Ilocos Norte exec moves to prevent tree ‘massacre’

LAOAG CITY, Philippines-—An official of Ilocos Norte province has moved to stop the cutting of more than 1,200 trees to give way to a solar energy plant in Currimao town.

Board Member Joel Garcia, chair of the provincial board’s committee on environment, on Tuesday urged members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial council) to hold a joint meeting with the committee on laws for the passage of a resolution to prevent the cutting of 1,281 trees, including 52 saplings, for a 20-megawatt solar power plant in Barangay (village) Bimmanga.

“I am against the cutting of these trees, even if it means that the solar power plant will not see the light of day should they still insist,” Garcia said.

On Tuesday, Fr. Robert Reyes, the “running priest,” said the recommendation of the provincial environment and natural resources office (Penro) to cut trees in a 60-hectare forest in Currimao was a “disturbing fact of the total lack of respect, reverence and connection national and local politicians and heads of agencies display in their attitude toward trees and nature.”

Reyes, one of the founders of National Coalition to Save Trees, said trees saved people when Super Typhoon “Yolanda” hit Tacloban City and Guiuan town in Eastern Samar province last year.

“During times of flash floods, tsunamis and storm surges, the value of trees cannot be taken for granted. Yet even during normal times, trees provide shade from the searing heat of the sun, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide oxygen and sooth the weary eyes of drivers and passengers alike,” he said.

Reyes appealed to Soleq Philippines Inc., which assumed the project from Mirae Asia Energy Corp., to save the trees.

“There is and will always be a way to save rather than massacre trees. Shortcuts and downright environmentally inimical plans can now benefit from green engineering, green business and green politics,” Reyes said.

“This is a great opportunity for the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), from the national to the regional levels, and political leaders from Malacañang to Currimao to show and exercise wise and environmentally sensitive and responsible service,” he added.

Last week, Craig Marsh, Soleq director, sought the endorsement of the provincial board so the solar power project could push through. He told the board members that his company was committed to deliver the corporate social responsibility projects “aligned with the provincial government’s development programs.”

The Penro said the project proponent was asked to replace the trees to be cut with 128,100 seedlings that would be planted in Currimao.

Juan de los Reyes, Penro officer, said the proposed site of the solar power project is within what used to be a part of an integrated forest management agreement (Ifma) plantation. The Ifma, he said, had been canceled and custody of the property went back to the DENR.

He said Mirae Asia Energy Corp. and the provincial government had applied for a forest lease agreement on the area.

The DENR granted the lease agreement to the Ilocos Norte government for the solar power project in a forest land covering Barangays Bimmanga and Salindeg-Paguludan in Currimao. The agreement is for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.

The comprehensive development and management plan directed the project proponent to ensure the protection of the environment and the conservation of natural resources in the area. It also asked the proponent to ensure that the host community would benefit from the project.

De los Reyes said the decision to proceed with the tree cutting would depend on the DENR’s regional and national offices. “As of the moment, our recommendation is still being reviewed …. The [DENR’s] technical committee will decide [if it will] spare the trees and relocate the project,” he said.