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Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Environment dep't asked to look into illegal logging activities
THE Provincial Government of South Cotabato tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into the rampant illegal logging activities in Koronadal City.
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes requested the DENR in Central Mindanao to conduct an investigation and make an inventory of all protected tree species in the El Gawel protected area and watershed forest reserve in Barangay Saravia.
Fuentes said the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) should check the extent of the damage in the protected area and account for the remaining endangered tree species such as Lawaan and Narra that thrive in the area.
She cited that based on initial reports reaching her office, a major portion of the area has already been destroyed by illegal logging.
Illegal logging is allegedly being backed by prominent personalities in the province.
"Only a small number of the endangered tree species are reportedly currently standing in the area and I want to know exactly how many trees were destroyed," said Fuentes.
Initially, Fuentes said they already have a tip as to who are behind the illegal activity "which appear to have the backing of some law enforcers."
She said elements from the Tupi police station stopped a truckload of illegally cut logs coming from El Gawel at a checkpoint in the town proper.
"But it later turned out that the vehicle was released and no cases were filed against the owner of the logs. The police station also never reported the seizure to the Cenro," she said.
Fuentes said she asked provincial director Supt. Edgar Valdellon to conduct an investigation about the matter and determine the possible involvement of police personnel from Tupi in the illegal activity.
The El Gawel watershed forest reserve, which covers at least a thousand hectares, was declared a protected area several years ago through a presidential proclamation.
Amy Reyes, Penro-South Cotabato planning officer, said that such proclamation "focuses on the protection and preservation of various rare plant and wildlife species and their habitat in the area."
She said that as a result of the proclamation of El Gawel as protected area, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was forged between the DENR and Koronadal for the protection and preservation of the area.
Reyes said the MOA also paved the way for the creation of a watershed management council.
Fuentes said she will meet with officials of the DENR and of Koronadal on Wednesday to shed more light on the matter, and that she would not hesitate to file criminal and administrative charges against anyone who has a hand in the illegal logging in the area.
(November 24, 2004 issue)
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