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Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Speak out: CBFMA cancellation
By baliwagan fishermen association of balamban, malhao resource management and multi-purpose cooperative of badian, cabiangon panaghiusa association and lamac multi-purpose cooperative of pinamungajan, and alimango multi-purpose cooperative of maribojoc, bohol.
(This letter is addressed to Environment Secretary Michael Defensor.)
We are representatives of five people’s organizations (POs) that have entered into Community-based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMAs) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
We request you to reconsider your decision to unilaterally cancel all CBFMAs nationwide and withdraw your Nov. 30, 2005 memorandum that ordered all DENR regional offices to implement the cancellation of our CBFMAs.
We are hurt by the sweeping generalization of non-compliance and low performance on our part. We were able to guard and protect the mangrove and timberland in our areas, even before our CBFMAs.
No evaluation
We have not been part of any evaluation nor were we made aware of such activity by the DENR and the local government units (LGUs) in our areas. We have not seen the evaluation reports rating us with low performance, which you used as basis for the cancellation.
This cancellation is a blatant disregard of the processes stipulated in Section 1 Article 8 of DENR Administration Order 96-29 which states: “Compliance by the PO with the terms and conditions of the CSC/CBFMA shall be monitored and evaluated by the DENR and the concerned LGU. The findings shall be discussed with the PO, including the recommended solutions to address the problem, if any….”
The same section stipulates that cancellation of CBFMAs must be done only when the “beneficiary/PO continue to commit gross violations of the CSC/CBFMA; other than that, only suspension must apply.”
“In the event of non-compliance with or continued violations of the terms of the agreement despite the lapse of six months from the date of notification about such infraction or non-compliance, the POs permits to utilize and transport forest products and other natural resources shall be suspended for at least six months to not more than one year,” the same order said.
Exploitation
We are worried about what will happen to the mangrove and timberland areas under our CBFMAs upon cancellation. This might lead to exploitation and destruction of these areas. We are particularly concerned that the cancellation is timed with DAO 24, which opens up idle and unproductive coastal areas for business ventures. The areas under community management might end up under business and corporate control.
We are going to comply with the requirements to prevent the cancellation of our individual CBFMAs by submitting our motions for reconsideration.
But we also ask you to reconsider the validity of your memorandum given that our communities have the right to a healthy and balanced environment as well as a prior right to the utilization of our resources in line with the social justice provision of our Constitution.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 24, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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