Contractor faces raps for cutting mangroves

CEBU, Philippines — A construction company was sued for alleged illegal cutting of mangroves in Plaridel Interior, Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

A certain Maria Priscilla Melendres, a resident of La Guardia, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, filed the case against BNR Construction and Development Corporation for violation of Section 77 and 78 of Presidential Decree (PD) 705 or illegal cutting and destruction of forestland.

Melendres filed the case on May 31, 2023 at the Mandaue City Prosecutor's Office.

Melendres said she decided to file the case against the construction company as she personally witnessed on November 17, 2022 the cutting of mangroves near his property where three backhoes were used to dig up the mangroves.

She further alleged that the digging in the area continued in November 2022 until February 2023 and in April 2023.

According to Melendres, the construction company does not have an earth balling permit for mangroves or a special land use permit from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO).

Melendres also found out that the construction company was hired by the Mandaue City government for the expansion of the water channel in the area from the Butuanon River.

No statement from the company yet despite several attempts to contact its officials.

However, lawyer Julius Caesar Entise on the side of the Mandaue City government, described Melendres’ action against BNR Construction as mere harassment.

The lawyer questioned why the city government was not included in the charges when it was the one who hired the company to undertake the project to solve the flood problem.

Entise said they did not violate the mangroves in the area and added that Melendres was only harassing them.

Entise disclosed that they have complete documents as well as permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources including those for the earth balling of the mangroves. —  (FREEMAN)