LMP backs off, not suing DENR

CEBU, Philippines - The league of municipal mayors in Cebu has wavered on its earlier plan to file a class suit against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after it recalled the tree cutting permit issued against diseased acacia trees along the south Cebu highway.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, president of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu chapter, said they have decided not to pursue the filing of the case anymore.

The organization decided instead to pass a resolution requesting DENR Secretary Ramon Paje to reissue the permit and allow the cutting of the remaining trees identified as dangerous to the public.

In a report over radio dyLA, Diamante said majority of the municipal mayors agreed that filing a case may be “harsh” and would not solve the issue. Most of the mayors believe that it would be better to settle things amicably.

Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. and his grandfather, former congressman Eduardo Gullas, are asking the LMP-Cebu to also pass a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways to continue with the road widening project in the south.

The Gullases believe that the widening project will pour in economic investments that would also benefit the 23 municipalities and three cities in the south.

Apart from these towns, the people from the neighboring provinces of Bohol and Negros would also benefit from the projects since it would provide “easy and convenient” road access to from the south.

The elder Gullas explained that the people from Bohol can reach Cebu through Loon, Bohol to Argao, Cebu; Tampi, Negros Oriental to Bato, Samboan, Cebu; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental to Dumanjug; and San Carlos, Negros Occidental to Toledo.

“It’s not just the Cebuanos who use the road… Ang mga tawo intawon nga mangagi diha manguros kay tungod mahadlok matumba na’ng mga kahoy, gamay pa gyod ang dalan,” the elder Gullas said.

“While Congressman Gullas respect all the stakeholders in the project, it cannot, however, be denied that more than the environmentalists’ advocacy, the overriding issue herein is the welfare of the Cebuanos and this can be done by introducing to them visible and tangible government projects. The road project is an assurance and a commitment to the people of Southern Cebu that government agencies are doing something for them,” the former lawmaker added.

The Gullases thanked the mayors’ league for supporting the cutting of trees along the roads in the cities of Naga and Carcar and the town of San Fernando.

 “The move to cut the trees is not, after all, abusive, arbitrary, capricious or whimsical. It is neither designed to arrest the protection of mother nature nor disregard the health of the environment. The government is geared towards a sustainable development, one that will advance the economy so that people can sustain their living without sacrificing much of the environment,” the Gullases added.

The cutting of trees has been stalled after Paje recalled the permit following protests from environmentalists who wanted to stop the cutting of heritage acacia trees.

The elder Gullas said he had already talked to Paje about it and the latter is allegedly willing to give back the permit once DPWH pursues with its project.

“Ingon siya (Paje) nga iyang gi-recall ang special tree cutting permit because wa na may project. Di man daw ipadayon ni Sec. (Rogelio) Singson. That’s why we ask the LMP nga ang resolution nila sa LMP-Cebu chapter should not only be addressed to Sec. Paje but also to Sec. Singson,” he added.

The elder Gullas had said the delay in cutting trees would escalate the cost of the long-delayed road widening project in the south.

The road-widening project from Carcar to Naga which costs P1.2-billion includes the rehabilitation of six bridges and installation of 37 box culverts.

The former congressman recounted that he only raised P875 million of which a total of P400 million was shelled out by former congressman Tomas Osmeña.

Eddiegul said the remaining amount was raised by Samsam.—/FPL (FREEMAN)