OPINIONS / COLUMNS (July 28 – August 3, 2008) In & Out Stevie T. Barreiro 5000 people dead The images of tragedy and devastation in Ormoc City wrought by flashfloods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Thelma are the most visible reminder of the consequences of rampant illegal logging. The tragedy wherein an estimated 5,000 people died and 50,000 homes were destroyed, occurred when torrential rains eroded the barren, deforested mountains surrounding Ormoc City and dumped tons of mud and debris on the unsuspecting victims. The specter of the Ormoc tragedy looms over the province as illegal logging, particularly in the northern towns of Adams, Pagudpud and Dumalneg, appears to go unabated. The brutal slay of the Cascayan brothers, Julius and Augusto, may be a portent of impending disaster, the first casualties directly resulting from illegal logging. According to sources, both had been very active and stringent in their duties as members of the local government anti- illegal logging task force organized by Pagudpud Mayor Marlon Sales. Both were allegedly slain by members of an alleged illegal logging syndicate operating out of the town of Dumalneg. The syndicate is reportedly run by a councilor of that town in partnership with a former NPA rebel commander. The syndicate reportedly has links with the PNP and the DENR. The approaches to all the northern towns are manned with both PNP and DENR checkpoints. There is no way to transport the tons of illegally cut logs than through these so-called checkpoints. Therefore the flourishing of illegal logging activity presupposes that there definitely is some form of collusion between the syndicate and the PNP and DENR. Checkpoint? Or Collection point? The PNP is supposed to enforce the law; the DENR is supposed to monitor that environmental laws are not broken. Both agencies have been remiss in their duties. Is it because of ineptitude or corruption? How much is being collected by these erstwhile guardians of the environment and the law to look the other way? The province has been largely spared from the ravages that have befallen Ormoc and other parts of the country. Credit this to the political will that our leaders have shown if only with regards to the preservation of our environment. However, the efforts of our local leaders will be in vain if the two national agencies, the PNP and the DENR, do not enforce the law. The preservation of our environment is not an abstract idea involving generations to come. The cost of not preserving our environment includes such dire and immediate consequences as the mudslides that have ravaged Ormoc. Fifty thousand homes destroyed. Five thousand dead or rather murdered. It could happen here. *** The governor has spoken out against the twin evils of illegal logging and dynamite fishing. These are two practices that have extreme effects on the environment. The consequences of illegal logging are tangible and pose a great and immediate threat to life and property. As in the tragedy in Ormoc. The consequences of dynamite fishing are much more sublime. The danger in dynamite fishing apart from the occupational hazards lies in the depopulation of food stocks through indiscriminate killing and destruction of the natural habitat. Dynamite fishing is indiscriminate, blasting all marine life including non-commercial species and young immature fish that have not grown to commercially viable size. The reason fishing nets are used is so that young immature fish are not caught and may replenish the food stocks in the future. Dynamite fishing is also destructive by destroying the coral reefs that serve as rich, breeding ground for the propagation of fish. The destruction of young, immature fish before they have had a chance to reproduce and the destruction of the coral reefs that are the feeding and breeding grounds of fish means that iif dynamite fishing goes unabated, the waters of Ilocos Norte may one day be absolutely devoid of fish. Devoid of food. *** Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Bernard Agdigos by virtue of DO 487 issued by DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales last July 29 has reassumed the post of OIC Provincial Prosecutor. Observers view the continuing(?) rigodon of musical chairs at the Provincial Prosecutors Office of Ilocos Norte with grave concern. It is the perceived breakdown of the justice system that has led to the flourishing of criminal and illegal activity. The punishment of criminals deters others from committing crime. The absolution of criminals through bribery or other machinations promotes crime. Click Previous Article: Render unto Caesar Ilocos Times copyright 2008 Back to top

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