Environmentalists Demand a Stop to Commercial Logging Operations in Davao Oriental; Challenges Noynoy

Davao City --- Environmental rights network PANALIPDAN  Davao Oriental Chapter demanded here today that  commercial logging in Davao Oriental be permanently  stopped and that PhilYoubang Mining Corporation, a  Chineese Mining Firm,  be penalized for its brazen  logging operations in Brgy Macambol in Mati.

In a fact finding mission in Sitio Sopsopon, Brgy  Macambol in Mati town last June 9, PANALIPDAN – Davao Oriental   found out that Philippine Youbang Mining Corp. which  has a mining permit to mine 1,000 has in Mati has also  been doing extensive logging operations in the area.

Sr. Stella Matutina, osb, spokesperson of Panalipdan  Davao Oriental said, “Philyoubang’s logging operations  are destructive to the environment. Mostly, they cut  Magkuno or iron wood, Banile and other premium species  like Tangile. They cut century-old wood and completely  uproot the whole tree including the stumps.  From what  was seen in their logdeck, more than 1000 cubic meters  already have been cut and harvested by this company.”

The fact finding mission team also observed that  Philyoubang’s operations has damaged second growth  trees and other species in Sitio Sopsopon, Brgy  Macambol which is located between two protected areas  -- Pujada Bay Protected Seascape and Mt. Hamiguitan  Range, a government – declared “wildlife sanctuary”  based on Republic Act No. 9303 or the Mt. Hamiguitan  Range and Wildlife Sanctuary Act.

PANALIPDAN hence fears that Philyoubangs logging and  consequently, mining operations will cause severe  damage to these sanctuaries and their resident  species.

For instance, Mt. Hamiguitan hosts around four hundred  (400) hectares of "pygmy forests", exotic plants and  wild animals. Rattan, timber and non-timber products  which are the sources of community livelihood is also  abundant here.

Philyoubang claims to hold a Private Land Timber  Permit which was awarded to it by the Regional office  of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources  (DENR). However, PANALIPDAN SMR insists that this  permit should never have been given at all due to the  critical location of Brgy Macambol.

For his part, Francis Morales of PANALIPDAN Southern  Mindanao also lashed at the DENR for allowing and  giving the company ‘s permit to mine the area.

“Along with the permit to mine the area, mining  companies are also given timber rights. Its part of  the whole destructive cycle of large scale mining.  They have to shave off the mountains to be mined so  this doubles their earnings,” said Morales.   

He also added that, “ with this, the local communities  are at the losing end all the time. They suffer from  the loss of a valuable forest cover, and the  extinction  of animal species in their area while  these plunderers earn from our timber and from the  mineral resources.”

Morales said the DENR regional office is also  accountable for the destruction caused by Philyoubang.

“The DENR has long known that there is massive illegal  and commercial logging operations in Davao Oriental  but it has no guts to stand up against the   politicians, military and police coddling these  companies or syndicates,” Morales said.

Amidst the continued exposes revealing wanton illegal  commercial logging activities since early 1990’s in  the province, doubts have always hounded the  provincial and national government.

Still the people and the church’s vigilance against  the massive logging in the gulf and east coast is  unyielding.

The question and the challenge being hurled by  PANALIPDAN and other environmental  groups to the  incoming President Noynoy Aquino is, will there ever  be a sincere step towards protecting our resources and  environment under his watch?

“We challenge Pres. Noynoy. He said he will eradicate  corruption and one of the most lucrative businesses in  the country is the plunderous activities like mining  and logging. We demand that this be resolved as soon  as possible lest we regret everything when we become  the next to suffer from mudslides and landslides that  killed thousands in Quezon or Ormoc,”   said Morales.#