizens,” the statement read in full.

Canlas said the directive affects the agency’s project and also calls for reassessment of projects.

“This will have an impact on our projects. So we have to reevaluate our designs particularly those which will involve trees. If the projects will no longer be technically feasible, then the option of foregoing the project may be considered,” Canlas said.— (FREEMAN)