ESP renews call for total log ban

The Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) is renewing its call for a total logging ban on all remaining forests, a position it first espoused some 15 years ago.

According to ESP, many lives have been lost since, not to mention the billions worth of damage to the economy, environment, agricultural lands, and communities all over the country.

In a statement, ESP said: The recent typhoon that ravaged Baguio and cut all roads to Northern Luzon was one of the most devastating typhoons in years. And they will only get stronger as global warming and climate change compound the situation."

Antonio M. Claparols, ESP president and regional councilor of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, said: "We call on our leaders to protect our remaining forests and cancel all the remaining (TLA) timber license agreements. The President should have the political will to protect and conserve our environment and implement all our environmental laws.

"How many more lives must be lost, how many more communities and villages must be destroyed, how much more damage must this country bear before somebody takes charge? Now is the time for the leaders of this country to give its citizens environmental food security – not only for today’s generation but more important, for those still unborn."