DENR wants illegal logging stopped 'right away'

Following a crackdown on erring mining companies, Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said she is now keeping an eagle eye on illegal logging.

"We are going to discuss that today – illegal logging," she said in an interview on GMA News' "News to Go."

Among those expected to attend Monday's discussions are Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Interior Secretary Ismael D. Sueno, as well as representatives of Bayan Muna.

"We're coming here today and I have a really, really, really good action team and a very good coordination with General Bato," Lopez said. She did not elaborate if Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa, director general of the Philippine National Police, is also attending the meeting.

"We're gonna stop illegal logging also – right away. We just need to have a system. We're gonna stop it right away," she said.

On Thursday, Lopez announced during a press conference she has ordered 21 mining operations closed for violating mining and environmental laws as a result of a months-long industry audit.

Four mining firms in Zambales – BenguetCorp Nickel Mines Inc., Eramen Minerals Inc., LNL Archipelago Minerals, and Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. – were ordered closed for supposedly illegal logging activities and operating within a watershed.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the order will be final and executory in 15 days if the companies fail to appeal their respective cases.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) noted the order on mostly nickel producers will affect about 1.2 million people.

Two listed miners, Marcventures Holdings Inc. and Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., on Friday asked for a voluntary trading halt from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

In a filing on Monday, Marcventures requested for that the trading halt on shares listed on the PSE be lifted as it has not yet received any kind of notice from the DENR.

"Marcventures has not received any letter or order from the DENR. In this regard, we are requesting that the trading halt be lifted," it said. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News