DENR prodded to cancel largest logging permit

DENR prodded to cancel largest logging permit


Manila Bulletin
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA
January 13, 2010, 2:54pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/238284/denr-prodded-cancel-largest-logging-permit


Copies of at least 20,000 signatures of affected residents who are seeking the immediate cancellation of the largest logging permit issued in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) was received Tuesday by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Quezon City.


Accompanied by the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), some residents of Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental delivered the copies of signatures for the immediate cancellation of the logging permit issued to local logging firm Southwoods Timber Corporation (STC).


Copies of the signature campaign were also delivered to the DENR-Forest Management Bureau (FMB) in Quezon City.


In a press statement, LRC-Cagayan de Oro City team leader Car Cesar Rebuta said efforts to cancel the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) awarded to STC stemmed from its underlying privileges of “abusing and profiteering” from at least 11,476 hectares of forest area in Mt. Minalwang in Misamis Oriental, allowing illegal logging to take place.


In a check with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Rebuta said STC is registered under the name of STC general manager Johnny Young.


LRC further said that the STC logging permit in the guise of tree plantation was issued last May 23, 2008.


“The IFMA permit issued is illegal as the Minalwang Higaonon Tribal Council (MIHITRICU), the IP community and Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holder within Minalwang area did not issue their community consent through an FPIC (Free Prior and Informed Consent) process as enshrined by the IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 2007),” it pointed out.


It said that there was no consent from the community, which it claimed was certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Region 10 (NCIP).


“In this case, the area of operation of STC within the Minalwang area which is more than 8,000 hectares and within the CADT of MIHITRICU is illegal,” the group said.


LRC further noted that the City Council of Gingoog endorsed a resolution last December 2007 favoring the Tree Plantation project of the STC, considering that all the requisites are fulfilled.


However, it said the city council revoked their endorsement and issued a resolution for the DENR Secretary to cancel the IFMA permit issued to STC in a special session last Dec. 28, 2009.


“The grant of IFMA would also destroy the critical area which is considered a watershed for the communities’ livelihood and everyday needs,” Rebuta said.


Last Dec. 24, Alberto “Berting” Pinagawa, a staunch advocate who fought against the encroachment in their traditional boundaries as one of the legitimate CADT holders, was killed.


LRC said the killing of Pinagawa is not an isolated case, because since 1988, the group documented at least 48 cases of Higaonon Tribal Leaders and Lumad who have been killed for being in the frontline of defense against human rights violations, development aggression and environmental
protection.


“The death of Pinagawa only fuels the fight against these large-scale industries, such as mining, logging, and plantations, who continue to defy the law with the help of the government and local government institutions and trample upon the rights to life, liberty and property of the masses, especially the Lumad.” LRC said.