PEJC threatens to sue DENR, other agencies

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Earth Justice Center threatens to file civil actions for mandamus and Temporary Protection Order within the week against several government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7, for failure to give them the documents they have been requesting for the past months.

PEJC co-founder, Atty. Gloria Ramos, said they have been asking documents from DENR but these were not given until now.

"Og di gihapon ihatag this week, we have no other recourse but to compel the release through court action," Ramos told The Freeman.

PEJC has been asking from DENR the complete inventory of the "heritage trees" in the cities of Naga and Carcar that are subject to cutting and earth balling, among others.

Ramos said they will already seek within the week the assistance of the National Historical Institute to issue a cease and desist order against DENR and the Department of Public Works and Highways to stop the cutting of heritage trees along the areas affected by the P1.25 billion Naga-Carcar road project of then first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas.

DENR-7 executive director Isabelo Montejo earlier said that the DPWH should replace the trees with at least 13,800 native and indigenous seedlings before actual cutting will be done.

Montejo said that the eight acacia trees recommended for cutting are already in the advanced stage of decay and are beyond rehabilitation.  (FREEMAN)