Gwen suspended again!

I remember sending my radio reporter to Lusaran Dam to cover the colorfully painted rocks that went viral on social media last year.

- Atty. Ruphil Bañoc

The attention it drew prompted the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to order their removal.

CCENRO officer Reymar Hijara stated that painting the rocks surrounding the dam is prohibited and punishable under existing environmental protection laws. CCENRO vowed to hold accountable the Barangay Lusaran officials who will be found responsible for the incident due to its environmental impacts.

If painting rocks is prohibited, how much more the removal of truckloads of sand and gravel from a protected area, like the Mananga River system in Camp 4, Talisay City, Cebu?

This is the basis of the bombshell news that broke this week on the Ombudsman's order preventively suspending Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia. Garcia issued a special quarry permit to Shalom Construction without requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and other necessary papers.