Cutting of trees in Olongapo school angers Atienza

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday ordered his department’s field officials to explain why they should not be charged for the “killing of trees” in a public school in Olongapo City.

“Nakakagalit… They killed the trees,” Atienza told The STAR in a phone interview after seeing a picture of trunks of felled trees at the backyard of the Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).

“That’s unjustifiable; it cannot be condoned. Some people, including school authorities, should be held accountable for this,” he said.

Atienza said he instructed his office to urgently send memoranda to the regional technical director, provincial environment and natural resources officer, and community environment and natural resources officer to explain within 48 hours why they should not be charged administratively and criminally for negligence.

Atienza also directed DENR Undersecretary Ramon Paje to check and stop the cutting of more trees at the OCNHS campus.

“This is a good case of what I have been saying, of the policies we have set in the department… that DENR officials, employees, and field personnel would be made answerable for their actions, inaction and negligence,” he said.

“How did this incident in the Olongapo City school happened with or without the knowledge of the DENR people there? This is against the government policy on the protection and preservation of trees,” he added.

Last week, an environmental group called on Atienza to shift his attention from the Subic Bay Freeport to the campus of the OCNHS.

The Steward and Vanguard of the Earth Movement (SAVE) said trees, which “had stood there for as long as generations... can recall,” were cut to the surprise of students of the OCNHS.

In a letter to The STAR dated Jan. 22, Relly Javier, president of SAVE, accused school officials of allowing or authorizing the “axing” of the trees, reportedly including narra and mahogany.

Javier said they have information that “more trees are lined up for the chopping block.”

It was unclear though how many trees were already cut and how many more trees were to be felled at the school grounds.

“DENR Secretary Lito Atienza should act on this matter. He must do something to save the remaining trees,” Javier said.