CITY Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Colleen Lacsamana has recommended an investigation as well as disciplinary action against two of her men.
In a letter to Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the embattled CEPMO head said “May I recommend therefore investigation to be conducted on this event and where necessary appropriate action be meted to the concerned staff.”
Agoho trees lining the park which is currently being rehabilitated have been trimmed to the trunk and allegedly cut, creating noise in the social media over the weekend and enraging advocates in the city.
Domogan issued a memo November 11 to CEPMO personnel led by Lacsamana, Jones Gas-Ib, Arturo Killip and Walter Aguiree to explain the trimming of trees at the Malcolm square.
“I am shocked to see the trunk of the trees that had been cut at Malcolm Square. I cannot recall having signed any tree cutting permit to that effect. You are therefore ordered to explain within two days from the receipt why you should not be subjected to disciplinary action for cutting the said trunk of the trees without any proper approval permit,” Domogan said.
Lacsamana explained she instructed to have “aesthetic trimming and pruning therefore much of the crown of the trees should be retained, for whatever decorations will be installed.”
“I also informed Mr. Killip that the dry season has been officially declared so trimming and pruning must be done with utmost recovery and regeneration may take longer time or altogether we cause the untimely death of the trees. Further, I reiterated many times over the tree trimming and cutting in Baguio especially in the parks and public spaces always trigger adverse public reaction, please be very careful not to compromise the honorable mayor in a precarious situation,” added Lacsamana.
In a separate interview, Killip has admitted the trimming of agoho trees at Malcolm proceeded without permits were done in a hurry to comply with deadlines imposed for the opening of People’s Park.
“This is not the first time that I as department head and the entire CEPMO Department, including yourself were compromised due to defiance of concerned and responsible staff to simple and clear instructions. At the moment, I feel very insulted at the show of utter discourtesy to instructions of the concerned CEPMO staff resulting to this seemingly unappeasable public uproar,” Lacsamana said.
The Malcolm Square rehab was bided to RAJ Construction which cost P10 million while Architect Aris Go of the 90’s Design Studio designed the rehab of park.
The intended design of the park was envisioned to go back to the original public square filled with open spaces.
CEPMO said neither the contractor nor the architect were part of the trimming incident.