Principal in hot water over order to cut trees

CEBU, Philippines - A school principal of a public secondary school in Cebu City has been called to an administrative proceeding for allegedly ordering to cut a tree down within the school’s compound in line with the school’s beautification project.

The directive, however, was not supported with a permit from the Department of Environment  and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR 7 spokesperson Ed Llamedo said they confirmed the move during a field investigation conducted by forest ranger Danilo Orbasido of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) last August 23.

In his incident report addressed to CENRO officer Anastacio Cabalejo, Orbasido said four mahogany trees with an average height of three meters and a diameter of 17, 15, 25, and 43 centimeters; and two Indian trees with a diameter of 11 and 16 centimeters.

The teacher who surprised the cutting of the trees reportedly said that the principal instructed him to cut down the trees for ground beautification. This reportedly did not have the approval from Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Rheamar Angtud.

DENR-7 Executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the administrative proceeding would allow the principal to explain her side formally.

“This is part of the process that we usually observe to listen to an explanation or justification on what prompted them or who authorized them to eliminate those trees as existing policy requires the approval or a clearance before tree cutting will be made,” Montejo said.

Montejo said that per February 5, 2013 DENR Memorandum, the Narra is considered a premium tree species and should not be cut down unless permit or clearance from the DENR, specifically from the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations in Manila, is obtained.

A notice of administrative proceedings has been sent out to the principal for a conference on August 30.

The Freeman is withholding the name of the principal pending investigation. — (FREEMAN)