PENRO-Aklan chief to file countercharges vs Densing

media a copy of his complaint against 17 Aklan local officials over their alleged negligence in ensuring Boracay’s sustainability. One of the officials was Aklan’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office head Valentin Talabero. PINTEREST/911PH.COM

ILOILO City – Aklan’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head Valentin Talabero will file countercharges against Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary Epimaco Densing III in relation to the administrative and graft charges the latter has filed against him.

Talabero and 16 local officials in Aklan face charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly being negligent in ensuring the world-famous Boracay Island’s sustainability, which resulted to environmental problems, among others.

The other local officials were Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores, Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Malay vice mayor Abram Sualog, Sangguniang Bayan members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiyer Gallenero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumandad, Maylynn Aguirre-Graf, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron, Licensing Officer III Jen Salsona, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho, and barangay officials Hector Casidsid, Chona Gabay and Lilibeth Sacapaño.

Densing accused them of failing to perform their functions under Republic Act (RA) 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Talabero said the inclusion of his name in the list of respondents was “totally erroneous.”

As head of PENRO-Aklan, Talabero said he is under the DENR, not the provincial government, thus not covered by the mandate of RA 7160.

Talabero asserted that the DILG and the DENR are “separate agencies.”

“I was surprised why I was included…my colleagues in the DENR and my family nagalalaindako ang epekto, negative kaayo. Daw indi mo mabaton,” Talabero quipped.

DENR’s legal counsel Atty. Wilma Lagance said their legal team is studying Talabero’s case.

“The totally erroneous, baseless and irregular inclusion of PENRO as respondent has brought damaged to his name, career and family, and maligned his reputation as a person,” said Lagance.

Aside from dropping Talabero’s name in the list, Lagance said they will also demand for a public apology from Densing./PN

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