Forests and Logging

Lumads hit ‘deception’ in carbon trading, demand ‘climate justice

Kailash — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:17:20 +0100

DAVAO CITY – Lumads or indigenous peoples belonging to 12 tribes in Mindanao’s southern provinces have declared their opposition to what they call the deceptive nature of treaty-based schemes to reduce carbon emissions, saying these are being promoted by countries that are being accused as the main culprits of climate change.

In a manifesto sent to media, the Lumads cited in particular the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+).

The CDM is one of the “flexibility mechanisms” defined in the 1991 Kyoto Protoco

Alternative Law Groups (ALG) commends the Supreme Court for issuing the New Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases

Kailash — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:55:51 +0100

The Alternative Law Groups (ALG) commends the Supreme Court for issuing the New Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases just before the Earth Day Celebration. The new rule will be effective on April 29, 2010.

“The new rules would greatly help in the immediate resolution of cases as the high court has provided new remedies for the protection of the environment and new rules that are expected to facilitate the resolution of these cases”, said Atty. Marlon Manuel, coordinator of ALG.

Misamis Oriental Largest Illegal Logging is still Unresolved

whit — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:20:20 +0100

Berting Pinagawa, a Higaonon farmer has to walk almost 40 kilometers to the downtown of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental to account his testimony to a priest on the massive cutting of trees inside their ancestral territory. His account led the 25,000 residents calling the immediate cancellation of the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) issued to Southwood Timber Corporation (STC) covering 11,476 hectares.

After the initial sign-on petition were filed at the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Gingoog City, he was murdered in the eve of December 24, 2009 in Sitio Papataon, Brgy.

Environmental activists laud Supreme Court's issuance of Writ of Kalikasan as an early Earth Day gift

Kailash — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:43:32 +0100

Environmental groups have reason to celebrate Earth day as the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, the rules and regulation which will govern the procedure in legal actions involving enforcement or violations of environmental and related laws.

“We commend the SC for issuing an ‘environment-friendly’ Rules of Procedure. This early Earth Day reward is a result of grassroots communities’ arduous and untiring struggle to protect the environment and natural resources and uphold their basic rights,” said Clemente Bautista Jr.

Groups question Arroyo conservation award

Kailash — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:11:53 +0100

MANILA, Philippines—-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to fly to the United States next week to attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., where she will also receive the International Conservation Award from the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF).

Ms Arroyo will be conferred the award during formal rites at the US Congress on April 14.

An alliance of local environmental groups and religious organizations, however, has expressed its “absolute opposition” to Ms Arroyo’s being so honored.

Barrage of mining operations feared to make Caraga a 'ghost region'

Kailash — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:18:47 +0100

Butuan City – Shortening the time in acquiring mining permits in the country is both bad and sad news for communities protecting environment and will bring sooner the Philippine’s Mining Capital, Caraga Region, lived up to its name — a ghost region.

Environmental groups claimed that the barrage of mining activities in Caraga Region had made some portions of the once high, towering and mighty “Red Mountain” in the boundary of Surigao provinces an instant “swimming pool”.

Canadian expert eyes entrepreneur boot camp for RP lumads

Kailash — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:00:34 +0000

Surigao City - Claiming it is the only means to achieve sustainable Community-Based Enterprise (CBE) for Indigenous People in the Philippines, Canada's University of Manitoba Research Fellow Mavis McRae recommends establishment of entrepreneur boot camp.

SC rushes promulgation of rules for writ of kalikasan

Kailash — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:23:53 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) is now rushing the promulgation of the rules governing the issuance of the “writ of kalikasan,” which is expected to hasten the resolution of environmental cases.

Speaking before members of Philippine-Australian Alumni Association Inc.

Alsons’ bioethanol project a threat to food security

Kailash — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:36:05 +0000

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY —Alcantara and Sons Consolidated Resources, Inc.’s (Alsons) bioethanol plant project in the hinterland barangays here is a big threat to this city’s food security program.

This as the city land use plan (CLUP) for Year 2000 of Cagayan de Oro stated that land devoted to crop cultivation is only 22 percent or 4,529 hectares of the city’s total land area.

