Bakawan sa Bataraza, inuuling at ini-export sa bansang Malaysia

Ni Ven Marck Botin

IBINALITA ng Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI) na naabutan ng paraenforcers ang mga pira-pirasong mga puno ng bakawan sa bayan ng Bataraza, Palawan na gagawing uling para i-export sa bansang Malaysia.

“…the authorities leaving the charcoal-making area in old growth mangroves, violators merely transfered their operations to the next mangrove area not far from the original site,” saad ng PNNI.

Nitong buwan ng Abril, ni-raid ng kanilang mga tauhan ang isang tagong lungga ng mga iligalista na kung saan isinasagawa ang pag-uuling sa lugar gamit ang matatandang punong-bakawan na dinadala sa karatig-bansa.

Iniulat ng PNNI ang nasabing insidente sa pamunuan ng Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSDS), Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), at sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan upang bigyang-aksyon ang iligal na gawain.

“…who reportedly visited the same area and confirmed that the illicit activity was indeed true. However, the latter did not invite much less give notice to PNNI for the said operation, and in the process has fallen short of the objective of establishing a deterrent on the old growth mangroves of Bataraza,” pagbibigay-diin ng PNNI.

Anila, bumalik din ang iligal na operasyon sa karatig-lugar.

“Basic in envi law enforcement is the bringing of the complainant along with the team, not just for the facility of immediately pointing out the correct area, but for transparency and effectiveness of the operation, to patrol adjacent areas that need protection as well,” ani PNNI.

“PNNI conducted follow up and mopping operations to the adjacent areas this June 15, 2023 and was able to disrupt the secondary charcoal-making violations in the new mangrove area missed by the authorities because they did not invite the one who reported the incident,” saad ng tanggapan.

“PRIDE among heads of environmental agencies and groups have often led to inutile efforts to combat illegal logging and magrove destruction,” dagdag nila.

“This coupled with the fact that to Save Palawan’s Forest, you actually have to go to the forests; and not save it from the confines of an airconditioned office, seminar room, or training conference hall.”