Aquino steps up drive vs illegal logging

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has ordered various concerned agencies to strengthen government efforts in curbing illegal logging and ensure the restoration and preservation of the country’s forests for the benefit of the future generations.
The President directed the departments of environment, justice, and interior and local government to discuss measures on how to improve and strengthen the campaign against illegal cutting and harvesting of timber.
“There are people who are not taking our log ban seriously and continue to defy it. They even conspire with members of government. Because of this, I ordered the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government and DENR to improve anti-illegal logging campaign and make sure that these people will be convicted,” he said during the silver anniversary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Malacañang.
“I also asked the Bureau of Corrections to reserve more space in jail for these illegal loggers. I expect them to arrest and convict more illegal loggers every month,” he added.
President Aquino in February last year issued Executive Order 23 declaring and indefinite log ban and creating an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force headed by the DENR head.
The President reiterated his commitment to protect the environment and plant more trees in line with the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).
The NGP was launched by Aquino last year as the government’s largest greening program, aiming to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide in five years.
Aquino planted the 100 millionth seedling produced for the NGP called tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea). The seedling came from the seed of the 65-year-old Tindalo tree, which was planted by then President Manuel Quezon in 1938. The tree stands at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
“If we adopt the turtle pace reforest program of the past administration, it will take us 280 years to restore the forest…Under the NGP, we will double the efforts in tree planting within six years…In the first year, we have planted 89.6 million trees in 128,600 hectares of land,” he said.
He said he will convince Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to increase the budget for NGP.
President Aquino also witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Agreements (MOA) between Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Governor Mujiv Hataman and the DENR on the delineation of the Armm’s forest boundaries and on the conduct of cadastral survey in the region.
Under the MOA, the DENR-national will assist the DENR-Armm in establishing a permanent boundary between its timberlands and alienable and disposable lands “in order to prevent activities that may be detrimental to its forests.”
The cadastral survey, meanwhile, will hasten the processing and issuance of land titles to the rightful claimants of public lands within the region.
The DENR turned over two checks amounting to P44 million and P377 million as financial assistance to Armm for forestland delineation and cadastral survey, respectively.
Hataman also received a P11-million check for the first tranche of the P49.6-million fund assistance for the implementation of the NGP in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
5-million donation for environmental heroes
Additional P5-million endowment fund was also allocated for the families of DENR employees who have died while performing their duty in protecting the environment.
The fund will be administered by the Alay sa Anak ng Bayani (Alab) ng Kalikasan Foundation Inc. of which former Chief Justice Reynato Puno will serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The seed fund for the foundation amounts to P314,241 donated by the Civil Service Commission in September 2011 derived from the proceeds of a fundraising fun run event.
To date, 14 DENR employees and environmentalists have been killed under the Aquino administration, DENR Butuan employee Ricardo Magallanes being the most recent on June 1.
“This series of events has a chilling effect on various environmental groups,” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said.

He cited the case of the illegal logging operations discovered inside the 13,800-hectare forest traversing Zambales and the Pangasinan town of Mangaterem.
The senator said the Aquino administration’s call for environmental protection should be matched by measures that will protect those who respond to the call.
To abate the killings, Cayetano suggested the creation of a joint DENR and Department of Justice (DOJ) task force to investigate the deaths and recommend measures to counter the deadly tactics of the syndicates and unscrupulous businessmen.
Cayetano said that with local agencies manning the front lines, it is the responsibility of the National Government to provide all the support in the campaign particularly against illegal loggers and miners.
Adopt-an-estero program
Also in the event, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje presented to President Aquino 40 new partners in its “adopt-an-estero” or water body program intended to enhance private-public sector partnership to rehabilitate the degraded waterways in the country.
The program comprises of 36 private companies including four mining companies and four local chief executives.
Paje said the new partners have committed to restore water bodies in different parts of Calabarzon region, Pangasinan province and San Juan River in Metro Manila.
Among the 40 new partners include Absolut Distillers Inc., Amkor Technology Phils. Inc., Antel Holdings Inc., AP Renewable Inc., Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific of Manila Inc., Cathay Pacific Steel Corp., Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc., Clean Echo Techwin Inc., Cleanway Technology Corp., CMPC & BEVCO Philippines Inc., Consolidated Distillers of the Far East Inc., First Gas Power Corp, Holcim, Jetti Petroleum Inc., and Horizon Land Property Development Corp.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/06/19/aquino-steps-drive-vs-illegal-logging-227662

Camping is one of the popular outdoor activities that take place in Clearwater Resort which is generally regarded as one of the best hotels in Clark Philippines. Here in this popular resort in Pampanga there is a safe and clean campsite that comes also with a private campfire ground for a complete camping experience outside of Manila. Guests and families camping at this private resort in Pampanga often enjoy outdoor facilities by the lake, the beach and picnic grounds also. Clearwater Resort is considered by schools, event organizers and social groups as one of the best campsites in the Philippines.

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

Where to stay in Clark, Philippines?

Voted Best Hotel in Clark Pampanga, this beach resort is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is a place of leisure that is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of this resort hotel in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. Clearwater is one of the best hotel in Clark and the resort is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga.

Philippines Travel Guide just unveiled recommendations and tips for safe and secured destinations during Holy Week and Easter Holidays in Philippines, Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Clark. The report covers highly recommended resorts and hotels in North Luzon, nice getaway destinations for families with children to enjoy activities in the outdoor, secured, safe and convenient place for tourists to relax and unwind, luxurious restaurants offering privacy and good ambience, best clubs in Pampanga and resto bars in Angeles City, pubs in Clark and fine dining restaurants in Pampanga, frequently visited places as well as historical sites in Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines.

Clearwater is generally regarded as is a place of leisure and the best private resort in Pampanga. This Clark hotel is the most frequently visited private resort outside Manila for corporate planning and team building because of its exclusivity. Clearwater is well regarded among frequent visitors to Clark as one of the best resorts in Pampanga.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)