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