• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Officials of Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City won a four-year legal battle against a resort owner accused of violating the Revised Forestry Code and the Revised Fisheries Code, threatening the community’s ecosystem and local livelihood.
In an 11-page order dated August 26, the Bacolod Regional Trial Court Branch 44 ruled Engr. Andres Taculod, the owner of a beach resort project at Barangay Pahanocoy, guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating Sec. 64 Presidential Decree No. 705 and the violation of Sec. 94, RA 8550 now Sec. 99 of RA 10654.
“We are relieved that the court finds him guilty of all the accusations against him,” said Rodney Carmona, Sum-ag barangay captain.
Taculod is directed to pay for the damaged mangrove trees worth P500,000 per hectare per year, until the area is restored, and will be supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), with reports submitted to court every six months.
In addition, Taculod was also sentenced with imprisonment and required to pay a fine of P80,000.
“We are happy that we have come to this point that there is already a favorable decision to the government and the residents of Barangay Sum-ag,” City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said.
According to Mayo, the case began in May 2021, when the Barangay Council received reports of ongoing construction works at the mouth of Sum-ag River, where mangrove trees were cut down. During the ocular inspection with CENRO, it was reported that the mangroves became fewer from the previous inventory.
Mayo added that the case was pursued as it was discovered that Taculod did not secure a permit for his activities in the area.*