Cagayan de Oro only has 20,646 hectares of agricultural land left, the CLUP 2000 said.

Carl Cesar Rebuta, team leader of the Cagayan de Oro City office of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasam

Lumad Cry for Justice for the Death of Anti-Logging Leader

whit — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:43:52 +0000

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental – Early morning of December 24th, Alberto “Berting” Pinagawa, a Higaonon anti-logging leader hiked from his house in Sitio Muyo, Brgy. Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental together with his 13 year old nephew to Brgy. Eureka, Gingoog City to catch for a “habal-habal” ride in time for the family Christmas get-together in Brgy. Kalipayan, Gingoog City.

While in Sitio Papataon, Brgy. Eureka, assailants blocked his way and violently fired at least 20 shots of high a powered gun which shattered his body, abdomen and his right arm.

Philippine climate activists outraged at outcome of Copenhagen climate talks

Kailash — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:55:59 +0000

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (19 DECEMBER 2009)- Climate activists from the Philippines express their dismay and opposition to the non-binding Copenhagen Accord and the adoption made by the Philippine government for it in the recent concluded 15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) in Copenhagen.

“We saw it coming. Based on the earlier pronouncements of the US officials before the COP 15, the US and other rich industrial countries are working for a non-binding international climate agreement,” says Mr.

Fugitive tribal leader gets 'green award'

Kailash — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:05:25 +0000

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—-Deep in the forests of Talaingod in Davao del Norte, Ata-Manobo Datu Guibang Apoga, obviously through an assistant, could only send a text message to express how he and his people valued environment.

“For us, nature is like our mother and father who provide us with everything we need … life, food and other things essential for us to survive,” said the message in Bisaya. It was read by a representative who received the award on his behalf during the ceremony on Dec.

12000 Signatures calling to cancel the “Legal Logging Permit” in Gingoog City

Tom C — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:11:14 +0000

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental – The insurmountable calamities and political tragedies which have battered our country has left our country in a dismal state. In the aftermath of the events of the floods Ondoy and Pepeng alone, thousands of Filipinos are left without homes and grieving over loved ones, whether they were actually lost or found. In the local scenario, the people of Misamis Oriental are no stranger to these calamities.

Ex-militiamen take villagers hostage in S. Philippines

Kailash — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:22 +0000

MANILA — Government-armed former militiamen accused of murder and banditry kidnapped more than 70 villagers and children Thursday from a southern Philippines village, demanding that charges be dropped against them before they would free the hostages.

The abductions raised fresh questions about the government’s long-standing policy of arming civilian volunteers to protect against insurgencies. The day before, 100 other militiamen in the south were added to the list of those accused of slaughtering civilians in the country’s worst political massacre.

7 environment workers reported missing in Mindanao

Kailash — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:38:04 +0000

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines —- The Philippine military said it was verifying reports Wednesday that seven environment workers went missing in the hinterlands of Mindanao.
The seven are employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who were manning a checkpoint in Butuan City in Agusan del Norte province.
“We have contacted two army battalions in the area to check on the reports, but so far we have not received anything about those reported missing in Butuan,” Major Michelle Anayron, a regional army spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.
The area is a known lair

Facts on nation's environment speak louder than politicians' claims-- green groups

Kailash — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:56:57 +0100

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was quick to attack the assessment of environmental activists that environmental degradation and natural resource depletion aggravated during the term of President Arroyo.

Lumads stage State of Indigenous Peoples' Address

Kailash — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:53:38 +0100

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/July 27, 2009)— As the entire country focused on the ninth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, 85 indigenous peoples’ leaders in Mindanao gathered for a three-day conference on the State of the Indigenous Peoples Address (SIPA) on July 26 to 28 at Manresa Retreat House here.

Higaonons save forests of Bukidnon

johnacuna — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:00:05 +0100

OUT THERE IN THE WILDS IN the last forest covers of Mindanao live the “katomtumanodan,” the spirits who are the real protectors of Earth. So the Higaonons believe.

