Ecological Farmer Cooperators
Pagtinabangay Foundation
RAM Guardians Inc- Alakdan
Nov. 21- 26, 2016
Vanguard
Charcoal kilns destroyed
5 in Villareal and Sta Margarita, Samar, mangroves are being cut to turn into charcoal.
Catbalogan City, Samar( PIA) – The Catbalogan Community Environment and Natural Resources( CENRO) team has destroyed charcoal kilns in the towns of Villareal and Sta Margarita recently, putting a stop to the destruction of mangroves in the area.
CENR Officer Mar Torres, in a press conference said that the more than 45 carcoal kilns called“ bulkan” in Villareal and“ pugon” in Sta Margarita are illegal as they use mangrove species for making charcoal.
The“ pugon” in the barangays of Sta Margarita can produce more than 30 bags in a single operation, he said. Sacks of charcoal are then shipped to Calbayog, Tacloban and Catbalogan where demand is high.
Asked whether they have identified the owners, CEN- RO said that they have and are now preparing charges for violation of environmental laws.
In Villareal town, kids as young as first graders are already experts in making“ bulkan” that can produce at least two bags of charcoal, said em employee of the CENRO.
When asked what alternative livelihood the DENR can provide the folks engaged in charcoal making, PENR Officer Elpedio Simon said that they have allotted some P20 M for the National Greening Program( NGP) in the areas where there is rampant cutting of mangroves.
“ There are people’ s organization here under contract with DENR for NGP, yet it is sad that they are still doing this,” said Simon.
The DENR admitted they have no other choice but to file charges against those defiling the environment.
Once again, Simon urged the coastal barangays to refrain from destroying the very mangrove that will protect them once calamities occur.
“ It is absolutely illegal to cut mangrove species,” said Simon.
Mangroves, he said, are the most diverse ecosystem as fish, crabs and other marine life spawn in them.
( ajc / nbq / PIA 8-Samar)
Greetings to The Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa( RAM)
on its 27th Anniversary on November 30, 2016
Greetings from
Ecological Farmer Cooperators
Pagtinabangay Foundation
RAM Guardians Inc- Alakdan