Cordillerans hail log ban

MANILA, Philippines –  Civic and religious leaders in the Cordilleras lauded and expressed full support to President Aquino’s announcement of a total log ban.

“This is in response to the massive rally held last Jan. 29 in Apayao by environmentalists, civic, and religious leaders calling for a stop to the continuing deforestation of our once virgin forests,” Fr. Philip Ube of Pudtol said.

Local provincial and municipal officials tried to stop the massive rally using military and police checkpoints to prevent participants to the rally, but the rally pushed through nonetheless.

NGO lawyer Amado Almanza, a former Commission on Human Right regional director, said he is filing a formal complaint with the PNP and DILG questioning why military and police personnel allowed themselves to be used by a powerful political family in the province to prevent the holding of the peaceful public hearing.

Concerns about illegal logging and indiscriminate mining have been prevalent in the six Cordillera provinces namely Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province.

However, except for Apayao and Abra, environmental and civic groups in the other provinces have been vigilant in opposing and rallying against the indiscriminate destruction of their forest covers and mineral resources.

Bishop Talamayan of Tuguegarao, Bishop Andaya of Kalinga, and Almazan are leading the fight against illegal loggers to include NGO and other civic organization.