Arroyo justifies selective lifting of log ban

Thousands of poor families are expected to benefit from the lifting of a logging ban in three regions in Mindanao.

In a statement, President Arroyo said her decision to allow "selective legal logging" in Region 9, Region 11 and Caraga was prompted by the need to "maintain precious jobs" in areas without "alternative means of enterprise and livelihood."

"I have authorized the selective lifting of the log ban because thousands of poor families are suffering in areas where alternative means of livelihood are not yet available," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo imposed a ban on logging throughout the country last December after floods and landslides, blamed on forest deforestation, left hundreds of people dead in Luzon.

Secretary Michael Defensor of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already lifted the suspension of logging in Region 11 and Caraga.

Region 11 is made up of the provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte, while Caraga is made up of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

Region 9 is made up of the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Defensor said the lifting of the logging ban in the three regions signals the start of government efforts at forest management.

He said the DENR chose to lift the ban in Region 11 and Caraga primarily because the good rainfall in both regions helps promote forest growth.

"We chose Davao and Caraga because, based on the study we conducted, the rainfall is good in these areas throughout the year. There’s no storm and the people in these areas know how to guard the forest since all their jobs or businesses are wood-based," he said.

Defensor said the lifting of the log ban will save 2 million jobs and P20 billion in timber import bills.

He said 250,000 hectares of forest areas in Region 11 and Caraga are covered by logging permits.

Defensor said critics pushing for a "total" log ban should have the law amended.

"We are just following the law. This arrangement came up because we would be violating the law if we go on with the total logging ban," he said.

But Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel feared the resumption of logging operations in the three regions would wipe out Mindanao’s remaining forest cover.

"This is a skewed policy that will add to the problems of Mindanao. Instead of lifting the log ban, we should intensify the reforestation of badly denuded areas. We should not wait for landslides or floods to come up and make us change our minds," he said. — With reports from Katherine Adraneda, Christina Mendez, AFP