DENR exec in NE sacked for “unauthorized’”release of typhoon-uprooted trees to furniture shop

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, September 26, 2012–A community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been relieved from his post Monday for allegedly illegally releasing 92 pieces of felled trees uprooted by two typhoons to a furniture shop and sash factory without prior authorization from higher authorities.

          Relieved in Special Order 299 issued by DENR regional executive director for Central Luzon Maximo Dichoso was Joselito Blanco, CENRO of the DENR-Cabanatuan.

          Blanco was placed on floating status at the DENR regional office in Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando in Pampanga. He was replaced by CENRO-Talavera Samuel Danganan whose post was taken over by Juan Fernandez Jr.    

          Blanco’s relief arose after Dichoso issued him a show-cause memorandum last August 30 ordering him to explain why he should not be charged administratively and criminally for disposing of the uprooted trees felled at the height of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.”

          Dichoso said Blanco illegally disposed of the trees, with a volume of 167 cubic meters at South Salabuyo, Barangay Bugnan, Gabaldon town by entering into an unauthorized memorandum of agreement (MOA) with AVV Furniture Shop and Sash Factory (FSSF).

          The agreement was supposedly for the purpose of retrieval and disposition of the trees.

          Dicho, in his memorandum, told Blanco that the latter failed to conduct a prior inventory of the trees, did not submit a report thereof and did not seek clearance for its disposition from higher authority.

          “These acts and omissions may constitute gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, dishonesty and act grossly prejudicial to the interest of the service, contrary to the existing laws, rules and regulations.

          Blanco, in his notarized sworn affidavit submitted to Dichoso denied the allegations against him. He pointed out that the agreement he entered into with AVVFSSF was not a MOA but a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and this was executed on May 8, not May 18 as reported.

          He said that contrary to claims he failed to conduct an inventory, he had rendered an inventory report of the uprooted trees.

          On claims that he did not seek clearance for the disposition of the trees from higher authorities, he said he personally consulted Dichoso’s predecessor Ricardo Calderon regarding the retrieval of the trees.

          He said he informed Calderon that the uprooted and damaged trees pose a “great risk” as it could accumulate and clog the narrow waterways in the area.

          Blanco denied his supposed acts and omissions, adding these could not have constituted gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, dishonesty and act grossly prejudicial to the interest of the service since he exerted “all my earnest effort to uphold my duties and obligation.”

          He pleaded with Dichoso that if his acts may have been overlooked, these should be considered which he said, he believed he did in good faith and in accordance with the interest of the public at large.

          Blanco said the trees were put to good use because they were utilized as construction materials for school buildings, classroom and school armchairs in the town of Gabaldon, benefitting the community, including schoolchildren.

          “My initiative is also in response with the policy of DENR Secretary Ramon Paje to provide assistance to the Deped (Department of Education) for the improvement of their school facilities,” he said in his affidavit.

          But Dichoso was far from convinced. He said Blanco failed to satisfactorily explain what authority he had in disposing the trees.

He said Blanco was also being linked to illegal logging operations in his jurisdiction. (Manny Galvez)