New law imposes log ban in Negros district

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has signed into law Republic Act 9741, which strictly imposes a logging ban in the third district of Negros Occidental.

House Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, Deputy Speaker for Women Amelita Villarosa, and the principal author of the bill, Bacolod Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, witnessed Tuesday’s signing of the new law which supports the campaign of President Arroyo against climate change.

“The President is very sensitive to the issue of climate change and she wanted to deliver a message to all of us congressmen on the importance of preserving the environment in addressing climate change,” Lacson said.

Mrs. Arroyo signed last month the landmark Republic Act 9729 or the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 that creates a powerful body that would formulate and implement plans for the country to better prepare and respond to natural disasters as well as attract much-needed foreign financing for adaptation and risk reduction projects.

Lacson said the new law calls for the implementation of a total logging ban in the third district of Negros Occidental, which includes the towns and cities of Silay, Talisay, Victorias, Enrique Magalona, and Murcia.

With the President’s signing of RA 9741, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations.

Lacson said although there is no illegal logging problem yet in his district, the law is expected to prevent the occurrence of such activities in Negros Occidental.

The new law defines logging as the “process, work or business of cutting down trees for commercial purposes.”

Lacson expressed hope that with the new anti-logging law, other provinces will eventually take steps to protect the environment.