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Sierra Madre:
Under Threat
A close look at illegal logging
in one of the Philippines’
last remaining old growth forests
Greenpeace Southeast Asia, April 2006
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PART 1
Aerial Survey Results
November 2005
Considering the unique biological and ecological importance of the
Northern Sierra Madre as the widest remaining tropical rainforest in the
Island of Luzon; owing to its rich and diverse ecosystems spanning from
coral reefs and seagrass beds to mangroves and beach forests, ultramafic
forests, forests over limestone, lowland dipterocarps to montane forests;
recognizing its status as home to a variety of endemic species of plants
and animals such as the rare Philippine Eagle, cloud rat and jade vine,
and threatened and endangered species like the pawikan and estuarine
crocodile; and because of its aesthetic, historical, cultural and economic
importance to the country, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
secure the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of the Northern
Sierra Madre Mountain Range within the Province of Isabela, its
communities, their culture and their way of life insofar as they are in
harmony with nature and do not alter the ecological systems and the
magnitude of biological diversity of the area. In so doing, the State shall
ensure the protection and conservation of biodiversity of the NSMNP xxx.
- Section 2. Declaration of Policy, Article I, Republic Act No. 9125 entitled
“Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) Act of 2001”
PREFACE In 1992,the Philippine Government proclaimed 287,861 hectares of land
area and 76,625 hectares of coastline water area of the Northern Sierra
Madre Mountain Range ("Sierra Madre") as part of a national integrated
protected area system. Through the enactment of Republic Act 9125, the
Sierra Madre was declared a natural park to further enhance its protected
areas status.
Republic Act 9125 also provided the Sierra Madre an extra layer of
protection (called the “buffer zones” covering adjacent areas one (1)
kilometer wide from the boundaries of the Sierra Madre) to which
restrictions and sustainable resource management strategies involving
local communities and the private sector are similarly applied in order to
repel threats to the protected area.
The law further declares that all primary (old growth) forests within the
Sierra Madre including portions which have been previously declared as
alienable and disposable, shall be classified as strict protection zones and
shall be free from all forms of logging or exploitation, commercial or
otherwise; except portions of primary forests which may be classified as
sustainable use zones. Under the law, “sustainable use” is defined as—
“the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that
does not lead to the decline of the species used and not causing
permanent or long-term diminishment or qualitative degradation of
biological species, ecological functions or of other resources extracted or
disturbed, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and
aspirations of the present and future Filipino generations”.
The law also enumerates the illegal acts within the Sierra Madre and the
buffer zones. The illegal acts relating specifically to forest protection are:
(i)
Cutting, gathering, collecting or removal of timber or other
forest products without prior permit from the Protected Area
Management Board (“PAMB”); provided that any permit
issued shall be valid for only one (1) year at a time and given
only to – (a) tenured migrants in the Sierra Madre within
sustainable, monitored and controlled quotas, and (b) for
scientific purposes necessary for protected area management;
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(ii)
Possession or use of chainsaws and band saws without prior
permit from the PAMB; provided that permits may only be
issued for multiple use and buffer zones;
(iii)
Engaging in kaingin (slash and burn farming) or in any
manner causing a forest fire inside the Sierra Madre or its
buffer zones.
Despite the proclamation of the Sierra Madre as a protected area, there
have been persistent reports or information that illegal logging activities
continue to be conducted within the area (see Appendices 1-3 for photo
documentation on illegal logging activities in 2001-2004).
INDICATIONS AND On 08 November 2005, an aerial survey of the Northern Sierra Madre
EVIDENCE OF Natural Park and its buffer zones (the “Sierra Madre”) was conducted by a
ILLEGAL LOGGING composite team of Greenpeace researchers/volunteers, and professional
hires (“Greenpeace Team”).
Using a 5-seater light aircraft flying at an altitude of five hundred (500)
meters for a total flying time of two (2) hours, the Greenpeace team
proceeded to conduct visual inspection, photo and video documentation
of indications and/or evidences of illegal logging in the Sierra Madre.
The aerial survey was conducted from around eleven o’clock in the
morning to past one o’clock in the afternoon (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Philippine time) over nine (9) selected sites under the following
latitude/longitude coordinates:
Site no.
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Location/ Name
Abuan River
Ambabok/ Catallangan
Dunoy Lake
Dungsog Lake
Kamalaklakan
Pagsungayan
Digud/ Disabungan
Diwagao
Diguse
Latitude
17o 06’24”
17o 01’38.6”
16o 59’ 55.7”
17o 00’ 59”
16o 58’ 45.5”
16o 50’ 03.7”
16o 50’ 03.4”
16o 45.337’
16o 45.219’
Longitude
122o 09’38”
122o 09’53.2”
122o 09’ 29.3
122o 11’ 38.8”
122o 12’ 07”
122o 11’ 27.3”
122o 09’ 51.3”
122o 10.452’
122o 10.609’
The sites listed above cover areas within the park and/or buffer zones
which are classified as strict protection zones under Republic Act 9125.
