The court has found Engr. Andres Tacolod guilty beyond reasonable doubt for alleged environmental violations as he was developing his resort in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod.
The charges were filed against him by officials of Brgy. Sum-hag after the resort owner allegedly violated certain environment laws in developing a dock or wharf for his resort right at the mouth of the Sum-ag River.
In a decision penned by Presiding Judge Ana Celeste Bernad of Branch 44 of the Regional Trial Court in Bacolod City, the eleven-page ruling concluded that Tacolod violated environment laws covered by Section 68 of Presidential Decree 705 and Section 94 under Republic Act 8550 when Tacolod allegedly cut down mangroves for his resort development and also reclaimed land which is part of the Sum-ag River.
In her decision, Bernad meted the accused of imprisonment of a minimum of two years, four months to a maximum of seven years and four months for the first case and to pay a fine of P80,000 plus imprisonment of six months minimum to two years and four months.
The court also to pay for the damaged mangrove trees covering an estimated area of 2,000 square meters computed at P500,000 per hectare per year until the area is restored. It also directed the DENR-CENRO to supervise the restoration of the area and submit a status report to the court every six months until the area is fully restored.
While Sum-ag Brgy. Captain Rodney Carmona said they are happy with the court’s decision, they know their struggle is far from over as they expect Tacolod’s camp to file a motion for reconsideration.