Illegal cutting of mangroves costs road project in Liloan

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered to stop a road network project in Liloan town citing contractor’s violation of the law that bans cutting of mangroves.

Raul Pasoc, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer, issued the cease and desist order on July 31 against the Psalm Property Venture and Development Corporation.

“You are hereby directed and ordered to immediately cease and desist said illegal development that causes more damage of mangrove vegetation over the area,” read the order.

The order came after nearly 200 mangrove species were allegedly damaged because of the backfilling activity at the 1,500 square meter timberland area in Sitio Tulay, Cotcot, Liloan.

PPVDC is working on a proposed La Costa Ivyza Subdivision project in the area. 

 DENR-7 Director Isabelo Montejo said the developer also violated the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, and of Presidential Decree No. 1586 since the area is protected.

 Montejo said they cannot tolerate projects that lead to the destruction of mangrove plantation.

 “We cannot tolerate the cutting of mangroves for any project as we have been aggressively promoting the continuous protection of mangroves as they play a vital role in climate change mitigation and adaptation,” he said.

 Based on DENR-7’s Licensing, Permitting and Deeds Division record, no tree cutting permit was issued over the cutting of trees or any other relevant permits or licenses on the said project.

 A cutting permit or permit to earth-ball mangroves is not allowed under RA 7161.

PPVDC also allegedly failed to present an approved environmental compliance certificate, proof of land ownership, and development permit from Liloan.

 Presidential Decree 1586 provides a penalty of P50,000 for any contractor violating the ECC requirement.

 The violations were discovered during the conduct of ground inspection on July 16 by forester Danilo Lendio with Liloan Municipal Environmental Officer Rolando Tabuñag, Councilman Raul Bataluna, and Police Officer 3 Cedric Castillo.

 Montejo has directed his legal officers to file appropriate charges against the contractor for violating the forestry code. The case will be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office probably next week.

 “I have directed CENRO Pasoc to closely coordinate with our legal division to file the appropriate case in violation of existing forestry and other environmental laws next week,” he said.  (FREEMAN)