DENR replaces agency’s heads in Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY—Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga reassigned the top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Eastern Visayas region following a complaint by a Leyte lawmaker.
The reassignment came after Rep. Richard Gomez of Leyte’s fourth congressional district called the DENR’s attention for its officials’ alleged inaction on what he described as environment violations in the operation of a poultry farm owned by Mayor Ramon Oñate of Palompon town.
Arturo Fadriquela, DENR regional executive director in Eastern Visayas, was sent to the Zamboanga Peninsula. He was replaced by Lormelyn Claudio, who was from Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region. Martin Despi, EMB-Eastern Visayas director, was moved to Central Luzon after he was replaced by Wilson Trajeco.
The revamp order was issued by Loyzaga on July 6 and implemented on July 24.
The DENR in the region declined to issue a statement when asked if the changes in leadership had something to do with the request made by Gomez to Loyzaga.
Victory
The Inquirer tried but failed to reach Gomez for a statement. But in his social media account, the actor-turned-politician said the revamp involving the DENR-EMB officials in the region was a victory for the people of Albuera and Palompon towns.
“I am very passionate about this environmental problem in our district because if this violation will not be acted accordingly, what will happen to our environment, especially in the fourth district of Leyte,” Gomez said.
“That is why I am here, standing up against this environmental violator,” he added.
Gomez had earlier took to task the DENR officials in Eastern Visayas for failing to act on the alleged environmental violations committed by the poultry farm owned by Oñate, which allegedly discharged waste directly to a major watershed in Palompon.
Aside from polluting the environment, Gomez said the improper discharge of waste from the poultry farm also resulted in health and sanitary problems among residents, particularly those residing in Barangay San Joaquin, where the farm is located.
Gomez earlier called for a congressional inquiry on the matter.
—JOEY GABIETA INQ
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