Miriam files resolution to probe Makiling tree cutting

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the cutting of trees on Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna province, for a road project.

In Senate Resolution No. 701, Santiago said the proper committee should look into the complaint filed by municipal councilor Norvin Tamisin in the Office of the Ombudsman against a barangay (village) captain and two other government officials over the issuance of a barangay permit to cut down 19 kapok trees on Makiling’s Magnetic Hill on Feb. 13.

Tamisin had accused Florencio Bautista, chair of Barangay Timugan, of abusing his authority when he issued the permit to cut down the trees as part of a road-widening project.

Quoting Tamisin, Santiago said Bautista was a subcontractor of Jobel Enterprises, which was contracted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for a P16-million, road-widening project.

The road-widening project is the initial phase of the government project Mt. Makiling Ecological Garden Road.

The senator said Bautista allegedly even entered into a contract with Jobel Enterprises for him, his brother and others to cut the trees.

Also named respondents in the complaint were DPWH district engineer Joel Limpengco and Los Baños environment officer Emiliano Leviste, who allowed the cutting of the trees.

“There is a need for the local and the national governments to address the environmental risks that these road expansions are causing, and there should be a need for stricter implementation of the law against cutting down trees without proper permits,” Santiago said.

The senator said Republic Act No. 3571 prohibits the cutting and destruction of trees, plants and shrubs on public roads, plazas, parks and schools.

She said Section 3 of this law states that no cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees, plants and shrubs in public grounds is permitted unless it’s for public safety, among others.