Aquino issues EO 23 on indefinite log ban

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino yesterday declared an indefinite log ban all over the country.

Aquino issued Executive Order 23 implementing the indefinite log ban and creating an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to be headed by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje.

Aquino authorized the release of P10 million as seed fund for the task force. The initial budget would be sourced from the Department of Budget and Management with additional funds to be cleared by the President.

Aquino tasked Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Ricardo David to help the task force in implementing the indefinite log ban all over the country.

“The task force is mandated to take the lead in the anti-illegal logging campaign and ensure the implementation of this executive order under the supervision of the DENR. It shall also assist the DENR in the enforcement of other environmental laws,” the order read in part.

The moratorium shall remain in effect “unless lifted after the effectivity of this EO.”

EO 23, entitled “Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the national and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force,” was issued in light of widespread flooding and landslides in Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and Bicol where scores of people have died and were displaced.

The President earlier said illegal logging continues to be the main culprit of landslides in these areas that cause significant loss of life and damage to property.

Under the EO, the DENR would be restricted from issuing logging permits and contracts “in all natural and residual forests,” including renewing tree cutting permits in all forests all over the country.

The only exceptions to the log ban are those that involve the “clearing of road right of way, site preparation for tree plantations… provided that all logs derived from these permits shall be turned over to DENR for proper disposal.”

Cutting of trees that have been part of cultural activities of indigenous peoples “may be allowed only subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines of the DENR,” the EO stated.

The EO also tasked the DENR to prohibit the operation of sawmills, veneer plants and other wood processing plants “that are unable to present proof of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for a period of at least five years within one month from effectivity of this EO.”

The President also tasked other agencies to support the task force and assist in the discharge of its functions.

This support, as provided in the four-page executive order, is “not limited to the provision of administrative or technical assistance, logistical support and detail of personnel.”

The environmental activist group Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment led by Clemente Bautista Jr. said Aquino should immediately implement a total log ban.

“The people have suffered too much because of unabated logging and deforestation in the country,” Bautista said. –-Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) with Rhodina Villanueva