On the cutting of trees at Ciudad

Dear Editor,

Allow me to react to the columns of Godofredo M. Roperos on the April 3, 2012 issue of Sunstar, and Anol Mongaya in today’s issue of SunStar as well as Rene U. Borromeo of the Freeman’s issue of April 3, 2012.  In all of these columns, it was made to appear that I claimed in my complaint  with the Ombudsman, that trees were cut inside the proposed Ciudad project.

If the opinion writers concerned checked on their facts, a more balanced view would have been presented to the public.  In my complaint, there was never any claim that the trees were already cut.  The subject of the complaint was composed of two parts:

1. That in the inch and a half thick presentation of Ciudad of its Environmental Impact Statement, it was made clear that “The developer will not cut trees within the project site”.  This was confirmed by Ciudad proponents as well as EMB Division Chief William Cunada in the December 2, 2011 public scoping/hearing at Barangay Apas before the general public that there would be no cutting of trees.  However, after the public hearing, a Review Committee funded by Ciudad composed of alleged environmentalists from the academe, non-government organizations, PCO’s and the like was organized and a new Environmental Impact Statement was submitted by Ciudad  which now called for the cutting of 263 trees leaving only 37 trees.  I was made to understand that the new Environmental Impact Statement will be approved by EMB Regional Director Fernando Quililan and EIA Division Chief of the EMB William Cunada without any further public hearing.  All of this can be verified in the charges I filed with the Ombudsman against the individuals named above.  A copy of the charges is attached.

2. In addition, the submission of tampered titles that were clearly cancelled by the Register of Deeds was not considered by the DENR as a serious flaw for purposes of approval of the project.

My interest in the case goes beyond the immediate concern of the misleading of the public as this is not the first instance that the group behind the project had done so.  (They were also involved in the demolition of the market in Cogon Ramos).  If I may point out, there is also the legal issue now pending in court whether the project could be legally pursued without violating existing law.  I have been consistently vocal on this aspect.  I hope this will be given equal space in your newspaper and that your columnists will better research their facts next time.

Sincerely yours,  

TOMAS R. OSMENA

Congressional Representative

South District, Cebu City