Signature drive to reinstate Dingalan DENR chief launched

DINGALAN, Aurora – A move to gather at least 3,000 signatures to convince Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza to reinstate the former community environment and natural resources officer of this town has been launched by a Church-based non-government organization.

The Ugnayan ng Mamama­yan sa Lungsod at Nayon, Inc. (Umalun Inc.), based in Barangay Ibona here, which claims a membership of 1,200 thoughout this town, said the signature campaign is meant to make Atienza reconsider his earlier order relieving DENR Dingalan-Centro Meliton Vicente.

Vicente who replaced Reynaldo Astudillo a few years back after the latter was accused of abetting illegal logging, was relieved by Atienza over reports illegal logging activities have resumed in this town where landslides killed 300 people and displaced 1,000 families in late 2004.

According to reports, four 10-wheeler trucks have been coming weekly since March to haul at least 65,000 board feet of wood from three lumber­yards in Barangay Paltic.

The reports were reportedly provided by Fr. Pete Montal­lana, who styled himself as the head of the Dingalan chapter of Task Force Sierra Madre.