Group assails DENR over tree-cutting permits in Palawan
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—An environmental group has renewed its criticism of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over the issuance of tree-cutting permits to mining companies, particularly the Berong Nickel Project in Palawan.
Environmental Legal Assistance Center (Elac) executive director Grizelda Mayo-Anda said the group has long opposed the issuance of such permits despite laws protecting Palawan’s forests and natural resources, particularly Republic Act No. 7611, or the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan (SEP) Act.
Mayo-Anda said Elac has repeatedly cited Section 9 of the SEP Act, which mandates the maximum protection of old-growth forests.
“That’s specific to Palawan. And it is the only province in the country where natural forests—whether old-growth or secondary forests—are covered,” she told the Inquirer in an interview on Monday.
Mayo-Anda also cited Section 19 of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which prohibits mining in mangrove areas, critical habitats, watersheds, and protected areas.
“What Section 19 of the Mining Act states is ‘other areas declared by law,’ so you can relate the SEP law there as one of the laws that protects our forests,” she said.
Mayo-Anda further said the DENR should seriously consider Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-Nipas) Act, which provides that all old-growth forests form part of protected areas.
She added that Elac remains alarmed that despite growing concerns over climate change and the role of forests in mitigating its effects, the government continues to allow the cutting of thousands of trees.
Outrage
“That’s why we are calling on the DENR secretary to immediately investigate and assess the areas covered by the special tree-cutting permits, particularly whether these are old-growth or natural forests in Palawan, because our laws provide for the protection of Palawan’s forests,” Mayo-Anda said.
She also referred to public outrage over the cutting of 600 trees in Manila, noting that the number of trees affected in Palawan is significantly larger.
Mayo-Anda lamented that Elac’s repeated requests for copies of special tree-cutting permits issued in the province have gone unanswered for years.
According to Elac, it has documented at least 218,854 trees covered by special tree-cutting permits issued to three mining companies in Palawan, although the actual figure could be higher.
“For the record, the 218,854 trees only cover three mining companies because the DENR has refused to provide us copies of the special tree-cutting permits. We only saw those figures on the billboards of the mining companies,” Mayo-Anda said.
She added that permits issued since 2024 have not been disclosed to the group.
“That’s really disturbing for us,” Mayo-Anda said.
She also questioned the DENR’s explanation that tree-cutting activities are accompanied by safeguard and replacement measures, arguing that large-scale nickel mining causes deeper environmental destruction beyond the removal of trees.
“When you remove the topsoil, how do you restore a degraded forest? You need topsoil to restore it to its original state. So, with all due respect, we would want the DENR to explain,” Mayo-Anda said.
“And did they consider the fact that Palawan is a biodiversity-rich area? You do not only destroy trees—you unravel ecosystems, wildlife habitats, soil nutrients, and environmental services, including clean water,” she added.
Elac cited the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which implements the Convention on Biological Diversity, where the DENR serves as the lead implementing agency.
“We strongly encourage the DENR to take a hard look at its biodiversity plans and whether the issuance of special tree-cutting permits involving thousands of trees will enable the government to meet its commitments,” Mayo-Anda said.
“We need to be in sync. It is sad that while the government commits to protecting biodiversity, it is also allowing the destruction of forests,” she added.
On Monday, the DENR defended the tree-cutting activities linked to the Berong Nickel Project in Palawan, saying the operations are covered by strict environmental safeguards, phased implementation, and rehabilitation measures.
In a statement, the agency said 26,617 trees have been approved for cutting, while 43,743 saplings will be earth-balled and transplanted under the project’s permits.
The DENR stressed that tree-cutting will be conducted in phases alongside simultaneous reforestation efforts, requiring the planting of 100 indigenous seedlings for every tree cut—equivalent to at least 2.6 million replacement seedlings.
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
