Manila Bulletin
Baguio city gov't files environmental complaint against land owner for 'killing' 45 trees
Baguio city gov't files environmental complaint against land owner for 'killing' 45 trees
Baguio city gov't files environmental complaint against land owner for 'killing' 45 trees
Published Aug 3, 2019 01:31 pm
By Zaldy Commanda
BAGUIO CITY – The city government filed an environmental complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Friday against a landowner for "intentionally killing” 45 fully grown Benguet pine trees with the use of poisonous or toxic substance in one of the private lots at Legarda Road here.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (Photo from Benjie Magalong - Public Servant / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
The four-page affidavit of Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that the Gateluck Corporation, the owner of the lot, should be held accountable "for every tree damaged and for every act in violation of City Ordinance 18, series of 2016 or the Environmental Code of Baguio City" particularly Section 226-227.
Magalong personally inspected the lot on July 24 where the trees were poisoned, based on a report from the Forest and Watershed Management Division of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) which stated, "that subject Benguet pine trees were deliberately damaged to death as evidenced by presence of numerous drilled holes at the lower trunk of the trees. The holes were utilized to infuse poisonous or toxic substance destroying and killing immediately said trees.”
Magalong said boring by drilling holes on the tree trunks was an act to deliberately cause damage and death to pine trees, which was in blatant violation of the city's Environment Code.
He said, CEPMO has discovered that the corporation intends to develop the property and do some construction activities thereat as evidenced by the application for an excavation and ground preparation permit by their contractor before the City Buildings and Architectures Office which was returned due to certain deficiencies.
"There is, therefore, motive on the part of Gateluck Corporation, through its directors/officers, to kill the 45 Benguet pine trees in order for them to realize their developmental plans," Magalong stated in his affidavit.
CEPMO reported that the subject trees were fully matured and were naturally grown without indications of infestation unlike other pine trees infested by Ips Calligraphus, which may have triggered death at a slow pace.
The 45 pine trees were measured to have a total volume of 45.18 cubic meters, with each tree having a bore measuring ¼ inch in diameter and four-inch deep.
In the complaint, Magalong hoped to halt whatever development planned by Gateluck Corporation over its 5,186 square meter private lot. He also announced his plan to have the registration of the corporation cancelled by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (Photo from Benjie Magalong - Public Servant / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
The four-page affidavit of Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that the Gateluck Corporation, the owner of the lot, should be held accountable "for every tree damaged and for every act in violation of City Ordinance 18, series of 2016 or the Environmental Code of Baguio City" particularly Section 226-227.
Magalong personally inspected the lot on July 24 where the trees were poisoned, based on a report from the Forest and Watershed Management Division of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) which stated, "that subject Benguet pine trees were deliberately damaged to death as evidenced by presence of numerous drilled holes at the lower trunk of the trees. The holes were utilized to infuse poisonous or toxic substance destroying and killing immediately said trees.”
Magalong said boring by drilling holes on the tree trunks was an act to deliberately cause damage and death to pine trees, which was in blatant violation of the city's Environment Code.
He said, CEPMO has discovered that the corporation intends to develop the property and do some construction activities thereat as evidenced by the application for an excavation and ground preparation permit by their contractor before the City Buildings and Architectures Office which was returned due to certain deficiencies.
"There is, therefore, motive on the part of Gateluck Corporation, through its directors/officers, to kill the 45 Benguet pine trees in order for them to realize their developmental plans," Magalong stated in his affidavit.
CEPMO reported that the subject trees were fully matured and were naturally grown without indications of infestation unlike other pine trees infested by Ips Calligraphus, which may have triggered death at a slow pace.
The 45 pine trees were measured to have a total volume of 45.18 cubic meters, with each tree having a bore measuring ¼ inch in diameter and four-inch deep.
In the complaint, Magalong hoped to halt whatever development planned by Gateluck Corporation over its 5,186 square meter private lot. He also announced his plan to have the registration of the corporation cancelled by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).