CENRO files case vs principal for illegal tree-cutting in OCNHS

OLONGAPO CITY – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in this city has filed formal charges against a school principal and a landscaper for the illegal cutting of trees inside the campus of the Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).

Forester Lemuel Dorigo, chief of the Forest Protection Unit of the CENRO here, named OCNHS principal Helen Aggabao and contractor Erick Nathaniel Ellano of the Jati Construction and Supply, as respondents in a complaint filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in this city.

Dorigo said in his complaint that the respondents caused the cutting of eight trees of various species in the school campus early this month “without valid and legal documents from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or his duly authorized representatives.”

This violated Section 68 of Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, as well as Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 953, the complaint said.

Dorigo filed the formal complaint after the CENRO conducted an adjudication hearing on the case on Jan. 21, wherein both respondents reportedly admitted their failure to secure a DENR permit prior to having the trees cut.

Prior to this, the CENRO also made an inspection of the tree-cutting site on Jan. 13, after it received a report from concerned citizens about the tree-cutting, said Raul Mamac, officer in charge of the Olongapo CENRO.

Mamac, however, disputed newspaper reports that century-old trees, as well as narra and mahogany trees, have been cut at the OCNHS campus.

He added that “there is no truth to insinuations that our office has not acted on the matter after being informed (by a concerned citizen) through a telephone call.” – With Katherine Adraneda