DENR defends permit to EDC on cutting century-old trees

Sunstar Dumaguete
By Victor L. Camion
Friday, August 1, 2014

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental defended its issuance of permit to Energy Development Corporation (EDC), allowing the latter to cut century-old trees in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

EDC secured permit from the DENR to cut trees to open a road going to the proposed expansion of a geothermal plant, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Charlie Fabre said.

Fabre said the permit was issued by DENR-Central Visayas Office.

Cutting of trees is going on, he said, adding that the area affected is equivalent to two hectare.

He also assured that EDC will replace the cut trees with hundred trees to be planted in the nearby areas.

In a recent press conference, initiated by the Philippine Information Agency held at Bethel Guest House, environmentalist expressed dismay over the move of the DENR to permit EDC to cut century-old trees for their expansion.

Leo Mapicpic, convenor of the environmentalist group Friends of Environment in Negros Oriental (FENO), said while the government has encourage the people to plant trees to preserve the environment against the climate change, the DENR permitted for the cutting of century old trees. source