Lawyers, environmentalists seek SC action over flood control anomalies
MANILA, Philippines — Several lawyers and environmentalists filed a protective writ seeking to hold government agencies and private contractors accountable for alleged anomalies in flood control projects and the resulting widespread environmental damage across the Philippines.
In a petition filed before the Supreme Court on Thursday, September 11, the petitioners are seeking to compel the Office of the President, Congress and other government agencies, along with government contractors, to address severe environmental degradation.
The petition asserts that "long years of neglect and willful destruction" have led to "brutal environmental degradation.”
A writ is a legal remedy for those individuals whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated or threatened.
Such a violation could be deemed an unlawful act or omission of a public officer, private individual, or entity involving environmental damage that prejudices the life, health, or property of residents.
In their plea, the petitioners asked the high court to compel the president to exercise control over government agencies to order a massive environmental cleanup and disclose or create a master plan for flood control.
The petitioners also want the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units to conduct a comprehensive cleanup and de-clogging of waterways.
They have also requested that the Department of Public Works and Highways be ordered to rehabilitate these water courses, that criminal elements be prosecuted and that Congress be recommended to codify a National Land Use Plan.
“We rise in collective condemnation of these neglect and deliberate corruption by government people who are diverting budget appropriations for flood control and infrastructure development. Corruptive acts and inefficiency must be curtailed,” the petition read.
“Corrupt officials must be brought to justice. Illegal and highly irregular acts must be halted. The wise and proper use of government funds must be ensured. The protection of the environment must top the priority programs of the government,” it added.
It could be recalled that flooding was experienced in many parts of the country since August, following a series of tropical depressions.
This prompted the government to conduct a probe into flood control projects, which revealed alleged anomalies between officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and its contractors.
On September 11, the DPWH filed graft charges against several of these officials and contractors before the Office of the Ombudsman.
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