Clear sign of bad faith

This comes late, but just the same… the Jan. 4 issue of the Inquirer, Sunday Lifestyle section carried the following headline: “Did this Baguio solon just bulldoze 761 trees for a private road?”

A complaint has been filed by a nonprofit organization, the Pine Cone Movement, which supports and initiates environment protection efforts in Baguio.

After the fallen trees massive soil erosion followed, resulting in the contamination of at least three freshwater springs that have been sources of drinking water for thousands of residents in Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet, for decades.

“No answer” or a mere fax tone was all that far the attempts to contact the congressman could go—sign of bad faith (or, if you prefer, arrogance).

Naturally, all the tree-cutting was allegedly done without bothering to obtain the necessary official approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Apparently the genius has things stacked up in his favor—officials, bureaus, offices, all of it… connections galore.

One wonders where else in the world can one find public officials, who are specifically tasked to pass laws protecting the public and the environment, take such liberties with natural resources in so wanton a fashion, and worse, stick their snotty noses into off-limits watersheds at the slightest of whims! These environmental predators should be hung out to dry!

—BOBBY KRAUT, [email protected]