Source : INQ7.net, Philippines, 04 nOV '04
By : Allan Macatuno
  

Defensor, during the National Conference on Integrating Forest Conservation with Local Governance held here, said the government's reforestation program had been sabotaged by "corrupt" government officials for financial favors, resulting in its failure to fully attain sustainable development for the country.

He said the government's reforestation projects have only achieved a 30-percent success rate in the past years. He also blamed flawed government policies and the public's lack of knowledge on the economic benefits of protecting the environment for the low success rate.

Defensor, however, said the DENR has identified several solutions to ensure the protection and preservation of the environment.

"Regular monitoring of our forests

and community participation are crucial. There should be alliance-based approach for forest conservation," Defensor said.

He urged local government officials to take the initiative and leadership in forest protection.

"The DENR should and must cleanse its ranks of officials conniving with illegal logging companies for financial considerations. The department's devolved functions must be worked out and it should consider co-management with local government units," he said.

Blas Tabaranza, program director of the Haribon Foundation, said the country's tropical rainforests are among the richest in the world in biodiversity. However, he said, its rate of deforestation is one of the highest in the world.

Other threats to the country's rich biodiversity that were identified during the conference were unregulated hunting and wildlife collection, conversion of forest lands to farm lots, unsustainable use of forest resources such as charcoal production, logging and mining operations and claims.

Around 240 governors, mayors, councilors and officials of the DENR, non-government organizations and academic institutions attended the three-day conference to discuss local governments' roles in forest management.