Guv imposes moratorium on logging permit

Thursday, January 26, 2012

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday called for a 60-day suspension of the logging activities of a private company in the uplands of the southern town of Alcoy.

Marian Development Corp. has a 25-year forest lease under an Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) on 231 hectares of land in Alcoy.

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Juanito Ramos Pua, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) forest resources consultation division officer, said Marian Development Corp., owned by Teresa Manguerra, can cut trees it planted in the IFMA area.

Marian Development Corp.’s IFMA expired in September 2009 but this was renewed for another 25 years in May 2010.

Alcoy Vice Mayor Antonio Plando complained that the local government was not consulted about the IFMA renewal.

Plando asked for a meeting with the governor, Manguerra and DENR to discuss the issue.

In the meeting yesterday, Garcia called for a “ceasefire” in the cutting of trees in Alcoy.

During the 60-day suspension, the governor required Marian Development Corp. to continue planting trees in its IFMA area.

Alcoy, on the other hand, should push through with its eco-tourism plans.

Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy, who attended the meeting, said the Municipal Government and Marian Development Corp. “agreed to talk some more and possibly work out a compromise.”

He said Manguerra agreed to the suspension of cutting activities and expressed an intention to attend the Municipal Government’s planning session on Feb. 16, which is meant to “incorporate the IFMA with the tourism plans of Alcoy.”

Sitoy said it was also agreed during the meeting that Manguerra can bring down logs from the IFMA area.

The provincial legislator will also attend the town’s planning session.

Pua said Marian Development Corp. has the right to harvest trees from its forest plantation.

Under the conditions of the IFMA, he said, the firm can only cut down trees it planted. It is not allowed to cut residual and naturally-grown trees.

In 2004, the Alcoy Municipal Government accused Marian Development Corp. of illegal logging and confiscated logs found in the private firm’s area.

Manguerra said that through IFMA, Marian Development Corp. helps the government reforest denuded mountains.

Manguerra, who also owns Manguerra Mining and Development Corp., said the confiscated logs came from Marian Development Corp.’s IFMA-covered tree plantation, which they harvested after 20 years.