The selected sites encompass main river systems and tributaries which are
known to be the major avenues for the transport of logs felled from the
forests out into the logging roads. Most of the selected sites are also
known habitat areas for endemic species of flora and fauna such as the
Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and the estuarine crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus). Deforestation has continued to threaten the
existence of such endemic species.
Of the nine (9) sites surveyed, indications and evidences of illegal logging
were secured from five (5) sites. The Greenpeace Team sighted and
documented logged-out areas along river banks and mountain slopes,
and logging roads in nearby areas. Logging camps, trucks, built-up areas
with semi-permanent structures and cultivated agricultural land were also
sighted and documented.
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Following are the images captured and seen by the Greenpeace Team
with interpretation and comments of the technical adviser for the aerial
survey.
Site 1: Abuan river is the main water tributary where logs felled from the forests
Abuan River are transported to Barangay Alinguigan, in Ilagan, Isabela. According to
Greenpeace Sources, Barangay Alinguigan is the biggest producer and
distributor of wood furniture, timber and timber products in the entire
Province of Isabela.
Photos 1 and 2 show the
presence of logging camps (blue
colored tents), and flitches along
the river banks and bends.
Photo 1
Photo 2
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Photos 3, 4 and 5 show loggedout mountain slopes, logging
camps, and logging roads. The
foothills and mountains slopes
near river systems are most often
the first to be targeted for
logging because the logs/
flitches can easily be pushed into
the river.
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
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Site 2: Photo 6 shows areas along the river banks that have been cleared for
Ambabok / farming and a network of huts. According to unconfirmed verbal
Catallangan information, illegal settlers from as far as 20 kilometers away settle inside
the Sierra Madre and clear areas for planting corn and root crops. While
waiting for their crops to bear fruit (4 months in the case of corn) the
encroachers are said to be paid by middlemen to engage in illegal
logging.
Photo 6
Photo 7 shows flitches floating along the river bend. The average
measurement of these flitches are as follows:
Length = 8 to 10 feet
Width = 8 to 18 inches (the wider the higher the value)
Thickness = 4 to 8 inches
The sizes are such because flitches with sizes larger than these
measurements are harder to transport via the river system.
In the same photo, there is an elevated path across the river from where
the flitches are located (upper right). This elevated path is where carabaos
pull the logs or flitches up to the edge and to be dropped into the river
and floated to the other side to be tied together. The flitches are later
transported through the river system (using tire inner tubes for floatation)
or up to locations were logging roads are present (transshipment points).
Photo 7
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Photos 8 and 9 show scarring of
the mountain sides across the
Catallangan river. Scarring is
most likely caused by logs or
flitches sliding down mountain
sides into the river.
Photo 8 reveals a large volume
of wood which appears to be in
large commercial quantity.
Photo 9 captures a logging
camp with tents on the site. So
far, this site had the most
number of tents and flitches for
the entire aerial survey.
Photo 10 shows another
segment of the Catallangan river
where flitches can be seen at the
river’s edge, along the river
bend. Wood shavings can be
seen at the opposite edge (light
brown color at the upper, middle
portion of the photo) .
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Photo 11 shows a large volume
of wood as in Photo 8, which
appears to be in the tens of
thousands of board feet, or in
large commercial quantity.
Notice the wood shavings (light
brown color) at the bottom of
the picture. Logs were probably
cut up into flitches in this area.
Photos 12 to 15 of this site show extensive clearing of forestland and
conversion into agricultural land. Also shown are clusters of illegal
settlements.
Photos 12, 13 and 15 show flitches along the river banks.
Photo 14 shows piles of flitches at the left side of the clearing (middle of
photo).
According to sources, this site is a transshipment point of logs/flitches from
rivers to logging roads, that is why all photos of this site show logging
roads.
Photos 12 and 13 (above), 14 and 15 (below)
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Photo 16 shows two trucks at
the river’s edge. Where logging
roads are present, trucks are
used to haul illegally cut logs and
timber.
Site 4: Photos 17 and 18
Dungsog Lake (right) reveal clear
images of extensive
logging roads in a
thickly forested area
with dark green
patches—indicating
that the area could be
old-growth or primary
forest.
The clear view of the
logging roads from
the air suggests that
the logging roads are
fresh (clear cut less
than a month from
the time of the aerial
survey) and in current
use. Clear-cut portions
of a dense forest area
are often blocked
from aerial view
because the branches
of trees on the edges
of the clear cut
portion stretch out
and intertwine to
form a canopy over
such clear cut
portion in just a
month’s time.
Since the logging roads are fresh, there is basis to assume that logging in
this old-growth or primary forest area is on-going or has been recently
undertaken.
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Site 6: Photos 19 and 20 show extensive clearing of forests and human
Pagsungayan encroachment along the river banks.
