Bais City Mayor Mercedes Teves-Goni has dared the Department of Environment & Natural Resources to charge her in court for her decision to clear the mouth of the Tamogong River of mangroves.
Goni issued the challenge in a press conference Wednesday, as she defended her decision to protect the lives of residents who would be in danger because of the threat of floods from Typhoon Ruby.
“There are too many mangroves at the mouth of the river,” she said, adding that she will not hesitate to cut the mangroves which threaten the lives of Baisanons.
The DENR had earlier told the Mayor not to cut the mangroves because of an ongoing inventory.
However, Goni stood pat on her decision, saying she could not wait for the inventory to be completed because the typhoon was fast approaching.
“I will answer those who will question the cutting of mangroves. Trees can be replaced, but lives cannot,” she said.
Goni said the City’s resources are being concentrated on the areas of Mojon, San Jose, and BLISS, areas which also had floods reaching as high as 1.8 meters after Tropical Depression Queenie dumped heavy rain last week.
