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NPAs, army troopers clash; many wounded
By Mar T. Supnad

SAN LUIS, Aurora -- Fifteen fully-armed communist rebels led by Benjamin Peralta A.K.A. Gani/Egan/Otoy clashed with elements of the army troopers of 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army and police at Sitio Sablang, Barangay Diteki here lasts week resulting to the wounding of a number of rebels.

Joint elements of Aurora Police Provincial Mobile Group , 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company, 7ID, PA led by one 1Lt. Nicholas and 48th Infantry Battalion, 7ID, PA led by a certain 1Lt. Ariel chanced upon the rebels.

As soon as the rebels were sighted, an army report said they immediately fired at the approaching troops, triggering 15 minutes of running gun battle.
The rebels reportedly retreated to the nearby forested areas, leaving behind three heavy firearms and ammunitions, the army, adding that they were able to confiscate an assorted 5000 board feet of illegally cut good lumber.

The army based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay said, it inflicted undermined number of wounded on the enemy side as indicated by bloodstains on the enemy’s route of withdrawal.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

Government troops recovered two US rifles cal 5.56 M16 rifles, one Cal. 45 pistol, one fragmentation grenade, two handheld radios, one bag pack full of uncooked rice, canned goods and personal belonging, one live ammo of M203 grenade launcher, bandoliers for M16, assorted food stuff, voluminous subversive documents, personal effects and assorted medicines. The recovered firearms are now in the custody of Aurora PPO for safekeeping.

“We are continuously conducting pursuit operations and establishing military presence and full force in the area to preempt illegal activities,” said Gen. Natalio Jayson, commanding officer, 48th IB.

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Aurora eco-zone officials bullish on investments
By Luis Jose

BALER, Aurora – Officials of the newly created Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority are bullish over the prospects of business in northeastern Luzon with start of operations of the Aurora Ecozone which is expected to generate investments and jobs for this province, considered one of the 200 poorest provinces.

Newly appointed ASEZA Chairman Joseph Delano-Bernardo, a former Philippine ambassador to Spain, said they are upbeat about the ecozone because Casiguran, the site of the ASEZA is an ideal place for such economic zones.

The ASEZA was created by virtue of RA 9490, an Act establishing the Aurora Special Economic Zone. It was signed into law by President Arroyo on June 29. The ecozone covers the entire area embracing Barangays Dibacong, Dibet and Esteves, all in Casiguran.

Bernardo, who was designated ASEZA chairman by President Arroyo, said a total of 10,000 hectares in Casiguran will be developed for the ecozone with an initial 10 hectares to house the administration office, a school of the Aurora State College of Technology, support systems and future locators.

Bernardo, said fears the location of the ecozone may not be ideal because the province is considered typhoon-prone were misplaced there are many typhoons coming from the China Sea than the Pacific Ocean.

“More importantly, Casiguran is surrounded by the Ildefonso Peninsula covering 12,000 hectares which protect it from any typhoon. From the rear side, you have the Sierra Madre mountains which protect Casiguran so it would be a misconception to be thinking of that,” Bernardo said of the typhoons.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, along with Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, House Deputy Majority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara and Casiguran Mayor Reynaldo Bitong, said they expect the first locator to be moving inside the Aurora Ecozone within two years when all facilities for intermodal transport – a sea port, an airport, and road networks - shall have been completed.

The P142-million Casiguran airport, which involves the construction of a 1.2-km. runway, will be finished in July 2009. The P63-million Casiguran Port Improvement Project, which involves construction of a 198-linear meter port with ro-ro ramp, will be completed in April 2009.

Angara said the necessary road networks, such as the San Luis-Bazal and Bazal-Pantabangan Roads will resume construction with funding from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). He added that thousands of employment opportunities will be made available once the ecozone has been fully operational, citing one shoe factory alone can employ as many as 1,800 persons.

Owners of at least three shoe factories have signified interest to put up branches in the ecozone, according to Bernardo.

