Gina Lopez is thinking and acting strange these days, as shown by her letter titled “Puzzling PCSD actuations” (Inquirer, 7/26/12). To gloss over the charge that her foundation illegally cut 45 mature trees to make way for her eco-academy project, Lopez resorted to squid tactics and lies.
First, she claims to be a “protector of the environment,” yet her project in Sabsaban (Brooke’s Point) sits on land cleared of old trees, about which tribal leaders complained before the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) adjudication board. The evidence is overwhelming: pictures and videos—which don’t lie—showing the cutting carried out by Lopez’s eco-academy without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and without a Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) clearance from the PCSD. Lopez did not mention this and pretends not to know of this violation. We ask her: “Oh really?” Now she must tell Palaweños the truth.
Second, she maligned the PCSD as antipeople, arguing that her project “provides sustainable livelihood for the people while taking care of the environment,” which is a totally distorted view. Simply, the charge was about her eco-academy violating the SEP clearance system. Lopez must tell the truth and should not hide behind distorted arguments.
Third, the PCSD intervened because of the indigenous peoples’ (IPs) strong opposition to the project. Let me be clear: The PCSD is not against the project. But it cannot tolerate the continuance of a project without first complying with existing rules.
The PCSD adjudication board has been fair to Lopez. It dealt on the charge of operating the project without the required SEP clearance. The charge of cutting trees and operating without the IPs’ consent was lodged before the DENR and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as these are the appropriate agencies to handle such cases.
Lopez also wrote, “There is no cease and desist order issued against Brooke’s Point Eco-Academy. In fact, we have had our first management committee meeting…” Is she confirming that the project is still operating? This would mean then that she is in continuous violation of PCSD Administrative Order No. 6. She has not complied with the SEP clearance, which is basic. Lopez’s reasoning can very well be this: I can break the law because I am Gina Lopez.
But the PCSD mandate under the SEP Law is clear: We will enforce it, because it is our legal duty, and most of all, because it is the moral thing to do.
The next PCSD adjudication board hearing is set this August. We suggest that Lopez make a personal appearance there.
At the end of her letter, Lopez wrote: “It is clear that the current crop of PCSD leaders has lost their right to govern…” This is a fevered mind speaking and ranting. Let’s restore sanity to the arguments in this case.
—ROMEO B. DORADO,
officer in charge-executive director,
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development