TThe militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for engaging in logging in Hacienda Looc, in Nasugbu, Batangas. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “this is clearly a conflict of interest and what is worse is that the farmers in the hacienda are now being forced out of their lands. The area is prime agricultural land that they have tilled for decades and now is being converted into a eco-tourism zone, with four golf courses and hotels,”

“We came upon the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the DENR stating that the DPWH and its contractors will turn-over cut logs within the affected road alignment within the National Park for the disposition of the DENR-NRDC. This was during the time of DPWH Sec. Gregorio Vigilar and DENR Sec. Antonio Cerilles, but up till now this is being used to denude the forest in the hacienda,” added the peasant leader.

“As of late more than 4,000 trees have already been cut and among these are acacia and narra trees as well as numerous fruit trees. Farmers have vehemently opposed this agreement and project, but the two departments pushed through with both,” explained Ramos.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP, “furthermore the area the DENR itself is denuding is a protected area known as the Mt. Palay-palay, Mataas na Gulod National Park. The peasants under the UMALPAS-KA also aired this to the current DENR Sec. Michael Defensor last year but he did nothing,”

“We are challenging Sec. Defensor to put a stop to this project because if not then we will see him in court,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 11 February 2005