Bellaflor Angara-Castillo said the ecozone signals the dawn of a new era in the province and a better quality of life for the local folk.

Angara-Castillo authored the original bill creating the Aurora special economic zone but this was vetoed in 1992 by then-President Fidel Ramos 10 days before he stepped down from power.

The bill was refiled by her nephew, Rep. Angara.

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Rampant illegal logging at Aurora nat’l park hit
By Luis Jose

BALER, Aurora – Illegal logging is now rampant inside the 5,676 hectare Aurora Memorial National Park with illegal loggers, many of whom heavily armed, imposing their will on law enforcers. A provincial board member said illegal loggers have feasted on forest products inside the park, sneaking out thousands of board feet of logs, particularly at nighttime.

During the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the provincial Capitol Tuesday afternoon, Board Member Mariano Tangson said illegal loggers invaded the park without being detected by the Philippine National Police and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Grabe na talaga ang illegal logging (Illegal logging has gone worse),” he said before the SP presided by Vice Gov. Gerry Noveras. Tangson who also decried that illegal logging goes on unabated despite the presence of a DENR sub-office and police detachment in Sitio Dimani, Barangay Villa.

Barangay Villa has become notorious due to illegal logging after calamities in 2004 triggered flash floods that destroyed a steel bridge and killed 13 people.

The SP earlier summoned PNP provincial director, Senior Supt. Romeo Teope and other police, DENR and barangay officials to shed light on the rampant illegal logging at the AMNP.

On Oct. 13, authorities recovered 1,000 board feet of abandoned logs at Dimani. Two weeks ago, a truckload of logs fell on its side because it was heavy with logs, also in Dimani.

Illegal logging was also blamed for the two-day brownout which struck Ma. Aurora town over the weekend when cut logs fell into power lines. Tangson, a former three-term mayor of San Luis town, said the PNP appears helpless in stopping logging at the park, even with a police contingent assigned at the site.

“It’s so brazen, it’s an eyesore that in Aurora, vehicles loaded with illegal logs pass through the checkpoints of the DENR and the PNP and they don’t see it. I don’t know if they don’t see it or they are playing blind to what is happening,” he said.
Last month, Tangson said in a privilege speech an average of 70,000 to 80,000 board feet of illegal logs are being spirited out of the park monthly.

They are loaded in kolong kolong (tricycles) particularly during nighttime, he said. Citing unnamed sources, he said around 130 illegal loggers are involved in the massive destruction of forest resources inside the park. Teope said illegal loggers at the park are heavily armed. He said the police force should be augmented by producing more warm bodies to form a united front against the perpetrators. “If you have only a few bodies to man the park, it’s like feeding them to the wolves,” he said, adding that they are outnumbered by the illegal loggers.

Insp. Michael Amio, Ma. Aurora police chief, said while they were bent on stopping illegal logging, they could not do so without the cooperation of barangay folk.

Victorino Supsup, barangay chairman of Villa, said illegal loggers have devised ways to avoid detection by police. He said chainsaws used in felling down logs are equipped with silencers. Afterwards, the chainsaws are buried in pits and covered with soil to avoid getting confiscated by authorities.

Supsup said he brought up the matter to the attention of Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, saying they fear for their lives. “Please protect us,” he pleaded to the board members.

The hearing heated up after Tangson claimed that illegal logging became worse at the park when Teope assumed his post last year from Senior Supt. Teodoro Saclolo.

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Aurora gov is RP’s best local chief exec

BALER, Aurora – For the second year in a row, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has been named the Most Outstanding Local Chief Executive for her pioneering programs on social welfare services.
The award was bestowed on Angara-Castillo by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City highlighting the 12th National Social Welfare and Development Forum on Wednesday. Aida Rutaquio, provincial social welfare and development officer received the plaque of recognition in behalf of Angara-Castillo from ALSWDOPI president Ernesto Montecillo. The governor is on official mission to Australia.

