DENR sues mine firm for clearing pine trees

BAGUIO CITY—Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. has been sued for the 2017 destruction of pine trees at a road project in Mankayan town in Benguet province, but the provincial prosecutor has yet to act on the complaint, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official said.

The trees were bulldozed by an employee, who had since been disciplined by the firm.

Ralph Pablo, DENR director in the Cordillera, said the DENR filed the criminal complaint against Lepanto on Dec. 6 for failing to secure a tree cutting permit when it displaced trees as it opened a road access to the mine’s tailings pond.

In its affidavit, Lepanto said it instructed its bulldozer operator, Andrew Padtoc, to “clear the area with instructions to avoid damaging the trees.”

Lepanto said it had no intention to uproot or damage the trees. —KARLSTON LAPNITEN