Environment Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday blamed corruption as among the reasons for the rapid deterioration of the country’s environment.
Atienza admitted that, for instance, the issuance of licenses and permits, especially concerning timber, has become the “milking cow” or money-making instrument of some crooked employees since bribery usually marks transactions involving such permits.
However, Atienza vowed to make transactions of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), especially on the issuance of logging permits, transparent, as he stressed the pressing significance of acting decisively to protect the environment from the negative impacts of global warming or climate change, notably to island nations like the Philippines.
“I can’t say we are 100 percent bribery-free or corruption-free, but we will be very sensitive on corruption, bribery, and special privileges from DENR as we’d like to protect every inch of our motherland, for the benefit of all,” Atienza said.
“But now we see that one of the main reasons for environmental degradation is corruption, we’re stressing on it. If we can make (this) agency corruption-free, and the dealings transparent, then we would really be more effective,” he also said.
According to Atienza, it has been common knowledge that there were instances in the past when licenses and permits were being “sold” or “issued for a price” even in areas where permits should not have been granted.
“That’s why our forests become bald. Even if there is a log ban, the circumvention of the law continues,” Atienza lamented.
Atienza announced that for 2008, he will lead efforts to put a stop to such illegal and corrupt practices in the DENR in order to better protect the country’s forests.
He stressed that this time around, businessmen “will have to follow the law” while DENR employees, particularly field personnel, have to obey the guidelines “to the letter.”
“We will definitely not allow anyone to get any special privilege from the DENR. We will make sure that all existing forest covers (are) not only protected, but even improved. And we can’t do this if we’ll be giving 50,000 hectares to be logged by anybody. Imagine, one concessionaire getting 50,000 hectares?” Atienza said.
“Businessmen will be part of the effort, and they will realize that when they deal with us, they’ll be dealt with in the most transparent manner. The guidelines we issued today will be followed to the letter by our people in the field. Businessmen will also have to follow the law. They can’t try to pull a fast one. I’ll be very careful along this line,” Atienza added.