Mindanao political, religious leaders seek lifting of log ban

Several religious and political leaders from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, Sultan Kudarat, Kidapawan and Cotabato City have asked President Arroyo to lift the logging moratorium in selected areas of Mindanao as they cited the need to fully promote sustainable development of the forests for the benefit of their constituents.

Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Enerio Cerilles, Zamboanga City Mayor Cesar Lobregat, Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, Msgr. Crisanto de la Cruz, Rev. Fr. Sandro Brambilla, Sirawai and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte Mayors Romeo Carino and Cesar Soriano; Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Suharto Mangudadatu, Kidapawan Bishop Romulo G. Valles, and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo endorsed the lifting of the logging moratorium covering their areas.

In a letter addressed to the President and coursed through Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Michael T. Defensor; the spiritual and political leaders cited the need to provide more livelihood opportunities to their flock otherwise fully unreached by national government assistance.

Cerilles said legitimate and responsible Industrial Forest Management Agreement holders and forest plantation owners in the region have not only provided employment to thousands of people in the uplands who have no other means of livelihood but have also provided development to communities otherwise unreached by government infrastructure and other social and civic supports.

These helped curb the recruitment of insurgents in the region, said Cerilles, who is also the chairman of the Peace and Order Council of Region IX.

Cerilles added that the economic opportunities provided by the Sirawai Plywood and Lumber Corp and the Sodaco Agricultural Corporation under the Dacon group of companies have in many ways addressed the problems of peace and order in the region.

Zamboanga City Mayor Cesar Lobregat, on the other hand, urged the national government leaders to take time out and visit the areas managed by the Dacon Group of Companies and actually find out for themselves how they manage the area leased to them by the government.

Lobregat added that the people of Zamboanga do not want responsible stewards of the forest to leave the province because of the devastation that happened in Quezon and Aurora provinces which led to the policy of suspending all cutting permits nationwide.

Arch. Carmelo Morelos, on the other hand, expressed concern over the adverse effects of he suspension of cutting operations on the well managed forest of the Zamboanga Peninsula on his flock who now face an insecure future.

The archbishop noted that the biggest solid patch of forest in the peninsula is the result of years of forest protection, responsible extraction and sustainable plantation development conducted by said IFMA holders.