D.O.E. Says Road Works Didn’t Have Permits and Clearances!

So, what’s next for road construction?  As we’ve reported, the road would give access to lands in Riversdale where a big development is expected to be established.  When we spoke with Edgar Ek today, he shared that the project developers didn’t obtain any form of permits or clearances to build the road. He explains what documents are required before any kind of clearance is even considered for works to be done.

On the Phone: Edgar Ek, Deputy Chief Environmental Officer

“In terms of our requirements, and this is from the Department of Environment, would be for them to submit a purchase proposal to us, indicating the scope, the expense, the location of whatever development they want to do, like in this case, you mentioned, the road. Along with it they have to submit several supporting documents which include land tenure and company documents.”

Andrea Polanco

“And so, the D.O.E. never received any kind of documents for works like that to be done in that area?”

On the Phone: Edgar Ek

“No. Not for that particular development. We didn’t receive anything.  We didn’t manage to see the owner during the field visit, so we had to do that research at the Lands Department and now we have the documentation and the company documents and registry. So, we had to gather all that information and at the same time we are doing the evaluation of the process and the extent of the damage.”

Andrea Polanco

“Now, Mr. Ek, from what I had gathered on the ground, the road was being pushed through because there are plans to build a big hotel and possibly a housing development. Has the D.O.E. received any documents for any such proposed developments to the back of that area?”

On the Phone: Edgar Ek

“Not as far as I know.”