In October, Angara-Castillo was also the recipient of the 2007 Search for Most Outstanding LCE by the group in ceremonies at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

The 2008 Forum was graced by social welfare and development officers in the provincial, city and municipal levels, the respective chairpersons of the committee on social services of the provincial board, city municipal councils and municipal presidents of day-care workers’ federations nationwide.

In handing the award, the group cited her for carrying out her six-point development agenda in her native province of Aurora centering on the needs of the poor and the needy, particularly the so-called vulnerable sectors of society such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous peoples (IPs), out-of-school youths, unemployed women, single mothers and senior citizens.

The governor was credited for establishing the P5-million People Empowerment and Advancement Center (PEACE) in this capital town to attend to the needs of the sector. The Center, funded by a grant of the Japanese Embassy through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Security Project, empowers the sector to participate in mainstream development by providing them with skills training necessary for their employment.

“By empowering them to become productive citizens, you give them hope and confidence to live decent lives,” Angara-Castillo said.

Guy Tuzon, executive assistant of the governor, told The STAR that the award by no less than the ALSWDOPI, considered the mother of all social welfare institutions in the country, is a fitting tribute to her role as hands-on chief executive and mother figure of the province, considered one of the 20 poorest provinces in the country.

Tuzon said as hands-on governor, Angara-Castillo shows her passion for public service by keeping personal touch with the people, particularly the sector, by interacting with them, listening to their problems, feelings and aspirations.

Tuzon added that the governor was able to interact with them, particularly children, being a mother herself concerned with the welfare of her offspring.

The governor, a former congresswoman, was the principal author of the Early Childhood Care and Development Act in the House of Representatives.

This year, the provincial government launched its own child minding center at the Capitol compound to cater to children of Capitol employees. – MG

NPA: 8 soldiers slain in Aurora

By Luis Jose

SAN LUIS, Aurora – The New People’s Army in Aurora province said Thursday eight Army Scout Rangers were killed and four others were wounded in a recent clash on Mount Katupnan in San Luis town.

The NPA’s Domingo Erlano Command belied an earlier claim by the military that an NPA guerrilla and four others were wounded during the firefight here in Barangay Dimatubo Aug. 15.
“The military cannot produce any body because its claim is not true,” it said.

Rowena Cervante, NPA spokesman in Aurora, said what happened during the clash conflicted with the claim of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division.

“It is not true that none of the soldiers were injured,” she said.

Last Aug.15, Cervante said a platoon of Scout Rangers led by one Lt. Ngao-i was poised to conduct “strike operations” at Mount Katupnan by posing as NPA guerrillas.

She said the soldiers were housed in three tents when NPA rebels attacked them, triggering a five-minute clash that allegedly killed eight soldiers and wounded four others.

“The fact is that the soldiers kept on firing for 30 more minutes after the NPA guerrillas had already left,” she said.

The NPA accused the military of committing various human rights violations under its Oplan Bantay Laya 2 as the so-called Aurora Development Plan is being carried out.

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Aurora vice mayor, 8 men nabbed for illegal logging
By Luis Jose

DIPACULAO, Aurora – The vice mayor of this town and eight others were nabbed and detained in connection with the alleged attempt to smuggle two truckloads of “hot lumber” in this town last year.

Senior Supt. Romeo Teope, provincial police director, served the warrant of arrest issued by Baler Regional Trial Court Branch 66 Judge Armando Yanga to Vice Mayor Narciso Amansec last week in his office.

Amansec, 48, a former provincial board member, was detained at the provincial jail in the capital town of Baler.

No bail was recommended for his provisional liberty by prosecutors Jonald Hernandez and Hyderabad Casar as the charge against him, qualified theft in relation to PD 705 or the Forestry Laws, Rules and Regulations is a capital offense.

