SC asks gov’t to comment on writ of kalikasan petition over flood control projects

The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the Office of the President and other agencies to comment on a petition seeking the issuance of a writ of kalikasan for a “massive environment cleanup” amid the controversy surrounding anomalous flood control projects.

In a resolution dated September 30, the SC En Banc required the OP and other respondents to comment on the resolution within 10 days from notice.

The other respondents are Congress, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metro Manila Development Authority, River Basin Control Office, all local government units, and all contractors involved in flood control projects.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Office of the President and other government agencies for comment and will publish their responses once available.

In a statement forwarded by DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran, the DBM said it has received a copy of the petition for a writ of kalikasan as well as the SC's directive ordering them to file their comment within 10 days.

"Consistent with procedure, we have referred the matter to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which represents the government in such cases. As informed by the OSG, they received the notice from the Supreme Court yesterday," the DBM said.

It maintained that the DBM "fully supports all initiatives that seek to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in government – especially those aimed at curbing corruption and ensuring that public funds are used properly and efficiently."

"The DBM reiterates its commitment to upholding good governance and proper fiscal management in all government projects and programs," it added.

The petition for a writ of kalikasan was filed by several lawyers and environmentalists in September. 

They asked the SC to direct the government to conduct a massive clean-up of the environment; disclose and locate the master plan for flood control in the country or design one; and to recommend to Congress to codify the National Land Use Plan.

Lawyer Ariel Inton, one of the petitioners, welcomed the resolution requiring the respondents' comment on the petition.

“We seek to hold government officials accountable for the alleged neglect and corruption in flood control projects that are harmful to the environment,” he told GMA News Online.

Inton said their petition seeks to address “long years of neglect” and “willful” destruction of the environment, which was made worse by anomalous ghost flood control projects. — JMA, GMA Integrated News