The Sum-ag Barangay Council filed criminal complaints against a resort owner for alleged violation of environment laws before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office Tuesday, June 8.
The complaints filed against Engineer Andre Taculod were for violation of the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, Philippine Fisheries Code, Water Code of the Philippines, and the Philippine Clean Water Act, Mark Steven Mayo, lawyer of the barangay council, said.
The complaints were filed by the Sum-ag Barangay Council represented by Barangay Captain Rodney Carmona and Kagawad Dominador Bergaño Jr., Mayo said.
Complaints were also filed against Taculod for grave threats and direct assault under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines involving Sum-ag Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson Jason Villarosa and Kagawad Miles Borda, Mayo added.
The City Legal Office also issued a cease and desist order on May 26, versus Taculod’s business operations in barangays Sum-ag and Pahanocoy in Bacolod City “that endanger/destroy the environment.”
Initial facts gathered, especially on the basis of the report of the Sum-ag barangay captain, showed that Taculod’s activities have involved the cutting of mangroves in a two to three-hectare area, the building of a wharf (mini-port) and development of a beach resort, Lawyer Reuben Mikhail Sabig, CLO Enforcement Unit head, said.
The report shows that all these are causing destruction and endangering the environment, not to mention the consequential danger of flooding since the construction of the mini-port narrowed the water passage, Sabig added in the CDO.*