Aside from Amansec, also arrested and detained were Demmy Agbayani, Danny Arellano, Reynaldo Macanas, Ricardo Macanas, Luis Mariano, Teresita Mariano, Elmo Olog, Rolly Rivera and Lito Romano.
Amansec’s arrest came amid a renewed campaign by Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo against illegal logging operations in the province, which has one of the largest forest covers in the country.

Earlier, the governor created a task force to run after illegal loggers in the province and directed Benjamin Mina, DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer, to lead the campaign in coordination with various government agencies.

Castillo said there will be no sacred cow in the campaign, saying no one will be spared. “We are determined to stop illegal logging in Aurora no matter who gets hurt,” she said.

The case against Amansec and the eight others arose following a complaint lodged by the former police station commander of this town in connection with the seizure of some 10,000 board feet of illegally sawn lumber in Dinadiawan in two separate operations on Nov. 13 and 16 last year.

The “hot cargo” was about to be transported in two trucks when intercepted by the police.

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Sen. Angara proposes creation of new region
BALER, Aurora – Sen. Edgardo Angara has bared plans of creating a new region that would include Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and this province into what will be known as the North East Pacific Region, distinct from Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley.

Angara told reporters at the Aurora State College of Technology during the inauguration of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences here late last month he had broached the idea of the new region to Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Ma. Luisa Cuaresma and Rep. Carlos Padilla, who both expressed support for it.

“They support it because it’s an idea that makes sense,” he said.

Padilla confirmed that he and Cuaresma are backing up the proposed region. “Maybe we will talk with Sen. Angara on the possibility of filing a bill on this or not,” he said..

For her part, the senator’s younger sister, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, said she has yet to discuss the issue with her brother.

Angara said he hopes that Isabela, through the leadership of Gov. Grace Padaca, would also support the proposal, which would carve out southern Isabela from Palanan down to the boundary of Aurora as part of the NEPR.

Angara said Quirino was included in the proposed region because it is inaccessible and in fact, more accessible to Aurora with Cabarroguis town just less than an hour away from this province. On the other hand, Bayambang in Nueva Vizcaya is just two hours away from Aurora.

He said they will hold consultations in the four provinces as part of an information drive for the proposed NEPR.

Angara said the four provinces proposed to be grouped under the NEPR are located in a wilderness area bordering the Pacific Ocean.

He said the proposed region hosts the two biggest water sources, the Casecnan Dam and the Umiray River, which supply water to the Pantabangan and Angat dams. The area, he said, also boasts of the two largest mountain ranges in the country – the Sierra Madre and Caraballo.

“If you notice, we have many things in common – we are rich in water resources, timber, fish and marine resources. We will make for a very cohesive and compatible region,” he said.

He added that the four provinces can have a common infrastructure, intermodal transport, school district and health program.

Angara said the four provinces already have a common health program through the establishment of the UPSHS, which would service students from these areas.

He said the school has enlisted 35 scholars from the province, 15 in Nueva Vizcaya, eight in Isabela, and one in Nueva Ecija.

The senator from Baler said the creation of the new region will have to be made through an act of Congress and is tailor-made for a federal system of government.

“If we go federal, this is perfect. Para kang State of Nevada (You are like the State of Nevada),” he said.

Under the present set-up, Quirino, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya belong to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) while this province is part of Central Luzon. Aurora used to be under the Southern Tagalog region but President Arroyo transferred it to Central Luzon reportedly to fast-track its development. -- MG

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65 nuns, mountaineers conquer, reforest Aurora’s 7,000-ft high Mt Balagbag

SAN LUIS, Aurora – Sixty five nuns and mountaineers successfully scaled and reforested the peak of the 7,000-feet high Mt. Balagbag in Barangay Dimanayat in this town last week. The recent two-day historic climb atop Mt. Balagbag established two mountaineering records – the first documented successful climb and the first documented reforestation of the mountain which has also been christened Mt. England by local mountaineers.

Leonardo Usita, national president of the Noble Blue Falcons International said the twin feats were pulled off by mountaineers from the Aurora chapter of the NBFI led by its provincial chairman Christopher Usita.

