PEZA denies plans to ‘massacre’ 13,000 trees in Baguio
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May 1, 2008, 12:53:25 PM5/1/08
to Philippine environment conservation
PEZA denies plans to ‘massacre’ 13,000 trees in Baguio
By PIA GUTIERREZ
ABS-CBN Baguio
Baguio City - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is on the
defensive following reports that they plan to clear a large part of a
forested land in Camp John Hay.
This is to host the expansion of Moog Controls Philippines, an
American aircrafts parts manufacturer.
According to news reports, around 800 to 13,000 trees will be
'massacred' for the expansion. The controversy has sparked the ire of
environmentalists in Baguio. Recently, Senator An Consuelo "Jamby"
Madrigal, in a resolution, has asked the Senate to investigate the
issue.
PEZA Administrator Tereso Panga said however that, contrary to
reports, only 262 trees will be cut, which they will replace with
5,000 seedlings. The greater part of the land will be developed for
greenery. "PEZA has always operated within the framework of
sustainable development," Panga said.
6.5 hectares of John Hay land was annexed to the Baguio City Economic
Zone by the Bases Conversion Development Authority thru a memorandum
of agreement with PEZA.
City Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, chair of the Baguio Regreening
Movement, however, said they will not take this issue lying down. He
said the public needs to take action to stop the total denudation of
the remaining forest lands in the city.
Regional Director Samuel Penafiel of Department of Environment and
Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region said that because
of the number of the trees for clearing, the evaluation of PEZA’s tree-
cutting permit will go to the Central Office.
Penafiel said that the results of their technical evaluation will be
given more weight as opposed to public opinion.
For the meantime, PEZA is now trying to insulate Moog Controls
Philippines from the issue, unfortunately made bigger because of the
controversy surrounding Hanjin Corp., another foreign-owned company
currently operating in Subic.
Panga said that because of the negative publicities, Moog could
discontinue its expansion.
For Baguio, this could mean the loss of investments estimated to be
around 105 to 150 million dollars as well as more than a thousand
potential jobs.
By PIA GUTIERREZ
ABS-CBN Baguio
Baguio City - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is on the
defensive following reports that they plan to clear a large part of a
forested land in Camp John Hay.
This is to host the expansion of Moog Controls Philippines, an
American aircrafts parts manufacturer.
According to news reports, around 800 to 13,000 trees will be
'massacred' for the expansion. The controversy has sparked the ire of
environmentalists in Baguio. Recently, Senator An Consuelo "Jamby"
Madrigal, in a resolution, has asked the Senate to investigate the
issue.
PEZA Administrator Tereso Panga said however that, contrary to
reports, only 262 trees will be cut, which they will replace with
5,000 seedlings. The greater part of the land will be developed for
greenery. "PEZA has always operated within the framework of
sustainable development," Panga said.
6.5 hectares of John Hay land was annexed to the Baguio City Economic
Zone by the Bases Conversion Development Authority thru a memorandum
of agreement with PEZA.
City Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, chair of the Baguio Regreening
Movement, however, said they will not take this issue lying down. He
said the public needs to take action to stop the total denudation of
the remaining forest lands in the city.
Regional Director Samuel Penafiel of Department of Environment and
Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region said that because
of the number of the trees for clearing, the evaluation of PEZA’s tree-
cutting permit will go to the Central Office.
Penafiel said that the results of their technical evaluation will be
given more weight as opposed to public opinion.
For the meantime, PEZA is now trying to insulate Moog Controls
Philippines from the issue, unfortunately made bigger because of the
controversy surrounding Hanjin Corp., another foreign-owned company
currently operating in Subic.
Panga said that because of the negative publicities, Moog could
discontinue its expansion.
For Baguio, this could mean the loss of investments estimated to be
around 105 to 150 million dollars as well as more than a thousand
potential jobs.
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