DAVAO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA)- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI) said they will be constantly watching over the Mt Makibol-Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA) in Marilog, Davao City which is an identified Philippine Eagle nesting site.
A part of the conservation forest became controversial when various petitioners spearheaded by environmentalist groups opposed the granting of a tree-cutting permit to a private landowner on 12.2-hectare property located inside the MMACA. The cutting would involve 121 full-grown trees of various species.
The cutting area was determined to be close to the nesting site of a Philippine Eagle.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in a letter dated December 7 and addressed to DENR-XI declared the city government’s support to the move of the petitioners in opposing the granting of the tree-cutting permit in the area.
During an interview yesterday (Jan. 17) DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco said the permit to cut issued to the landowner had already expired (Dec. 18) and they (DENR) had not renewed it.
“We are still monitoring if the owner is still cutting trees, since October of 2021 there is no more cutting, out of 121 trees isa lang jud ang giputol (one was just cut),” RED Evasco said.
“We are monitoring the area weekly, we have a forest ranger stationed in the area to check and monitor,” RED Evasco added.
The MMACA covers 8,819 hectares, its old-growth forest is known for its biodiversity, a home to various plant and animal species including the Philippine Eagle. It also replenishes the aquifers of the Suawan-Kulafu-Sub Watershed within the Davao City River Basin and the forest reserve also serves as a carbon sink. (PIA/RG Alama)
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