Others who took part in the historic ascent were the Elite Red Falcons Climbers, Mandaragit International, the Aurora chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), The Blue Masons of Peace and Environment, The Life International Christian Fellowship; Bus, Jeepney, and Tricycle Operators and Drivers of the Philippines for the Peace and the Environment, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka, Mangingisda at Manggagawa ng Pilipinas para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan; The Blue Native Sons-Philippines; Tanglaw ng Karunungan Movement, Kalasag ng Kapayapaan Crusade; Bughaw, Krusada para sa Kapayapaan at Kalikasan; Aurora Sierra Madre Blue Mountaineers and Usita Advocates for Good Governance and Radyo Natin-FM (RN-FM), Hotel Sogo Mountaineers (HSM), Isuzu Gencars Backpackers (IGB) which were among the sponsoring organizations.

Usita said Mt. Balagbag has caught the fancy of thrill-seeking mountaineers for its abundant mineral deposits, tropical rainforest and spring water believed to cure incurable sicknesses.

NBFI administrator Marilyn Jacla said Mt. Balagbag poses a monumental challenge for the mountaineers due to its steep elevation, enormous height, slippery hills and the presence of deadly snakes along its path. “The presence of danger to life and limb lurking in one’s path makes the conquest an unforgettable experience and one successful climber, upon reaching the top, is constrained to exclaim I’m a legend,” she said excitedly.

Professor Joseph Beatriz Usita, an internationally acclaimed historian and geographer, said the historic climb was inspired by Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo who has been actively promoting environmental preservation and conservation as one of the cornerstones of her administration.

He said the feat has evolved into a climb-for-a-cause rather than an attempt at personal glory and prestige since reforestation was made an integral part of the activity through a tree-planting project dubbed “Akyat Kalikasan” wherein narra seedlings were planted at its slopes.

“The historic trek was like hitting two birds with one stone. It enhanced the skills of Filipino environmentalists and boosted environmental awareness and promoted Aurora’s potentials as a tourism mecca.

The climb was highlighted by the donation of one brand-new computer, printer and TV set by the Noble Blue Falcons Mountaineer to the Church-run Our Lady of Consolation Learning Center in this town which teaches environmental protection to its pupils. -- MG

NGOS urge Atienza to reinstate sacked DENR exec

DINGALAN, Aurora — Four non-government organizations and people’s organizations have urged Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza to reinstate the former community environment and natural resources officer in southern Aurora, as they belied reports of rampant illegal logging in this town.

The 1,200-strong Ugnayan ng Mamamayan sa Lungsod at Nayon, Inc. (Umalun), the Catholic Association of Ibona composed of 525 families, the Dingalan chapter of Task Force Sierra Madre and the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee, all urged Atienza to reconsider his relief of former CENRO chief Meliton Vicente Jr., citing his efforts to protect the natural resources of the southern portion of the province.

They also denied reports that illegal logging has been rampant in this town.

In a dialogue with Atienza at the DENR central office on May 8, leaders of the four groups, headed by Roberto Modesto, decried the lack of due process in the relief of Vicente.

They said Atienza replaced Vicente with Joselito Blanco without first conducting an investigation on the alleged resumption of illegal logging activities here.

During the dialogue, Modesto told Atienza that Vicente has in fact been doing a commendable job of containing illegal logging in Dingalan, describing as “brazen lies” reports that logging trucks have been passing through the town daily. — MG

Atienza fires DENR official over illegal logging in Aurora

By Luis Jose

DINGALAN, Aurora -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. on April 28 ordered the immediate relief of a DENR official in this town after illegal logging activities in the province were confirmed.

"I have personally confirmed the report from my independent sources in the area and I have found that it has sufficient basis," the DENR chief said.

Atienza ordered the relief of Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Meliton Vicente Jr. following reports from Task Force Sierra Madre Dingalan chapter head Fr. Pete Montallana that illegal loggers are again active in Aurora province.

