Bishop, priests in Quezon lead efforts vs illegal logging

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic bishop and some priests from Infanta in Quezon province have started leading efforts to defend the environment by mobilizing the local communities. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Task Force Sierra Madre headed by Fr. Pete Montellana has also exposed corruption in the environment department. "Infanta Bishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona has already denounced the ongoing logging in Northern Quezon in spite of the total log ban declaration by (then) DENR secretary Angelo Reyes," the CBCP said in a statement. Fr. Boyet Valenzuela of Dinalungan, Aurora said several priests have also been actively involved in the anti-logging campaign in their parishes. Valenzuela recently received death threats after leading a group composed mostly of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) leaders in investigating logging activities. Three years ago, Fr. Chast Colendres died while trying to save parishioners from flash floods. Recently the priests from Infanta had a whole day meeting where the clergy came up with a unified stand against logging, said Valenzuela. "The clergy of Infanta who live simply among the poor and who risk their lives for their flock, try to address the problems of poverty, violence and the destruction of the environment," the CBCP said. Meanwhile, some priests have initiated income generating projects and livelihood programs in the BECs to address the problem of poverty. They have also introduced organic farming. - GMANews.TV