EDITORIAL - Lesson from the missing trees

For allegedly being responsible for the cutting of trees along a road they are rehabilitating, officials of a construction company are now facing a complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office said it filed a complaint against six officials of WT Construction Inc. for violation of Presidential Decree No. 953 for the disappearance of at least 79 trees from the center island of Sergio Osmeña Boulevard.

A portion of the complaint filed by CENRO-Cebu City chief Anatascio Cabalejo stated: "Logic dictates that it (WTCI) should be held responsible for the disappearance of these trees…."

Earlier, the company expressed intention to replace the trees. WT consultant Adolfo Quiroga also informed the Cebu City government that the firm has no hand in the cutting of those trees.

A complaint was already filed and it's time for the public to leave the task of finding any merit to the prosecutors. Should they find any, the complaint would simply go to the court, where a legal battle is likely expected.

In terms of magnitude, the complaint is likely the first of its kind in Cebu. Therefore, all attention will be drawn to the case. In fact, the local media have already given the issue a serious coverage.

But the case on the missing trees along Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, in one way, should serve as a lesson. That is because there are many across the country who until now do not know about any law on the cutting of trees.

For instance, there has been a law that strictly regulates the cutting of coconut trees. Yet many unknowingly violated the law, making a living out of illegally cutting coco trees for lumber.

While this is not to judge that WT is already liable, it's good that CENRO had opted to take legal steps over the missing trees. For it only shows that the government is really serious in its campaign against all forms of environmental abuses.