Logging operations in Aurora suspended-DENR

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora, March 2, 2011-In line with Executive Order 23 issued by President Aquino directing a moratorium on tree-cutting in natural and residual forests nationwide, Ricardo Calderon, DENR regional executive director for Central Luzon said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended logging operations in the province, saying that logging activities of five (5) major logging concessionaires have been stopped.

He said that they have sealed all sawmills and have ordered pull out of all heavy equipments deployed in concession areas to ensure that the companies comply with the directive. Affected by the suspension order are the Industries Development Corporation (IDC) and sister firm RCC Timber Company Inc., CKY Trading, San Roque Sawmill, Benzon Realty Corp. and Pacific Timber Co.

IDC, whose president is Mr. Michael Ong who is considered the largest logging concessionaire in the province has an Integrated Forest Management Agreement covering 48,877 hectares in the northern towns of Dilasag and Casiguran which is to expire on December 5, 2026, adding that it also has log and lumber dealer permit which is set to expire on October 31, 2012.

Calderon’s letter to Ong stated that the IDC’s wood processing plant permits for sawmill and veneer, including log and lumber dealer permits are suspended pending review and evaluation of its area and operation.

Alfredo Collado, DENR community environment and natural resources officer for northern Aurora based in Barangay Calangcuasan, Casiguran, said that a composite team from the office of DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer Benjamin Mina and the CENRO have conducted an inventory of the cut logs stockpiled in the IDC’s log ponds in Barangay Dibacong and Dinadiawan and in its cutting areas.

Calderon said that a regional task force will validate the results of the inventory and his office has started the deployment of Bantay-Gubat in concession areas where logging operations have been stopped. (Jason de Asis)




(Disclamer)
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