Councilor express alarmed over cutting of trees in Marilog District Comelec vows peaceful, orderly village elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it would spare no effort in preventing violence in the forthcoming October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

“The power of the Comelec will only be effective during the Election Period, once the Election Period kicks in. This is a warning to everyone, who want to spread violence during the BSKE: The Comelec is not okay with you terrorizing the people to prevent them from voting. We will do all things possible to prevent violence in all parts of the country,”

Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the National Election Summit 2023 held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas noted that security preparations are being done for the October polls.

“Once the election period sets in, the Comelec will be empowered, and we will do everything as far as security preparations is concerned to ensure the safety of all, be it voters, candidates, teachers, or poll workers,” he said.

The election period for the BSKE will be from July 3 to November 14.

Elnas made the assurance amid the spate of killings of elected officials -- the latest of whom is Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Meanwhile, Garcia also noted that the input of stakeholders are needed to be able to come up with a collective plan to improve the conduct of poll exercises in the country.

“The sovereign through the 1987 Constitution have empowered the Commission on Elections with such mandate and duty to administer and enforce election laws in the country,” Garcia said in his welcome message.

“Even with such a plenary authority, it is to be admitted that we cannot do it alone. We need your help, your guidance, your criticisms, your well-meaning suggestions on how to further improve the conduct of all electoral exercises in the country. This is what the first election summit is all about.”

The Comelec chief also underscored the role of the people in crafting good policies and programs.

“Leadership must not be arrogant, self-centered, and short-sighted. Furthermore, it is not important whether the citizen is attacking us or defending FCOMELEC, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chairperson of the committee on environment and natural resources (CENR), expressed alarm over reports that trees are being cut in Marilog District to make way for the construction of new school building.

This is in relation to the inspection report received by his office on March 2, 2023 from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) relative to an area assessment at Sitio Kibalang, Barangay Marilog Proper, Marilog District.

In his privilege speech during the session of the 20th City Council, Ocampo said CENRO inspected the cutting permit requested by Leo Gadong, school head of Buatan National High School in the said barangay as its presence impedes the construction of a new school building.

Ocampo also said that during his visit to the area, several large trees were already cut down.

“According to the site workers, an additional 40 to 60 trees will be cut down. The area is thickly populated with full-grown mahogany trees, some of them 11 years old,” he said.

Ocampo mentioned that based on the landslide assess- ment and mapping conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in 2011, Sitio Upper Kibalang has a very high rating of landslide susceptibility.

He also said that Brgy. Marilog Proper, thru Barangay Resolution No. 50 dated October 30, 2012, recognizes that Upper Kibalang has a very high risk for landslide and soil erosion.

“Natingala man gud ko nga ang area tree planting project sa CENRO purposely for landslide mitigation based on MGB assessment kay high susceptibility sa landslide ug soil erosion and was supported by the barangay