By Felipe V Celino
ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ – A school administrator promised to pay for the damages caused by the cutting of fruit-bearing trees planted outside the Capiz State University (CapSU)-Burias Campus in Mambusao, Capiz.
Rosie Labto said Dr. Rodyard Madiclum, CapSu-Burias administrator, was fined P50,000 for ordering the cutting of the trees during a recent dialogue with Burias Punong Barangay Rosalia Loja.
Labto was the one that planted the fruit-bearing trees six years ago.
During the settlement, Labto said that the CapSU management coordinated with the barangay officials on the clearing operations outside the school campus in preparation for the forthcoming barangay fiesta.
He said the clearing activity is also in line with the directive of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) prohibiting the planting of trees along the roadside.
The amicable settlement was made after Labto complained to the police regarding the cutting of her planted trees.
She clarified that she is not running after the money but the fruit-bearing trees that could benefit the residents around as well as the environment.
The administrator has promised to settle the amount in three staggered payments.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct an inventory of all fruit-bearing trees that are being cut.
