Only 4 logging firms issued permits in Aurora — DENR

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Michael Defensor dismissed claims yesterday that he issued permits to allow the resumption of logging operations in Aurora province.

Branding the charge as an "outright lie," Defensor clarified the DENR did in fact reactivate six Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMAs) in Aurora.

Defensor made the reaction to claims made by the Kalikasan-People’s Network group that the DENR had allowed logging operations to resume in provinces hit by deadly flashfloods and landslides last year.

The provinces of Quezon and Aurora were the worst hit by the typhoon-induced landslides resulting in over 2,000 fatalities and thousands more injured and homeless victims. The tragedy was primarily blamed on illegal logging activities.

According to Defensor, there are only four IFMAs in Aurora but the DENR did not act upon them.

"The six memoranda they are (claiming) is a lie, it is not true. Our documents would prove that," Defensor said.

Defensor admitted, however, that his department lifted the suspension of logging operations for Industries Development Corp. (IDC), granting an IFMA covering some 53,343 hectares in Aurora province, owing to the company’s "good performance."

"As for the IDC, the DENR allowed its operation because of its good performance as attested to by the local government and even the church and media there. The lifting of the suspension was done with validation of the NGO Tanggol Kalikasan," he added.

Defensor said the four IFMA-holders in Aurora are the IDC, Pateco, Top Lite, and Benson logging companies. Top Lite is reportedly currently pushing for the resumption of its logging operations but the DENR only allowed IDC to resume harvesting timber.

The DENR chief defended his decision on IDC, stressing that its operations were on the side of Quezon province that is opposite from where the tragic Nov. 29 flashfloods occurred.

"This is outright lying. The area they are talking about is far from where the IDC operates," he said.

"And before the DENR issues the lifting of the suspension in any place in the country, the agency makes sure that information gathered is validated with NGOs and LGUs, and endorsements from the local church and other stakeholders are also considered," Defensor said.

He added the DENR is currently undertaking the reforestation of Dingalan, a protected area, refuting the claims of Kalikasan-People’s Network that no reforestation has been done in Aurora.

"Some 80 percent of Aurora is covered by forest," Defensor said. "We have a reforestation program for Dingalan, and we are in fact prioritizing the reforestation of Dingalan because it was where the soil erosion took place," he said.

As for calls to revoke the Forestry Code of 1975, Defensor said Congress retains the authority to call for a total log ban.