Green groups want DENR revamp in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – Environmental groups urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday to implement a revamp at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Caraga due to allegations that some officials in the agency are tolerating illegal logging activities in the region. “Total revamp is needed so that effectiveness in implementing laws will not be compromised (by) DENR officials, (some of whom are) already overstaying," said a joint statement by the Bantay Kalikasan, Green Caraga Movement and the Coalition of Concerned Citizens in Caraga. They said local government officials here, who have a hand in processing logging permits, must undergo a “thorough" lifestyle check. “Manipulations by moneyed illegal loggers in getting legal documents such as log transportation and cutting permits from local DENR offices all over Caraga have been on going for years and must be put to an end," the groups said. “Alleged illegal logging activities in Caraga do not only destroy our future but also deprive the government of revenues from these illegal loggers who pose as legitimate wood traders but are actually smugglers of (illegally) cut woods," the groups added. Caraga, noted for its wood-based economy, is composed of five provinces namely Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur and the cities of Butuan, Surigao and Bislig. Of the region’s total land area of 18,846.97 square kilometers, 71.22 percent is forestland, while the rest are classified as alienable and disposable lands. - GMANews.TV