HON. PEDRO M. TRINIDAD Municipal Mayor of Cortes, Surigao Del Sur supports the Environmental Concerns

Hon. Pedro M. Trinidad Jr.

Republika ng Pilipinas
Lalawigan ng Surigao del Sur
BAYAN NG CORTES

TANGGAPAN NG PUNONG BAYAN

HON. JESSIE M. ROBREDO
Secretary
Department of Interior & Local Government
10th Floor A. Francisco Gold Condominium II
EDSA, Corner Mapagmahal Street
Diliman, Quezon City

Sir:

May we earnestly request your good office for the immediate suspension of the logging operation of Ventura Timber Corporation at the Municipality of Cortes, Surigao del Sur. Please be informed that Ventur Timber Corporation is now operating within the Ancestral domain of Kahugpongan sa Tribung Mamanwa-Manobo (KATRIMMA) violating the rights of the indigenous people living in our area. The Integrated Forestry Management Agreement of IFMA was approved without Free and Prior Inform Consent from the affected communities in the area including various stakeholders. This is an insult to Local Government Unit which was never consulted prior to the issuance/approval of the IFMA. We in the Local Government believed that prior to the operation, the company had to plant trees but this was not done. The approval/issuance of the agreement was done through manipulation, deceit and bribery which are strong grounds for the non-approval of the agreement by NCIP and DENR.

We strongly appeal to you to cause the immediate suspension of the logging operation of Ventura Timber Corporation specifically of Cortes before our forest will be totally denuded.

Please be informed that there eight (8) marine sanctuaries in cortes. If our forest lands will be denuded, all our sanctuaries will be affected once heavy rains fall because there will be flooding. Flooding will cause siltation that will destroy all marine life.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd)
PEDRO M. TRINIDAD. JR
Municipal mayor