DENR to pursue charges vs Harper

Apology is not enough.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) vowed to pursue filing charges against the Intramuros Administration for the “massacre” of 29 trees at the Plaza Roma to pave the way for a re-landscaping and development project in front of the Manila Cathedral.

“The issue is not between (Environment) Secretary (Lito) Atienza and Administrator (Maria Ana) Harper. The issue is clearly between Ms. Harper and the law. The IA administrator should in no way look at our decision to prosecute as a personal attack against her,” said Corazon Davis, executive director of the DENR-National Capital Region (NCR).

Harper earlier denied ordering the cutting of trees, which included, among others, nine Narra and two mahogany trees that are both considered endangered.

Though Harper was reported to have expressed her apologies to authorities for the incident, she allegedly accused Atienza of hatching a “politically motivated scheme” against her.

Harper allegedly claimed that Atienza had wanted jurisdiction over the IA, which has its own charter, when the DENR chief was still serving as Manila mayor.

But Davis insisted, “The DENR being the principal agency responsible for the protection of our trees and the rest of the environment, we are duty-bound to file charges against violators of the law no matter who they are.”

Davis also criticized Harper’s initial efforts to escape responsibility by laying the blame on a subordinate, who had “mistakenly” ordered the contractor to move the trees elsewhere, saying such action was “untenable.”

She maintained that the DENR-NCR was never remiss in their efforts to assist the IA in its purpose of moving the trees so that park goers can get a better view of the cathedral.

“From the time that Ms. Harper’s office requested DENR approval last May 22, our office had not failed to show her people how 10 of the trees, which are considered premium, should be balled to preserve its roots,” Davis noted.

“Instead, the trees were ruthlessly cut down in violation of four of 10 rules set in their permit. In addition, Ms. Harper’s people cut 29 and not just the 27 trees covered by the permit. They also failed to coordinate with the local barangay office as required in the permit,” she added. 

The DENR had granted the permit for moving the trees at Plaza Roma last Aug. 5. It is also looking into the possibility that the chainsaw used by the Batangas City-based contractor in cutting the trees is not registered. 

Republic Act No. 9172, otherwise known as the “Chainsaw Act,” requires chainsaw owners to register their equipment with the DENR.

Harper faces a two-year jail term or a fine of P5,000, or both under Section 3 of Presidential Decree 953, which was issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1976.

 ‘ I did not cut trees’

Intramuros Administration chief Maria Anna Harper denied yesterday that she has personal involvement in the controversial cutting of trees in the historic Intramuros area.

“I categorically state that I did not personally cut the trees, or directly order their cutting. I was shocked and horified when I saw the stumps of the trees,” Harper said in a statement released to the media.

“I rely on my reputation established as a heritage conservator and preserver of trees – the Arroceros Forest Park and the former Mehan Garden and of historic structures like the Jai-Alai – to support my credibility in this instance,” she added.

Harper, however, offered an apology for the incident.

“We owe the Filipino people, who own Intramuros, a deep apology,” she stated.