NGO network backs total logging ban for 25 years

The Philippine Partnership for Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) declared recently its position on logging and mining: total logging ban for 25 years. It also expressed disappointment over the change of heart of the country’s Supreme Court to rule in favor of foreign corporations to mine the country’s forests even as Infanta, General Nakar, Real and Dingalan in Quezon were ravaged by flood and landslides because of deteriorating conditions of Sierra Madre.

PhilDHRRA is a national network of non-government organizations involved in the development of rural areas and committed to the pursuit of equitable peace and justice by promoting venues with which marginal communities can build themselves up as productive stakeholders in national development.

Another group – Northern Luzon Social Action Commission (NLSAC) – lamented the Supreme Court’s reversed decision on the 1995 Mining Act, particularly that of the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) which gives foreign firms the right to destroy the country’s natural resources. The decision comes in the midst of the extensive devastation of three strong typhoons.

"In behalf of the poor indigenous peoples and other marginalized sectors who will surely be displaced and robbed off their lands through this decision we appeal to the SC and the government to reconsider this reversed decision," says the statement signed by NLSAC chairman and bishop of Bayombong Ramon B. Villena, DD, NLSAC executive secretary Sister Ma. Eden Orlino, SPC and 26 other diocese representatives from Northern Luzon.

On the part of the PhilDHRRA, while their statements commend the Office of the President for issuing Executive Order 318 to promote a community-based sustainable forest management, they are dismayed by an earlier Executive order 270 amending EO270-A revitalizing mining in the Philippines as a strategy for national development and poverty alelviation against popular sentiments.

While the organization also commends the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for vowing to run after the arrests illegal loggers, it supports the call for a moratorium on commercial logging for at least 25 years. It also advocates the review and revocation of existing forests management agreements especially those that give license to harvest timber for commercial purposes to give enough time for the country‘s forests to rehabilitate through a more sustainable and community-based forest management strategy.

Finally, the two organizations call on people organizations in upland areas and local governments units to be vigilant on guarding their forests and government entities to look after the concerns of the country and the people rather than foreign interests.