Cenro to Argao gov’t: ECC approval varies for two different projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Argao town has clarified to the municipal government that the area in the Barangay Binlod that the town wants to utilize for an eco-tourism project is different from that in Moalboal town.

 This was in response to the letter of Argao Municipal Administrator Vip Fortich Semilla dated July 24, 2014.

In the letter, Semilla expressed confusion why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 turned down the town’s application for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for a government project in the mangrove area of Barangay Binlod, Argao when in fact the cutting of mangroves in Barangay Tomonoy, Moalboal was allegedly permitted by Cenro-Argao officer Flordeliza Geyrozaga to make way for the construction of a ‘shopping mall’.

It was reported that Geyrozaga, whose jurisdiction includes Argao and Moalboal, recommended to DENR to deny the ECC of Argao since the project site is a mangrove area.

Semilla claimed that the 5,000 square meters lot at Tomonoy covered with fully-grown species of mangroves was reclaimed.

In a letter to Semilla dated August 20, 2014, Geyrozaga said the construction of a mall is located at Poblacion East, Moalboal, not within Barangay Tomonoy. She explained that the area in Poblacion East is alienable and disposable land while that of the Municipality of Argao falls within timberland area.

“(In Poblacion East), the owner thereof has the right to develop the area, provided that in so doing, it would not violate any existing laws, rules and regulations on the matter. (While in Argao), the denial of the application of the Municipality of Argao, Cebu is in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations applicable on the matter,” read Geyrozaga’s letter sent to the media.

However, Geyrozaga said there was illegal cutting of mangroves in Poblacion East which was verified after an investigation and ground verification was made by the Cenro on July 8, 2014.

Following the investigation on the mangrove cutting, a criminal complaint filed against the violators is now pending before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Cebu for the violation of the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines which prohibits the cutting of mangrove trees.

Geyrozaga further belied the accusation that she just ignored the concerns on the 5,000-square-meter reclamation in Moalboal.

“The foregoing action taken by this office against the aforenamed violators of the pertinent provision of the forestry law is an indication of our strong conviction in upholding the law and preserving whatever remaining forest we have, which in one way or another, help us fighting global climate change due to rampant and indiscriminate illegal cutting of trees,” she stated.  (FREEMAN)