Coco agency officials escape charges for excess tree-cutting

TWO officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority in Cebu can now breathe easier after administrative charges were dropped against them by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

The charges filed by a certain Pantaleon del Rosario against PCA provincial development manager Delbert Barraquias and agriculturist Lilibeth Triumfo stemmed from their approval to cut down more than the number of coconut trees stated in a permit.

The Ombudsman said while there is no sufficient evidence to hold Barraquias and Triumfo accountable for violating the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995, they were directed to investigate the excessive cutting of coconut trees in Barili town, Cebu.

In July 2007, a certain Norberta Lariego and Maria Ocampo appeared before the barangay captain in barangay Tal-ot, Barili.  They presented a written note claiming that they were allowed to cut 10 cocunut trees in their lot.

The barangay captain issued a permit. It was found out that the actual number of coconut trees cut and sawed into lumber was 104. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol