Hospital construction to push through – Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Engineering Office has made it clear that construction activities at Dr. Jose Maria V. Borromeo Memorial District Hospital in Pandacan, Pinamungajan town are still going on amid the cease and desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7.

Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora told The FREEMAN that the cease and desist order applies only to the cutting of trees and does not to halt the ongoing construction.

“Padayon ta kay wa man mi kadawat og cease and desist sa construction activity,” he said.

At least 65 trees, mostly gmelina and mahogany, have already been cut to give way to the construction of a new building within the compound of the district hospital in Pinamungajan.

But the management of the district hospital was ordered, through a CDO dated February 2, 2015, to stop the cutting of trees for the  expansion project due to lack of necessary clearance and tree cutting permit.

Jamora, who went yesterday to Pinamungajan for an inspection of the project site, shared that a certification issued by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office in Toledo City was presented to him by Chief of Hospital Dr. Feleus Basco.

The certification, he said, pointed out the trees planted within the vicinity of the hospital in 1992 that will be affected by the construction of an additional building will be cut.

In a text message sent to The FREEMAN, Provincial Health Office head Dr. Cynthia Genosolango explained that the hospital proceeded with the cutting of trees “because they were given that piece of paper that serves as the permit,” referring to the certification.

Jamora believes that what the hospital failed to comply was just the permit to transport the flitches away from the hospital premises.

But Elvi Langbid, forester II of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Toledo City, earlier clarified that what the office released was just a certification that cited the trees that would be affected by the project and not a permit.

The DENR is still investigating the matter.

However, Genosolango said that the hospital is now working on the necessary additional requirements for the transportation of the cut trees.

“So whatever ang needed for the full process, we are starting to comply,” she said.  (FREEMAN)