PALO, Leyte, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The rampant cutting of
coconut trees in Samar provinces has raised alarm among officials in the
region, prompting them to push for a ban on the logging of the “tree of life.”
Regional Development Council (RDC) private sector
representative for environment Mario Ian Mosquisa said the region’s highest
policy-making body is now studying the proposed ban.
“We really want to save the industry especially
that it takes seven years to grow coconut trees and more years to make it
productive,” Mosquisa told PNA on Tuesday.
The official brought up the issue to the RDC after
the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development passed a resolution on
Dec. 6, 2016 requesting the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to implement a
total moratorium on coconut cutting in Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
Citing monitoring reports, PCA Regional Manager
Joel Pilapil, however, denied that the illegal activity exists in Samar provinces.
“The alleged rampant coconut cutting is just part
of the debris clearing operation after super typhoon Yolanda,” Pilapil said.
The RDC economic development committee has endorsed
the proposal for further study and approval of all key RDC members. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/Lalaine S. Badilla (OJT)
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