DENR to sue construction firm

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is set to file charges today against WT Construction Inc. over 79 "missing" trees in a center island on Serging Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.

DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo yesterday said the case against the construction company is now ready to be filed after head of City Environment and Natural Resources Officer-Cebu City has executed his judicial affidavit.

It was CENRO that conducted the inventory and re-inventory of the trees that will be affected by the ongoing road expansion project.

It can be recalled that DENR-7 issued a cease and desist order on April 3 to the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 on the earth-balling of trees as part of the plan to rehabilitate the road.

On the same day, it was found out that the missing trees were found at Pier 3 and were allegedly earth-balled by some personnel of the said construction company in the absence of supervision and monitoring of DENR and Cebu City Parks and Playground Commission.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 regional executive director, said persons responsible for this should be held accountable based on existing forestry laws, rules and regulations as what has been done was a clear violation of the conditions set forth in the conduct of an earth-balling activity.

Llamedo added that DENR-7 will send out a follow up letter to DPWH-7 today asking them to explain the said incident.

DPWH-7 information officer Marie Nillama had said despite of this controversy, the on-going road expansion project will not be halted to make sure that it is finished ahead of its scheduled date of completion. — (FREEMAN)