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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Logging firm resumes operation in Davao Oriental
THE controversial Matuguina Integrated Wood Products Inc. has resumed operation in Davao Oriental last month, said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) director for Southern Mindanao Ricardo Calderon during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Monday.
Calderon said the logging company resumed operation in April and it still has remaining three years before its Timber License Agreement expires.
He said the DENR is now strictly monitoring the operation of Matuguina in the province to ensure that the company complies with all the terms and conditions set in the agreement.
Matuguina's license is the only one remaining in the region.
Former DENR secretary Michael Defensor ordered the lifting of the suspension of the logging firm's on June 5, 2005. This was however recalled by Defensor few months after.
The license of Matuguina was first suspended 20 years ago, specifically on July 15, 1986, by then Ministry of Natural Resources headed by former senator Ernesto Maceda.
According to a letter of Matuguina president Juan Correlo, the license was suspended due to poor performance in reforestation activities.
The suspension stayed despite repeated attempts to have it lifted during the last 19 years.
On March 23 last year, Correlo requested Defensor "to allow Matuguina to recommence its operations under the license and that the suspension be permanently lifted subject to existing and applicable rules and regulations."
Despite attempts of the office of Davao Oriental Governor Ma. Elena Palma Gil to assist the logging company, municipal and barangay officials of Caraga and Baganga are opposing logging activities in their remaining forests.
The officials noted this opposition especially if the remaining forests would be logged by a group that would only bring out the logs raw and not process the same in their area so that residents would be benefited in terms of employment and circulation of money locally.
The Matuguina area, covered by the Timber License Agreement, is reportedly located in the towns of Baganga and Caraga in Davao Oriental.
Matuguina is owned by Davao logger Henry Wee but later sold to loggers in Luzon, particularly the Isabela group that is allegedly fronted by Victor Ang.
However, documents of the logging firm are still reportedly in the name of Wee, who had been attempting to convert the suspended license agreement into an Integrated Forest Management Agreement. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 23, 2006 issue)
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