DENR clears housing project in E. Samar town

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given its clearance for a National Housing Authority (NHA) project in Barangay Campoyong, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The department lifted a cease-and-desist order it earlier issued against the housing project and allowed it to proceed after looking into the complaints of barangay officials that the NHA contractor, Al’s Enterprise and Construction, illegally cut mangrove trees in a 1.4-hectare area of the 4.3-hectare housing site.

Barangay councilman Dominador Odeña protested the DENR decision. However, in a letter to Odeña, DENR regional executive director Manolito Ragud stood pat on the decision to lift the cease-and-desist order.

The decision was based on a report submitted by a DENR investigation team that looked into the village officials’ complaints.

In its report, the team said it saw “no sign of illegal cutting of mangroves or any tree.”

“Hence, filing of criminal charges against responsible NHA officials and/or their contractor…is untenable,” it said.

However, the team said it discovered “telltale signs of damaged mangroves with their uprooted roots intact, and some sprouts or branches.”

Still, charges for illegal cutting of trees could not be filed as the area is not forestland, since it has been classified as alienable and disposable land, it added.

The investigation team recommended the imposition of a P50,000 fine against the contractor.

It also recommended that no more mangroves or any tree be cut in the housing site without a DENR permit.

The DENR decision in effect also cleared Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan, whom Odeña and five other council members of Barangay Campoyong had charged before the “Green Ombudsman” (Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon) in connection with the alleged illegal mangrove cutting in their community.

The other complainants were Norma Loyola, Roger Lagramada, Nicolas Dagsa, Eleanor Lo, and Paz Dimaangay.