GMA SIGNS INTO LAW TOTAL LOG BAN BILL

Malacañang Palace – President Arroyo signed into law the Total Log Ban Bill covering the entire province of Southern Leyte.
The new law which was sponsored by Representative Roger G. Mercado was  triggered by the deadly landslides on Panaon Island and Saint Bernard which killed over 3,000 people.
The Act prohibits the cutting-down of trees for commercial purposes and allows the harvesting of trees within tree plantations only if they are used for projects approved by the government.
This means only public works and energy development and waterworks projects are exempt from this Act provided they comply with existing environment and forestry laws.
In his Explanatory Note emphasizing the need for the total log ban Congressman Mercado cited the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s findings that Southern Leyte was   the Second Most Landslide Prone Area in the country.
Although the law still needs the DENR’s implementing guidelines local officials here may now stop the cutting-down of hardwood trees which do not conform to the provisions of the law and can confiscate chainsaws in their towns.
This means that Hinundayan Mayor Evelyn Lee who has been waging a lonely battle against the proliferation of chainsaws in her town can  now regulate its use there. At the signing ceremony in Malacanang President Arroyo praised  Congressman Mercado for the  landmark legislation which she said would encourage similar laws in provinces which are prone to massive landslides. She said that she would cite the Republic Act at the APEC Meeting as an example of her administration’s efforts to combat Global Warming.
Among those who attended the event were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Presidential Assistant  Heherson Alvarez,  Congressman Iggy Arroyo, Presidential Spokesman Serge Remonde and Legislative Consultant for Southern Leyte Ruevivar “Wowie” Reyes. (By Mark Rimas)

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