Eastern Samar mayor accused of destroying mangroves says politics behind issue

The mayor of Guiuan, Eastern Samar accused of cutting mangroves without seeking permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources aired her side on Wednesday, labeling the issue as politically motivated.

Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan and contractor Cosme Tiu Sonco, owner of Al’s Enterprise and Construction were earlier reported to be accused by barangay officals for illegally cutting mangrove trees last July for a housing project.

“I have not received, nor there is, or is my office aware of any complaint filed against me before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding this National Housing Authority (NHA) project. The project involves the NHA. The local government unit of Guiuan has nothing to do with it save the fact that my constituents, the low-income families that are needing safe and decent houses to live at, are the beneficiaries of this project,” Gonzales-Kwan said.

She added the project has secured a green light from DENR in Eastern Visayas and the area was declared fit for the housing project.

“Even the Chairman of the NHA, Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay, has informed my office, dated 21 September 2012, that the NHA Board of Directors has approved the land development of Phase I of the project expecting to generate 316 lots," she said.

Gonzales-Kwan, who said she believes the isssue is politically motivated, added that in 1998, the areas were already declared fit for a housing development even before she took office as mayor.

She said Presidential Proclamation No. 694 signed on August 17, 2004 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, specifically reserved certain parcels of land of the public domain located in Barangay Campoyong, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, for resettlement project site purposes under NHA administration.