Catherine Teves/Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The environment department will file cases against local government officials who will be leaving their posts this year but have been remiss in implementing environmental laws during their incumbency.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda assured such action, noting stepping down from office would not free them from environmental accountability.
“They’re not off the hook,” he said.
He urged local officials to implement environmental laws as they could face cases for failing to do so.
Among incumbent local officials facing possible legal action are those in Palawan province’s El Nido municipality, one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
Antiporda said this month, DENR issued cease and desist orders to 10 hotels and restaurants for violating RA 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) by polluting Bacuit Bay in El Nido.
DENR expects local officials there to act on the matter so they can save that bay from further pollution, he noted.
Government is rehabilitating El Nido and other tourist areas in the country to address environmental degradation there.
Antiporda hopes local officials in such areas will cooperate in the rehabilitation work so this undertaking can conclude by 2022 when the present administration’s term ends.
“We only have three years left to do the best for cleaning up the tourist areas,” he said.
