DENR to review IFMAs issued to 104 firms

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to review the Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMAs) issued to 104 companies nationwide.

DENR blamed the degradation of forests in Zamboanga Peninsula as the main reason for the massive flash floods and mudslides at the height of tropical cyclone Vinta (Tembin) in December.

Under the IFMA, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu explained that companies are allowed to establish industrial tree plantations in the area but are restricted to cut residual trees unless authorized by him.

Cimatu especially cited the need for compliance and performance evaluation of the IFMA sites, which included Dacon Group of Companies, which was ordered to stop operations of its two companies, South Davao Development Co. Inc, (SODACO) and the Sirawai Plywood and Lumber Corp (SPLC) in Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte.

DENR’s order came after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte blamed these companies for the flash floods and mudslides that killed dozens of people in Zamboanga Del Norte at the height of typhoon Vinta.

Cimatu said that, while several companies have stopped operating, there are reports of continued illegal poaching in these IFMA sites.

“We will make them (the IFMA holders) accountable if we find that there were violations in what are supposed to be their obligation to help manage the forest, and not to be the culprit behind such environmental degradation,” Cimatu said.

Of the 104 IFMAs across the country, DENR said that 40 were in Luzon, 13 in Visayas, and 51 in Mindanao.

It was also gathered that there were 10 IFMAs issued in Zamboanga Peninsula where the flash floods occurred.

Meanwhile, Cimatu gave the 12-member DENR probe team until January 22 to complete its investigation of the Dacon areas that were cited as deforested portion of the Zamboanga mountain range that was shown to President Duterte.

According to initial reports from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Zamboanga, the frontline unit of DENR, the video of the deforested portion was believed to be the site preparation of SODACO, one of the two firms suspended by the DENR chief.

Under the IFMA, DACON companies were allowed to establish industrial tree plantations in the area, but restricted to cut residual trees unless authorized by the DENR Secretary.