Environment complaint filed vs Palawan mayor

MANILA, Philippines - A complaint was filed against Mayor Narciso Leoncio of Brooke’s Point town in Palawan and 19 others before the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) for converting Sabsaban Falls into a resort without permit.

The legal department and enforcement unit of PCSD accused Leoncio and other local officials of violating Republic Act 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

Also charged were Department of Environment and Natural Resources community officer Emelina Cojamco, officials of Barangays Ipilan and Aribungos and Xenia Mae Juanitas of the Missionaries Association of the Philippines.

The complaint, which also named ABS-CBN Foundation executive director Gina Lopez and officer-in-charge James Adrian Bicaldo, was docketed as Administrative Case 438 before the PCSD Adjudication Board (PAB).

PCSD legal department chief Adel Belena said the local officials violated the law in developing the falls into an eco-tourism resort without securing clearances for occupation, development, cutting of trees and construction of cottages among others.

Teodoro Baltazar, chief of the PCSD enforcement unit, also cited reports on the cutting of trees provided by Robert Paalan, a member of the Brooke’s Point Federation of Tribal Councils.

Baltazar asked the board to issue a cease and desist order against the project until all requirements have been met.

The PAB is chaired by Alfredo Abueg Jr. with former Palawan vice governor David Ponce de Leon, former congressman Vicente Sandoval and Romeo Dorado as members.