CAGAYAN, Philippines – Regional Director Benjamin Tumaliuan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has cautioned individuals not to start fire in any National Greening Program (NGP) areas and private tree plantations or face charges in court.
Tumaliuan said there have been cases where such fires caused the destruction of seedlings and young trees in NGP sites in the region.
He cited a case in Nueva Vizcaya where an individual has been filed with a case.
“The unidentified guilty person was asked to pay all production expenses incurred in the plantation project as well as the expenses in seedlings procurement,” the director said.
He said either intentional or not, the perpetrator will have to face charges of six years imprisonment and must replant the destroyed seedlings.
Tumaliuan said that the three cases in Cagayan are now under investigation.
“Should they be found guilty, the full extend of the law will be applied to them,” he added.
DENR warns public against burning in NGP areas
