Ex-city exec told to stop cutting trees

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resource's Community on Environment and Natural Resources Office has ordered former Mandaue City administrator Briccio Boholst to stop cutting the trees in his family's property in Barangay Paknaan.

City Environment and Natural Resources Officer  Placido Jerusalem said based on the information they received, Boholst reportedly ordered the cutting of Tipolo trees on a 2,400-square meter contested property, in which he is believed to build a house.

"Naay nisumbong nga concerned citizen and DENR immediately sent a team to verify it," he said.

Jerusalem added that shortly after the said agency saw that there were already trees cut, it issued a cease and desist order last November 18.

Jerusalem said the order came after Boholst, who is also a lawyer, reportedly could not present a permit from CENRO allowing him to cut those trees.

The timbers were still in the area where they were cut down pending the DENR order to confiscate them, he said.

The Mandaue CENRO head said the lawyer may face violation of Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code) for cutting those trees without permit.

He said as of yesterday, they still had no idea how many trees were cut but whether there was only one or more, if it can be proved that Boholst ordered the cutting, he would still face the same liability, said Jerusalem.

Boholst was city administrator before James Abadia was appointed by Mayor Jonas Cortes.

This is the second incident of tree-cutting reported in the city since Jerusalem assumed as CENRO chief in September.

Last October, they were able to stop the cutting of mango trees in Barangay Tabok, also because of a lack of permit.

"I hope through our efforts, the public will be reminded that we have the environmental laws that we need to implement. If they don't follow these, pasakaan gyud sila og kaso," he said. (FREEMAN)