"Like as I always told our officials, Vicente will not only be relieved of his duties but we will also make him answerable for all these charges of illegal logging in his area of responsibility. Appropriate charges will definitely be filed against him," Atienza said.

In the meantime, Vicente will be replaced by former CENRO for Cabanatuan City Joselito Blanco.

The DENR chief said a combined team of legal and law enforcement agents from the DENR will be dispatched to Dingalan town and other areas in Central Luzon to gather more information about illegal logging activities in the area so necessary legal measures will be taken.

"We have seen in Dingalan four years ago the wrath of nature when landslides killed a number of townspeople and sent several thousand others homeless," Atienza said.

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Automatic conversion of capital towns into cities sought by solon
By Luis Jose

BALER, Aurora — Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara (Aurora) urged Thursday provincial governors, whose provinces have no city yet, to appeal to President Arroyo to allow the automatic conversion into cities of the capital towns of provinces but not to the detriment of existing cities in the country.

Angara said it is unfair for small provinces if their capital towns are not converted into city because this would hamper economic, political and socio-cultural development of these towns which serve as the capital, which is the center of trade and commerce.

The congressman, a son of Senator Edgardo Angara, has filed a House resolution seeking the creation of Baler into a component city, saying that its conversion will spur the economic growth and progress of this historic town.

Located 232 km east of Manila, Baler was the birthplace of the first Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon.

The declaration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day which was initiated by Senator Angara was jointly signed by President Arroyo and Spanish government on June 30, 2002 at the Museo de Baler here.

It depicted the heroism, bravery and gallantry displayed by both the then disease-infected Spanish soldiers and then Filipino rebels during the historic ‘Siege of Baler’ in 1898.

Founded in August 19, 1608, Baler which was composed of only 13 small villages has a very small land area of 8,180 hectares with a measly P35-million internal revenue allotment.

The town has a population of 34,000.

With the requirements provided in the Local Government Code, it’s impossible for a small province like Aurora to become a city, the younger Angara told Manila Bulletin.

"That’s why I’m calling all the governors who have no city yet in their respective provinces to appeal to President Arroyo to support the measure and its approval by Congress but not to the detriment of existing cities, the solon said.

"Kumbaga sa paghahatian ng pizza pie, sana palakihin na lang ni Presidente yung pizza pie para mas marami ang makikinabang at walang mawawalan," he said.

On the young Angara’s proposal, Senator Loren Legarda said she will look into the possibility of amending the Local Government Gode so that the clamor of governors whose respective provinces have no cities yet may be addressed.

"I will look into it, kasi sa amin sa Antique eh wala pa nga palang siyudad," the lady senator said.
Although the League of Cities of the Philippines has a pending case at the Supreme Court in connection with its opposition to the conversion of 16 towns into a cities, Gapan City (Nueva Ecija) Mayor Ernesto Natividad said he is not against the conversion of any town into a city provided that their share of internal revenue allotment is not reduced.

"Sang-ayon ako na magkaroon ng siyudad ang mga probinsiya na walang siyudad upang umangat din ang kanilang ekonomiya pero huwag lang sana bawasan ang share namin (I agree that there should also be a city for every province without a city to hasten economic growth so long as our IRA share is not reduced)," Natividad said.

Foreign investors eye P120 million cable car project in Aurora
By Luis Jose

DINGALAN, Aurora – A group of Japanese, Korean and Filipino investors are eyeing a P120-million cable car project in this coastal town to promote the province as an investments and tourism haven and perk up the local economy.

Businessman Romeo Callanta, chairman of the RC Electric Corp. said the cable car project will be the first of its kind in the country and will be similar to the cable car line in the Hong Kong Ocean Park.

Callanta, a consultant of Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and local partner of the foreign investors, said they are eyeing to install the cable car along a nine-kilometer area in this town, through an aerial cruise with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean as backdrop.

