PGMA signs law for total log ban in Southern Leyte
MAASIN CITY — Friday the 13th usually has been associated with anything relating to superstitious beliefs or bad omen.
But for Southern Leyte, Friday, the 13th of November, was a red-letter day, essentially for environmentalists and nature-lovers: on this day and date President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had signed Republic Act No. 9772, a law calling for a total log ban for the province of Southern Leyte.
Witnessing the President affixing her signature to the document were Presidential Adviser Heherson Alvarez, Rep. Iggy Arroyo, and Undersecretary Eleazar Quinto.
This may be stating the obvious, but for posterity’s sake the landmark log ban bill was authored in the House of Representatives by Congressman Roger Mercado of the province’s lone congressional district.
The measure would be Cong. Mercado’s additional proof of his being a champion for the environment, and it would also be his legislative legacy to the future generations of Southern Leytenos.
PIA tried to invite Cong. Mercado for the maiden airing of the revived DYSL Kapihan sa PIA scheduled last Thursday November 26, so he can elaborate on the salient features of the law, but he declined citing conflict of activities to attend to.
The next best thing was to have the provincial head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DNER), who readily granted PIA’s request.
“It will usually take about three months since the signing of the bill into law before the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) can be issued, and until then we will be going around to all stakeholders to conduct information, education campaign and explain to them the law,” said Ranulfo Arbiol, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO).
PENRO Arbiol, who narrated that he was part of the group invited to the Senate in February this year to discuss the pros and cons of the law, said the new law was very categorical in banning forever commercial logging operations in the province, meaning no more big-time timber concessioners will be granted permit, unlike in the 1980s.
It also imposed a total stoppage on cutting of natural grown trees like lawaan, tugob, molave, and narra species, among others, including those planted along plazas, parks, and highways, roads, or streets for aesthetic purposes and to help absorb toxic smoke emitted from passing vehicles.
But those who have planted trees for several years ago — and will continue to plant trees — need not worry, Arbiol assured, because the DENR will still grant the resource excuse permit, or in layman’s terms a cutting permit, for species that were planted, such as Gmelina, mahogany, acasia mangium, and even tagiloyloy or giant ipil-ipil which usually appears as natural growth.
Arbiol could not state if this was the first-ever provincial-scope bill signed into law regarding regulating cutting of trees, saying other provinces may have their own log ban laws as well, though he could not specify.
Asked if the days of illegal loggers will now be numbered with the new law taking effect, Arbiol said he hopes on the cooperation of the community and other sectors for this to be realized, adding that the DENR personnel alone in the province which are about a hundred plus cannot cope up with the scope of their coverage.
Thus, if there are those who fear for the new law’s implementation soon, like a bad omen for them, it will be the illegal loggers.
And there’s nothing superstitious in here. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
NOw, this is something that Mercado should be ashamed of. Such a hyrpocrite to let the people know that he’s an environmentalist. When they were having a renovation in their restaurant, they were using hard wood from Silago which are commonly known as “yakal” to locals. I’m calling the attention of DENR to investigate on this one.
You need to see the tree planting projects throughout the province of Congressman Mercado. You need to see the family reforestation project in Bogo, Maasin of the congressman of the lone district.
If you have proofs that the “yakal” trees from Silago were cut down illegally, you need to show the pictures and/or videos, and signed documents. If you just hear the gossips from the gossipers, there is no place for you in a country with at least over 90% literacy rate!
Reforestation? Now i’m wondering if the budget they use for the reforestation is from the government funds.. If they are really doing this for the people, why plant trees in the government owned lands, not in their own yard.
By the way, I am not against them, but I AM AGAINST THEIR BAD DOING. A person who is literate don’t judge a person, but if you think that person has done something wrong, you have to nip that in the bud. Now, who’s one of the 10% illiterate?
The total ban on logging should have been implemented a long time ago to preserve what is left in our forest and to avoid disaster like floods and landslides.
Let us stop pointing fingers, instead let us be extra cautious and report any illegal logging u may know. This is about political will or else expect another tragedy similar to what happened in Guinsaugon. Let us protect our invironment
@ bebie M – Beware; each time anyone who speaks ill of the either of the Mercado brothers, 7th Millennium (a.k.a. Mr Samuel Mercado) gets offensive at the expense of his defensiveness. He always fails to understand that his cousins are public servants of their own choosing. As such, they have subjected themselves to open scrutiny by those who feel deceived, betrayed, and just plain disgusted.
I give credit where credit is due. Fair is fair. If it has been credibly attested that Roger Mercado authored the log ban bill, then at least that’s one kudo under his hat as the representative of Southern Leyte. But considering the length of his tenure, anyone would wonder what else are his accomplishments that Southern Leyte really benefited?
Now, Folks, let’s all be real. Just because one of Mercado’s supposed programs involves tree-planting, reforestation, or however you call it, does not necessarily mean he’s an environmentalist. Anyone can plant trees if given the necessary assets and capabilities to do so. To be an environmentalist, one must maintain a constantly proactive awareness of regulations that govern activities that have the potential to pollute the environment. In the same token, such awareness can be balanced with enforcement efforts in protecting the environment and natural resources. As per what I know of Roger Mercado, he lacks full comprehension of viable issues that can provide positive impact to the health and welfare of our province’s environment as well as our people.
Let’s use Maasin City, from where the Mercado brothers hailed, as a typical example. Despite the fact that the city is trying to be autonomous (or whenever Maloney Samaco wants it to be), Roger or Damian has not done anything to clean up (or enforce mandatory clean up) precious natural resources like the Tuburan and Canturing Rivers. These two rivers are flowing with all kinds of contamination (human and animal feces, household refuse, hazardous and non-hazardous petroleum by-products, medical wastes, etc. that ultimately reach the ecosystem along the shorelines and immedaite marine life in tidal areas and reefs. In essence, affected are those who reside along the shorelines and unknowingly use the beaches for whatever recreation they do. I feel sorry for them. I just hope they don’t end up with irreversible ailments borne by incidental hazardous substances.
As per the article, I totally support the log ban. Question is, for those who can enforce the law, can they be swayed with a few pesos for a mouthful of rice by the crooks? Are the crooks politically influenced? Are our politicos the crooks themselves? Be advised, if you have no proof, just don’t say it. Before the eyes of the law, it’s what you call heresay or slander, whichever applies.
One word to the writer, Mr. Pedalino. I know you’re trying to earn a living with your affinity; but please, Roger Mercado is NOT a qualified environmentalist. I know of one who lives in Virginia who also happens to be a cousin of the Mercado brothers.
@ A.D. Macaldo – I concur, continuous vigilance and proactive reporting of illegal logging activities can purport the successful implementation of our new log ban bill. Fear of repercussion should never be a factor among us who care about our environment and natural resources.
Bear in mind, the Guinsaugon incident was not caused by deforestation. Pre-existing sub-surface geologic conditions, soil properties and excessive precipitation cause liquefaction of the mud which eventually cause the face of the mountainside to “slide”. No roots of trees or foliage could have ever prevented that landslide due to the depth of the slide’s scar. The slide started from deep down; and, everything immediately above it just went for the hayride! So Folks, try to get it off your heads – trees do not prevent landslides. However, they do prevent undesirable erosion and depositions of sediments onto low-lying areas.
Of course, this is just my unqualified analysis…. So please, 7th Millenium, don’t crucify me. Okay? LOL.
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