Illegal developments blamed for depleting forest covers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has blamed the depleting forest resources to “irresponsible” acts and developments.

DENR-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo cited among others the illegal cutting of trees, kaingin, and encroaching protected areas.

“Our forests have become the critical habitats because of exploitation brought about by the irresponsible development, encroachment of illegal settlers, cutting of tress among othes,” Llamedo said.

DENR earlier reported that Central Visayas’ forest covers are depleting due to illegal tree cutting and timber harvesting. Cebu province, for instance, only has 25 to 30 percent remaining forest cover, which means the province needs approximately 40 million trees to enrich its biodiversity.

The region needs about 100 million of trees to recoup the denuded forest covers. DENR is urging the public to help in protecting and preserving the forest and entire ecosystem.

‘We have to urge our communities to protect our forests by not cutting them to be sued as firewood, lumber or charcoal particularly those in timberland or protected areas,” Llamedo said.

He emphasized that forests are home to various plants and animals.

He said if illegal activities will continue not only the biodiversity will be affected but also the entire human race because food security and water resources may also be threatened.

Llamedo said it is now the time to gear up and address this issue by encouraging local communities to report illegal forest activities.  The public, he said, can also volunteer as “Bantay lasang” to help in the conduct of monitoring, planting and growing of trees.

Executive Order (EO) No. 23 was issued by President Benigno Aquino III to address forest denudation and environmental degradation; to protect remaining trees and increasing forest cover; to uphold intergeneration responsibility to protect the environment and to prevent further destruction wrought by natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Cebu’s eco-tourism activities, trade and commerce may be booming but some of its forest areas are reportedly becoming critical habi-tats for endangered species.

This was revealed in the study conducted by Edmund Leo Rico, executive director of the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI). The study was presented during the Biodiversity Summit held in Cebu City.

The study showed that though the province has abundant variety of animal and plant species, these are already depleting in number mainly due to pollution, exploitation and climate change affecting their habitats.  Some of these important resources are the Cebu Flowerpecker, Cebu Black Shama and Cebu Cinnamon, which are either threatened or endemic species.

Rico, however, said there are also areas of forest cover that remain stable. He recommended for the crafting of a short, medium and long-term strategies to connect the remaining forest patches especially in southern Cebu.

He further advised stakeholders to take precautionary measures during the implementation of any conservation plans to avoid disturbances of the species.  The summit served as venue for different institutions and stakeholders to discuss conservation measures for the province’s natural resources. It was organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in collaboration with the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture.

The summit aimed to establish ecological measures for future management planning and to develop a participatory conservation system with the local government units, conservation organizations and the communities.

Representatives from the local government units in the province, students and faculty from Cebu Normal University and Cebu Technological University are among the participants to the event.  The Provincial Information Office said the Capitol does not want to compromise its rich deposits of natural resources amid massive development in province. — Kristine B. Quintas and Michael Vencynth H. Braga/FPL (FREEMAN)