“This will officially be the first commercial cable car project in the Philippines and this will be located in Aurora,” he said. He said there is an existing cable car project at the Tagaytay Highlands but this is used exclusively by golfers.

Callanta said the Japanese and Korean investors are eyeing to install up to 50 units of cable cars with a loading capacity of six passengers each or 300 passengers per round trip.

Each ride is expected to cost P100. Callanta also said the provincial government is expected to generate income from the operations of the cable car line of P83 million or more. In addition, local residents will be employed in the project.

“Essentially, it will have a domino effect in Dingalan and the entire Aurora,” he said.
Ben Mina, provincial environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the cable car project will also enhance the province’s image as a potential eco-tourism site in Central Luzon. Along the route of the cable car line, also being eyed is a booking office for passengers and a one-hectare commercial area which will house souvenir shops, coffee shop, theme park, playground, eight waves swimming pool similar to the 8-Waves Park in Baliuag, Bulacan and fastfood outlets of such food chains as Jollibee and McDonald’s.
Callanta said that aside from Hong Kong, other countries which operate a cable car line are the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and other European nations. He cited that in Switzerland, there is a popular place known as Iceglaze where cable cars are the mode of transport.

Angara-Castillo said the provincial government will provide tax incentives to the foreign investors who would invest in the cable car project. She said that the provincial government will not spend a single centavo for the project.

She hinted that several prospective investors have signified interest to put up businesses in the province, noting that at least P1.5 billion in outside investments is being worked out by the provincial government.

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Illegal logging back in Dingalan, folk say but DENR execs say no
BY LUIS JOSE

DINGALAN, Aurora – Illegal logging has reportedly resumed with wild abandon in this coastal town although local officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said this was part of retrieval operations allowed by the agency to recover logs felled in calamities in 2004.

But local folk who spoke on condition of anonymity said illegal logging has gone unabated, particularly in Barangay Umiray at the boundary of Quezon and Aurora.

One of the sources said one incident was on Oct. 2 wherein at least 10 10-wheeler trucks loaded with “freshly cut” tablon (flitches) – estimated at 12,000 board feet per truck – left the town.
The truck drivers were reportedly allowed by the DENR to pass through checkpoints after showing permits signed by former ranking DENR official.

“May lumber dealers na kausap ‘yung tao tapos pirmado ng DENR kaya lumalabas na legal (They had negotiations with lumber dealers and had papers signed by the DENR so it appeared to be legal,” one of the sources said.

One of the trucks reportedly turned on its side while passing through Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.
Melton Vicente, DENR’s Dingalan community environment and natural resources officers, however said logs on board the 10 trucks that left Dingalan town that night (Oct. 2) were among those retrieved.

“Legal ‘yan (That’s legal),” he said, adding the cargo was part of the 1,200 cubic meters of logs that serve as payment of Siriporn Enterprises (SE), the contractor hired by the DENR’s Natural Resources Development Corp. (NRDC) which supervised the retrieval of the logs washed out by landslides in 2004.

Around 5,000 cubic meters of felled logs were reportedly retrieved, part of which were distributed to 776 families by a committee organized by the DENR ad the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Mayor Zenaida Padiernos echoed Vicente’s statements, saying the logs were old stocks.
“Mga naanod lang ‘yon. Yon ang alam ko (They were logs that drifted. That’s as far as I know,” she said.

But sources disputed the claims of Vicente and Padiernos, saying the logs could not have been part of those retrieved since they were freshly cut.

Siriporn, which operates a mini sawmill, was hired by the NRDC to hasten the cutting of the logs since it could not afford to hire a big sawmill for lack of funds.

Aside from Siriporn, a\ cooperative from Umiray was also reportedly involved in retrieval operations.

Eddie Ojeda, vice chairman of the Justice and Peace Action Group which had been critical of illegal logging in Dinbgalan, said the retrieval permit issued by the DENR would naturally result in rampant illegal logging in the town.