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Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Militants dare Arroyo to declare total log ban
THE National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao has challenged the Arroyo government to declare a total log in Mindanao to prove it is serious in protecting and preserving the environment.
Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, NDF spokesman for Mindanao, said that along with many medium-sized logging companies, the biggest and worst destroyers of Mindanao forests are the so-called "legal loggers."
Ka Oris named Picop Resources Inc., which is controlled by the Bernardino family and covers 270,000 hectares of timber concession in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Compostela Valley provinces.
Others include Nasipit and Anakan Lumber Company, which covers 171,700 hectares in Agusan Del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces; Woodland Domain Inc. (54,000 hectares) in Agusan Del Sur; Puyat-owned Surigao Development Corp. in Surigao del Sur; Aras-Asan Timber Corporation in Surigao del Sur; Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) and the Timber License Agreement.
These schemes, Ka Oris said, are being used by the government as smokescreens for wanton forest destruction.
He said these concessionaires would not thrive without the protection from the military, politicians and the DENR.
The NDF official said timber industry is not only a big source campaign funds, it is also an instrument to perpetuate the influence and power of the ruling elite at the expense of the masses.
During disasters, the most affected is not the affluent class but the poor sector.
The NDF spokesman challenged the present administration to impose a total log ban nationwide, revoke all timber license agreements, IFMA and other schemes that legalize the continued rape of mountains and forests.
He said government must also stop all illegal logging activities by "prosecuting all illegal loggers, AFP and PNP personnel, politicians and DENR officials who connive, consort, co-finance, and protect illegal logging." (AZ)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos. Click here.
(This section is updated every Monday)
(February 7, 2005 issue)
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