Intramuros head not yet off hook – environment chief
By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:49:00 09/06/2008
Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Politics, Government, Laws
MANILA, Philippines -- Environment Secretary Lito Atienza on Saturday pooh-poohed Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim's pronouncement clearing the head of the Intramuros Administration of any liability in the cutting of trees in Plaza Roma fronting the Manila Cathedral.
"How can he clear anyone when the case is still being investigated by the proper department, which is the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)?" Atienza said in a phone interview.
Atienza, a political rival of Lim in Manila, said the mayor's pronouncement would not influence the outcome of the DENR's investigation of the cutting of 29 trees in Plaza Roma.
"The precipitate, hurried opinion does not change the course of our investigation, and the case, if warranted, would be lodged with the green courts that are in place to handle environmental laws," he said.
Lim, citing the city government's investigation, had said there was no evidence that Intramuros Administrator Anna Maria "Bambi" Harper ordered the contractor to go beyond the limits set by a DENR permit for the tree-cutting.
The city government, however, said the contractor, Fernando Simborio of Green Philippine Nursery Plants, would be charged with violations of Presidential Decree 953, which penalizes a person who cuts, damages, or injures a tree.
The DENR has asked Harper to explain the tree-cutting and threatened to file similar charges against her under the principle of command responsibility.
Harper could face a two-year jail term or pay a fine of P5,000 or both under Section 3 of PD 953.
Harper, according to the DENR, was given a permit to cut 27 trees but ended up cutting 29. The DENR has issued Harper a notice of violations of four of 10 rules set in the permit, including failure to coordinate with barangay (village) officials.
Harper had denied issuing orders for the tree-cutting.
"This case rightfully belongs to the green court, and should be prosecuted by the green tanodbayan since Harper is a government official,'' Atienza said.
He added: “The law should apply to all, as generally bandied in Manila. As they say, ‘Otherwise, none at all.’”
Meanwhile, Joey Papa, president of Bangon Kalikasan, twitted Atienza for his double standard on environmental protection.
While he has questioned the cutting of trees in the Manila plaza, Atienza has not stopped moves to cut trees along McArthur Highway in Bulacan and Mt. Kanlaon National Park in Negros Occidental, he said.
Atienza even failed to stop the Quezon City government from destroying trees in front of the DENR building to give way to a brick sidewalk, he added.
“Stop cutting all remaining trees. Our forest cover is down to 15 percent and global warming is intensifying,'' Papa said.
With a report by Tina G. Santos.
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