Tuesday, November 11, 2008 Groups, individuals protest uprooting of mahogany trees
VARIOUS sectors, barangay officials, teachers and students have protested the illegal uprooting of around 600 mahogany trees inside the campus of Iloilo State College of Fisheries (Iscof) in Dumangas Iloilo without the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) permit.
The protesters recently expressed grievances during a press conference held in Dumangas for illegal uprooting of mahogany trees, which they said, are affecting the image of the said school. They said the uprooting was done without the permission of the administrative officer, who is the one taking care of the trees.
They called it "the massacre of trees in Dumangas, Iscof Campus."
The uprooting happened last October 22, after employees from the Municipal Government entered the school campus to uproot the more or less 15 meters mahogany trees planted there.
Former Iscof administrator Edenilo Empedrado said the mahogany trees were planted by Class 1952 at both extreme ends of the oval playground within the school campus to utilize the school's available land space.
The trees were also planted to promote and preserve the ecological balance of environment; to contribute towards the prevention of soil erosion, control of air pollution and fighting against global warming; and manifest the great concern for the development and progress of the school, Empedrado added.
Councilor Ian Dolendo meantime believes that the town Mayor Ronaldo Golez has something to do with the uprooting based on the documents.
Dolendo said the playground of Iscof-Dumangas campus will be used as venue for the 4th Congressional District meet. Thus, the 4th Congressional District Sports Association members believed the mahogany trees can hinder the said events, he said.
He, however, justifies that the trees could not hinder the said events, which will start Tuesday, "because the mahogany trees were planted at the extreme ends portion of the oval playground. The mahogany trees instead could be used as shelter to those who will watch the sports events."
It was learned that the mahogany trees were uprooted without the presence of the school and DENR officials.
The Sports Association reportedly wrote a letter to the DENR, which was noted by Mayor Golez dated October 20, 2008 and was received by the DENR last October 21, 2008.
"Those responsible had violated the DENR law because they uprooted two days before they sent a letter asking permission to uproot the mahogany tress, and I believe our mayor will be liable for this," Dolendo said.
For her part, Rose Doromal of the Women's Sector also expressed grievances that uprooting of trees is a legitimate issue and should be acted upon "because it affects our ecological system."
"This is not a political issue and we have to raise the level of consciousness that the young generation is supposedly the ones who will make use of these trees," she said.
Present during the press conference were youth council representative Imee Lago of Barangay Balabag, Nonoy Deduro from differently disabled persons, Minia Besas from Academe, Ed Defensor from Agrarian Reform, Pastor Levi Espada from religious sector, Borhot Diamante barangay captain of Bacong, and and Jerry Brondial of Rotary Club of Dumangas.
Diamante said that he is proposing for the creation of a committee that will investigate the said incident.
