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Thursday, March 17, 2005
Guv hopeful logging to be allowed in N. Cotabato
NORTH Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol is hopeful that North Cotabato will be the next region where selective logging will be allowed, following the partial lifting of the log ban in the regions of Caraga and 11.
"My province has never figured in any illegal logging activities because I always warn my people not to engage in it. I think we already showed them that we truly are obeying the rules. This I think is enough reason for them to lift the ban and moratorium," Piñol said.
Pinol is backing up the move of local wood processors for the lifting of the moratorium on the issuance of wood processing plant (WPP) permits in the province of North Cotabato.
In a memorandum dated March 7, 2005, Governor Piñol requested President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to direct Environment Secretary Michael T. Defensor in lifting the suspension of the processing of new applications for WPP permits in the province.
The moratorium took effect last July 22, 2003. In his memorandum to the President, Piñol said that the continuation of the moratorium will have a negative impact on the expanding fruit industry in the province which is very much dependent on the wood processors for their fruit crates requirement.
The moratorium will also lead to the loss of jobs for hundreds who depend on the local wood processing industry for their livelihood, he said.
The local wood processor's move for the resumption of the issuance of wpp permits started April of last year when small-scale wood processors from the Palma Alliance municipalities of Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap and Aleosan submitted a disposition letter addressed to then DENR Secretary Elisea G. Gozun requesting for the lifting of the moratorium.
The Provincial Board supported the move through Resolution No. 418.
Gozun was replaced by Defensor as the environment secretary before she could approve the request.
The deadly flashfloods that hit the provinces of Aurora and Quezon have forced the government to declare a total log ban in most regions of the country. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (March 17, 2005 issue)
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