A BUSINESSMAN in Bacolod City has asked the City Legal Office (CLO) to lift the cease and desist order issued against him on his business activities along with the areas of Purok Mabinuligon II, Barangay Sum-ag and the shoreline of Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy.
In his letter dated May 27, 2021 and addressed to lawyer Reuben Mikhael Sabig, Andres Taculod, owner of the Taculod Enterprises Inc. and Taculod Fort Rental Property, said contrary to the allegations of Barangay Sum-ag chieftain Rodney Carmona, his ongoing works are for the development and improvement of Pahanocoy areas.
Taculod was allegedly operating as property leasing business for restaurants and venues in Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy and Purok Mabinuligon, Barangay Sum-ag.
On May 25, CLO has issued a cease and desist order to Taculod on their operations or business activities along the areas of Purok Mabinuligon II, Barangay Sum-ag and Purok Punta Balas, Barangay Pahanocoy.
Initial facts gathered by CLO from Carmona said Taculod’s activities in the areas involved the cutting of mangroves of about two to three hectares and the building of a wharf or mini-port.
The CLO will further evaluate the said activities under the provisions of City Ordinance No.318, Series of 2002 or the Quarrying Code of Bacolod City, Presidential Decree 705, or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines, and the Republic Act 7161 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
Taculod said his ongoing works is for the road development and improvement from main road going to Sum-ag River passable 24/7; wastewater pipeline installation and development for locators and families at the end of the road near Sum-ag River; install water facilities for use of locators and families at the end of the road near Sum-Ag River; and install electrical and lighting facilities along the road from the main road to Sum-ag River.
He said the sandbagging was protection for sand accretion at the shoreline area to avoid soil erosion; backfilling along Sum-Ag River was protection to soil erosion and uprooting of mangrove trees during heavy waves and flooding during rainy season inside his lot area; and excavation and widening of drainage canal were for the use of Barangay Pahanocoy and development.
“The residents of Pahanocoy did not complain but instated they are happy of having such development in the area as it provided business activities and created employment to them,” he added.
Taculod noted that the office of Barangay Pahanocoy is elated with the recent development in the said area.
“Considering that said activities in the said area are not a nuisance in contemplation of law, I respectfully pray that your good office immediately lifts the cease and desist order, and if Carmona is aggrieved and not satisfied, he should go to Court and ventilate his grievances in the said proper forum,” Taculod said.
The Bacolod City Council also earlier approved a resolution requesting the Office of the Building Official, City Planning and Development Office, City Engineering Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Permits and Licensing Division, and the CLO to look into the operation of businesses along the shoreline of Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy and Puok Mabinuligon, and Barangay Sum-ag.
The resolution was authored by Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, chairperson of the City Council committee on environment.
Lopez said the business entities, Taculod Enterprises Inc. and Taculod Fort Rental Property, of which businesses are owned and operated by Engineer Andre Taculod, are allegedly operating as property leasing business for restaurants and venues in Sitio Aning, Barangay Pahanocoy and Purok Mabinuligon, Barangay Sum-ag.
“Business entities in the area have been operating without the necessary business licenses which will supposedly ensure the protection of our environment from improper waste disposal and protect the hygiene and sanitation of the public,” he said.