Reconciliation. Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos and DENR-7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo sign the MOA to jointly implement the town’s FLUP, with Cordova Mayor and LMP Cebu Chapter Vice Pres. Adelino Sitoy witnessing. (CDN PHOTO/PETER L. ROMANILLOS)
The legal row between the Argao municipal government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) over a farm-to-market road project in the southern Cebu town is over.
Yesterday, they signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to jointly implement of the municipality’s Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). The FLUP identifies the town’s protected forests and alienable and disposable lands.
Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos said the MOA will allow the reclassification of the land in their project site in sitio Binalabag, barangay Jampang.
Under the FLUP, the area covered by the road project is identified as a “production forest” or those viable for economic projects and activity.
Galeos was facing a complaint filed by the DENR before the Visayas Ombudsman for the alleged illegal destruction of trees in violation of the Forestry Reform Code or Presidential Decree 705 during the course of the construction of the road project.
The two-kilometer farm-to-market road was 50 percent completed when the DENR ordered it stopped last March 21.
ARGAWANONS
Yesterday’s MOA signing also paved the way for the reconciliation of Mayor Galeos and DENR-7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo, who have been at odds the road project.
Montejo and Galeos, who both hail from Argao sat beside each other with Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega, who is also an Argawanon, during the activity at the governor’s office. Gov. Hilario Davide III is also an Argawanon.
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