Indigenous Crops Watch of Sorsogon contests cutting of Pili trees

By: Irma A. Guhit

Sorsogon City - March 28 (PIA) - The Indegenous Crops Watch of Sorsogon (ICWOS) headed by Joeris T. Olbes and Alma P. Gamil is contesting the issuance of permit to cut  of 100 old-growth pili trees , here  in the area of barangay Cabiguhan, Sorsogon City bordering the municipality of Gubat , issued by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)

"It is very alarming to cut 100 old-growth pili trees knowing that the current government's campaign is a total log ban" according to Reynaldo Fulleros,president of the Man and Nature Association  Inc. (MANA) of barangay Central, Bulusan, Sorsogon.

ICWOS has forwarded a letter to Dr. Dennis Arsenio B. Ella,Scientist III, Forest Product Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) of the Department of  Science and Technology (DOST) of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna strongly contesting  theissuance of the permit to cut  of the 100 pili trees and requesting an official review of the issuance of the permit.

"As one of the most authoritative voice in the Pili Industry, we are earnestly seeking for your crucial opinion regarding this issue" as stated by the IWOCS in their letter to Dr. Ella.

According to the CENRO Office here, there is already a certificate issued by the Sorsogon City Agriculture Office declaring  these 100 trees as unproductive.

The ICWOS believes otherwise.They strongly adhere to the belief that these trees can still be extracted with resin , known as "Manila Elemi".

ICWOS stated that the cutting of such massive number of trees can hurt the biodiversity and eco-system of the surroundings that provide watershed enhancement, sanctuary to birds and act as situ-germplasm.

With climate change now and the continuous rains here, trees are needed as flood control mechanisms, according to Olbes.

"Our group has just participated to the 3rd Pili Congress and it is very unusual for an agency like the CENRO to issue a massive cutting permit specially pili which is one of the best endemic trees of the Bicol Region and Sorsogon " ,Olbes explained.

The Regional Coordinating Chairman of the Yellow Armies of Kalikasan at Proteksyon (YAKAP) of Bulusan expressed the same sentiments.

In Bulusan according to Fulleros, hundreds of old-growth pili trees abounds and are never cut  since they have considered these pili trees as landmarks and legacy trees. These trees contribute still to the biodiversity of Bulusan and is one of the best visual enhancer of the place.

ICWOS has also forwarded the same letter to the Bicol Regional Pili Board chaired by Dr. Estela B.Orulfo and the Department of Agriculture , RO5.

"Our group is now urgently requesting a personal statement from Dr. Ella and also a clearance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of Sorsogon to clarify us on the issue, guide the public on the legality of the action. We still stand united in keeping safe our environment", the IWOCS group expressed. (PIA Sorsogon)