Palace unmoved by opposition to log ban EO

Malacañang remained unmoved on Saturday by the reported opposition of wood producers to an executive order (EO) imposing a logging moratorium on Philippine national and residual forests to stop the destruction of watersheds and rivers. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said President Benigno Aquino III is not likely to accommodate calls by the wood producers and some local government units to recall or tone down his order. “It’s not likely babaguhin natin anytime soon (It’s not likely the order will be modified). This log ban, it’s not exactly a complete log ban, it’s more of a comprehensive restriction on logging," Carandang said on government-run dzRB radio. When asked if Aquino would accommodate calls to modify the executive order, Carandang said, “Malamang hindi na siguro (It does not seem likely)." “May tututol dito, but this is an investment in our country’s future and the environment (We expect some groups to protest this but this is an investment in our country’s future and the environment)," he said. On Thursday, Aquino ordered a logging moratorium on Philippine national and residual forests to protect and stop the destruction of watersheds and river systems. He signed Executive Order No. 23, which also created a task force to lead the government’s campaign against illegal logging. Carandang noted that when Aquino visited Agusan and other provinces devastated by flash floods in January, there were signs of “overlogging." Besides, he said the executive order allows logging for loggers who have existing permits and who have not broken the law. “What we want to do is restrict logging so we can grow trees to protect the environment. (But) there’s no intention to back off from this restriction on logging," he said. He also said that this is a show of Aquino’s political will. “He feels very strongly about this," Carandang explained. Earlier reports said that wood producers appealed to Aquino to implement a selective log ban, citing the impact of the ban on jobs and revenues. — TJD, GMA News Online