Asserting the sanctity of nature, indigenous peoples have embarked on an initiative to preserve the Kimangkil forest corridor that spans almost 14,000 hectares of watershed areas bordering four provinces in Mindanao.

Through a pact sealed by the “Mintapod Declaration,” five major Higaonon tribal councils swear to unite in protecting the sacred mountains of Kimangkil, Balatukan, Kalanawan, Pamalihi and Sumagaya.

Conserving the Mt Kimangkil Forest Corridor: an example of Higaonon ecological and cultural advocacy

Kailash — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:38:22 +0100

Cagayan de Oro City – The Higaonon are the first peoples, the original peoples of Northern Mindanao. Through generations they have been able to assert their rights to cultural integrity and maintain ecological stability. This concept becomes all the more clear if one takes a closer look at the intact forest ecosystems of the Higaonon in Bukidnon, especially in the areas surrounding Mount Kimangkil.

The Higaonon residing in and around Mt. Kimangkil form a corridor of ancestral domains with good quality forests.

ADB Chico, Agno forest aid futile as Mine applications blanket Cordillera

Kailash — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:08:56 +0000

BAGUIO CITY — Community elders and environmental groups in the region branded the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded reforestation projects of the Agno and Chico Rivers’ watersheds as an exercise in futility.

Cordillera Elders’ Alliance (CEA) and Benguet Mining Action Alert Network (BMAAN) hit the project that is supposed to protect the watersheds as useless, because the government also allows mining applications that threaten to destroy these watersheds.

The watersheds for the Chico and Agno Rivers were among the forest areas in the country which would be financed by the $80 mill

Letter to DENR Secretary to Correct the Facts on the Gingoog Case

Kailash — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:55:28 +0000

Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City (ACDO) Ecology Care (ECO-CARE) and Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center –Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth-Philippines
25 January 2009
SECRETARY ELEAZAR QUINTO
DENR Secretary
DENR Compound, Visayas Ave., Diliman,
Quezon City
Dear sir:
Congratulation as the new DENR Secretary!
The Growing cry of the people of Gingoog City on the logging issue and the fear of any flashflood that would hit again in the village as the cutting of trees in the remaining forest of Gingoog and Claveria continued as of this writing.
This letter is a response

The war of Bae Bibiyaon Likayan Bigkay

johnacuna — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:14:10 +0000

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—She riffled through the pages of the Inquirer,
her hand steady and careful, and hurriedly flipped back to the front
page and stared at the photos.

Bae Bibiyaon Likayan Bigkay recognized the images: the man was “Pek’yeo”
while the woman between two Indian officials was “Ori’yeo.”

Slowly chewing a betel nut—traces of being a longtime partner evident in
her lips—the Ata-Manobo chieftain from the hinterlands of Bukidnon said
she admired Pek’yeo because the man fought well. Pek’yeo is Filipino

Church and Government Leader Calls TVI Pacific a 'liar'

John B — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:22:34 +0100

Dipolog City – The Canadian mining company TVI Pacific has been portraying itself as a responsible miner, not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. However this image has been ruined when the highest church leader in the province of Zamboanga Del Norte has accused it recently of being a ‘liar company.’

A Failed Promise - The Dumingag Case

John B — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:00:40 +0100

Dumingag, Zamboanga Del Sur – Reforestation was promised by logging companies to the people in this town. This never happened.

This time, with the promise of responsible mining of TVI Minerals Processing, Inc., the people in this town are wary; while others are downright saying not to the planned entry of the mining company. “Based on our experience, the areas that were destroyed by logging never again regained its former appearance and state. What more with mining where the mountain itself will be destroyed?”

Over 2600 Participate in an Anti-Mining Caravan which Culminates in Dipolog City

John B — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:41:50 +0100

Canatuan residents report that TVI mine tailings are leaking into their creeks.

John B — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:52:44 +0100

DCMI has recently heard reports from the community on Canatuan that mine tailings from TVI’s operations have been leaking out into the Lumot Creek. This creek runs into the Lituban River which, in turn, runs into the Siocon River and to the coastal area.