Eastern Samar town mayor faces raps before ‘Green Ombudsman’

MANILA, Philippines - An Eastern Samar town mayor and a contractor have been charged before the Office of the “Green Ombudsman” for allegedly cutting mangroves without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan and contractor Cosme Tiu Sonco, owner of Al’s Enterprise and Construction, were accused by barangay officials of Campoyong, Guiuan of conspiring to cut and destroy mangroves in their barangay last July for a housing project.

Barangay kagawads Norma Loyola, Roger Lagramada, Dominadora Odeña, Nicolas Dagsa, Eleanor Lo and Paz Dimaangay filed their affidavit-complaint before the Environmental Ombudsman (Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon).

The barangay officers said Kwan “should be held administratively liable for grave misconduct for failing to act on and choosing to ignore our pleas to protect our constitutional right to a healthful and balanced ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

 Kwan and Sonco violated the Forestry Code for cutting mangrove trees without the necessary permits and environmental clearance from the DENR, they said.

The mayor and contractor continued to fell trees for a housing project despite a cease-and-desist order issued by the DENR and appeals from barangay officials, they added.

“As mayor of our town, Gonzales-Kwan should have immediately implemented DENR’s cease-and-desist order. In fact, we, as barangay officials, have passed and submitted Resolutions 14 and 15, requesting Gonzales-Kwan to implement such order,” the barangay officers said.

The complainants urged the Ombudsman to order the respondents to restore the area to its original state using their personal funds.