Domogan denies ‘usurpation of powers’ charge by DENR

>> Tuesday, June 4, 2019


Tree-cutting controversy


By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Outgoing Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan denied usurpation charges against him by the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources on issuance of tree-cutting permits for dead trees and those that pose danger to the public, saying such charges were in violation of due process as enshrined in the Constitution.
Domogan said usurpation charges against him being floated by Undersecretary Benny Antiporda was another effort by individuals and groups to subject him to trial by publicity when he was never given a chance to formally respond to such charges as part of due process accorded to people being accused of committing offenses.
He said it was best for the DENR to file usurpation charges against him so he can answer these in the proper forum as the DENR is not the authority that will resolve this but the duly constituted authorities.
“We do not even know if the usurpation charges were filed in the first place. We are wondering why such charges are being floated in the media and not the proper forum so that we can present our arguments that will dispute such unfounded and unfair allegations,” Domogan said.
He said emergency tree-cutting permits issued by his office passed through stringent investigation by personnel from the concerned offices of the local government who are experts in ascertaining whether or not the trees subject for the issuance of tree cutting permits are dead or those that pose eminent danger to life and limb.
According to him, he issued an administrative order sometime in 2012 that required the conduct of a joint inspection of the trees being applied for the issuance of tree-cutting permits by the personnel of the concerned offices of the local government and representatives from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) but such arrangement did not push through because CENRO officers often reasoned out that they have no personnel to do so when requested to conduct inspections on trees being applied for cutting permits.
Domogan said the city government does not want a repeat of the incident inside Camp John Hay (CJH) where a bright 16-year old high school student died after he was hit by a dead tree that fell when the same was not actually cut. He said tree-cutting permits issued by his office  are properly documented and passed through the process as prescribed under existing law, rules and regulations.
 Local executives are authorized by law to issue emergency tree-cutting permits on trees that are either dead or those that pose eminent danger to life and property based on the assessment of personnel and certified by barangay officials who have jurisdiction on the areas where the tree subject to be cut are located.
He said supporting documents of issued tree-cutting permits will speak for themselves that there was no usurpation committed since all issued tree cutting permits passed through prescribed processes.

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