Solar power plant firm charged for cutting trees without permit

by Mar T. Supnad November 4, 2015

SOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph/solar-power-plant-firm-charged-for-cutting-trees-without-permit/

Solar Power Utilities Generator Corp. (SPUGC), a private firm setting up a 40-megawatt power facility in San Juan, Botolan, Zambales is in hot water and is facing criminal charges before the Office of Provincial Prosecutor.

Charged with Violation of Section 77, formerly Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by Executive Order 277 are Ryan Anthony Tecson, an engineer of Scheyma Konsult Inc., and Marilou Guntang of Solar Power Utilities Generator Corp. (SPUGC). The complainant was Abraham Pablico, a staff of Provincial Environment and Natural Resoources Office (PENRO).

Public claimed that the accused initiated the cutting off trees, through its contractor, without the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office.

When sought for comment, Tecson refused to comment, saying he needs to consult with his lawyer.

The cutting of trees came at a time when the province is rocked by massive flashfloods and landslides resulting in the death of a number of people and massive destruction of properties and agriculture in the province.

Personnel of PENRO-DENR-Zambales  found that 51 trees out of the 53 have been cut already by (SPUGC) even before the DENR-Zambales could release the permit. Laudemir S. Salac, PENRO head, said this is a blatant violation of Section 77 of Republic Act 7161, formerly Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by EO 277.

In its investigation,  it was found that the project engineer of SPUGC was the one who directed the contractor to cut the trees  to pave the way for the excavation for the company’s fencing.

“As per protocol, an initial field inspection/inventory was conducted on August 28, 2015 by the staff of CENRO-Masinloc, in response to the company’s request. However, upon re-inspection and verification on Sept. 18, 2015 by a team composed of representatives from the CENRO and PENRO, only two trees (one Rain tree and one Eucalyptus) were left uncut on site which is unlawful, knowing that the company is yet to submit a Deed of Conveyance as additional requirement still,” said Salac.