Dumlog locals want mangrove cutting, ‘illegal’ construction halted

CEBU, Philippines – Residents of Sitio Roma, Barangay Dumlog are calling on Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to immediate stop the "illegal construction" of houses and cutting of mangroves in their area.

Glemar Rada, on behalf of his neighbors, told Committee on Environmental Protection, Wildlife Ecology and Natural Resources Management chairman, City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos Jr., that residents near the back portion of Deca Homes-Phase 2 in Dumlog are complaining on environmental issues, such as illegal cutting of mangroves, illegal construction of houses and illegal disposal of garbage at the mangroves area.

Bacaltos said they already conducted an ocular inspection in the area in order to validate the complaint of the residents.

During the inspection, Bacaltos discovered that some of the residents of Deca Homes-Phase 2, specifically occupants of units along the perimeter of the mangroves area, have constructed exit doors which are not parts of the approved house plan. They are the ones perceived to be throwing garbage at the mangroves area.

"To validate the allegations, it was found out that mangroves have been sporadically cut, that construction of light material houses at the middle of the mangroves area was ongoing and garbage was noticeably scattered around the mangroves area," Bacaltos said.

According to Bacaltos, there is a need for the mayor to issue a stoppage order for the construction of houses in the area to preserve the existing mangroves.

De los Reyes has yet to receive the complaint letter from the residents.