A Lifetime for a Government Initiative

A LIFETIME FOR A GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

By Anton Antonio

November 26, 2015

Two days ago, I chanced upon a very short item published in the Manila Bulletin.  It actually was too short to even be noticed by most readers.  But small news as it was, it’s big news to environmental advocates and activists like the Pro-EARTH Crusaders…

“Manila Bulletin: “CAMPAIGN VS ILLEGAL LOGGING (November 24, 2015): 

ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur – The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 13) yesterday ordered all field monitoring teams from Loreto town to La Paz, Talacogon, San Luis and Esperanza to step up their anti-illegal logging operators after reports that illegal loggers will attempt to smuggle illegally-cut logs, flitches or lumber during Christmas Season.  DENR 13 will coordinate with the authorities to arrest those who will be caught violating the Forestry Code of the Philippines.  From 13 hot spot areas, there are still two remaining hot spots of illegal logging in the region reportedly being utilized by an illegal logging syndicate allegedly involving Chinese businessmen based in Butuan City and Davao City. (Mike U. Crismundo)”

In February 1, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order No. 23… titled: “Declaring a Moratorium on the Cutting and Harvesting of Timber in the Natural and Residual Forests and Creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force”.  This Executive Order has been enforced for more than 57 months now but illegal logging remains… particularly in Region 13.  This SMALL NEWS ITEM seems to indicate that illegal logging still exist BIG TIME!  Isn’t FIFTY SEVEN MONTHS a lifetime for a government initiative?

Thoughts to promote positive action…

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REFERENCES:

Manila Bulletin, (November 24, 2015). “Campaign vs Illegal Logging”.

Official Gazette of the Philippines, (2011).  Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2011. Retrieved on November 26, 2015 from http://www.gov.ph/2011/02/01/executive-order-no-23-s-2011/