The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has petitioned the Court of Appeals (CA) to cite former Baguio representative Nicasio Aliping Jr. for contempt over alleged violations of a Permanent Environmental Protection Order (PEPO) covering the Mount Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve.
In its 14 October 2025, petition, the DENR claimed that Aliping, who is also a lawyer, continued construction and improvements on a property inside the protected watershed area despite a court ban in place since 2015. The CA issued both the PEPO and a Writ of Kalikasan a decade ago to halt all development within Mount Sto. Tomas.
According to the DENR-Cordillera, Aliping requested clearance in August 2023 to “renovate” his house within the forest reserve. However, subsequent inspections in 2024 and 2025 revealed the construction of new concrete and metal structures, exceeding the scope of simple repairs.
During an inspection in April 2025, DENR officers reportedly met Aliping’s brother, Gil, who said he managed the property. Gil Aliping told inspectors the area was used for family gatherings and student day trips, denying it operated as a business.
The DENR also reported that its team was prevented from inspecting nearby parcels allegedly purchased by another Aliping brother, Brian, for potential development.
The agency asserted that the observed activities violated the 2015 court order and national forestry laws. As a result, it recommended issuing a Cease-and-Desist Order and a Notice of Violation against Aliping.
In addition to seeking contempt charges, the DENR asked the Court of Appeals to order the demolition of new structures built inside the forest reserve.
Aliping has yet to respond to the DENR’s petition.
He served as Baguio City’s representative from 2013 to 2016.