Photo 19
Photo 20 shows that the logging road stretches until the river’s edge.
According to sources, this site is also known to be a transshipment point
for flitches transported along rivers to logging roads.
Photo 20
Site 7: Photos 21 and 24 show different views of the same area. All photos show
Digud / extensive clearing of forests along the river banks, human encroachment
Disabungan and land conversion to agricultural land and logging roads that extend up
to the river’s edge.
Photo 21 shows that the river bank on the left side has a light brown color
and a pile of flitches can be seen on the opposite site. This is probably an
area where logs and flitches transported via river system are stock piled
and processed then transported via logging roads to the furniture shops.
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Photos 21 and 22 (above) and 23 and 24 (below)
In Between the sites During the transit between the selected sites, the Greenpeace team
sighted and documented further indications and evidences of illegal
logging in the Sierra Madre. (These areas are also within the Sierra Madre.)
Photos 25 and 26 (above) and 27 and 28 (below)
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Photos 25 to 28 (previous page) show clear cut forests and logging roads.
Photo 26 shows a hut in the middle of the burnt area and another hut at
the upper left side of the picture. The grass in such clearings are burned
periodically by encroachers so that new shoots can grow. The new grass
attracts deer and wild boar which are hunted by encroachers.
Photos 29 to 31
show logged-over
areas that are
adjacent to rivers.
Photo 29
Photo 30
Photo 31 shows a logging camp at the lower left edge of a clearing.
Flitches can be seen along the bottom edge of the clearing.
Photo 31
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FOREST LAW The Sierra Madre badly needs a sustainable and widespread law
ENFORCEMENT AND enforcement mechanism that will focus on the apprehension and
GOVERNANCE prosecution of illegal loggers including violators of other environmental
laws such as the Chain Saw Act. While there are obviously no official
records, local sources believe that about a hundred to three hundred
chainsaws operate in the Sierra Madre everyday. They also claim that river
systems and coastal areas are rarely subjected to surveillance and
patrolling activities.
The aerial survey of Greenpeace in November 2005, though only of short
duration, was able to document that these claims are substantiated.
Logging camps, roads and also recent clear-cuts have been documented
in areas which are strictly protected from logging—on paper.
As a significant initial step, the government should physically demarcate
the extent of the “buffer zones” as provided by Republic Act No. 9125 in
order to create an effective deterrent to illegal loggers.
The park administrators blame the weak forest law enforcement in the
Sierra Madre on the lack of personnel and funding for operational and
logistical requirements for effective surveillance and monitoring.
Local sources, however, insist that one of the key drivers of rampant and
persistent illegal logging in the Sierra Madre is corruption among the ranks
of those who are mandated to enforce environmental laws. To verify this
and other allegations, Greenpeace continued its revisit of the Sierra Madre
by conducting interviews and undercover investigations on the ground.
Part Two will present the results of interviews and undercover
investigations, including conclusions and recommendations which, if
adopted, could contribute to a genuine and lasting foundation for the
reduction or elimination of illegal logging in the Sierra Madre.
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PART 2
Results of interviews,
and undercover
investigations
February 2006
PREFACE After conducting the aerial survey on the Northern Sierra Madre Natural
Park and its buffer zones (“Sierra Madre”) in November 2005, Greenpeace
took a closer focus into the illegal logging problem that continues to
plague the Sierra Madre. Greenpeace researchers/volunteers conducted
interviews of some members of the Agta tribe and local contacts; and
undertook undercover investigations on the furniture industry in the
provinces along the western side of the Sierra Madre (commonly called
the Cagayan Valley), mainly in Isabela and Cagayan.
The Agta tribe are the original inhabitants of the Sierra Madre. Practicing a
basically nomadic lifestyle within the expansive mountain range and
choosing to live inside the forests in isolation from other people, the Agtas
are the primary eye-witnesses to everything that happens inside the Sierra
Madre.
The furniture industry in Cagayan Valley exists mainly on wood and is
widely promoted by local leaders to have the potential to contribute
greatly to the area’s economic growth. Although it is admitted that raw
material (wood) has become more and more difficult to legally source, or
have even become scarce, local trade and industry officials continue to
project the furniture industry as one of the few industries which could
propel Cagayan Valley’s trade and commerce to national and
international markets.
Republic Act No. 9125, otherwise called the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) Act of
2001declares that all primary (old-growth) forests within the Sierra Madre including portions which have
been previously declared as alienable and disposable, are classified as strict protection zones and
protected from all forms of logging or exploitation, commercial or otherwise.
Although Republic Act 9125 allows portions of the primary forests of the Sierra Madre to be classified as
“sustainable use zones”, the current state of primary forest cover in the Sierra Madre and total forest
cover in the entire country cannot justify “sustainable use” defined under the law, to wit—
“the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the decline of
the species used and not causing permanent or long-term diminishment or qualitative degradation of
biological species, ecological functions or of other resources extracted or disturbed, thereby maintaining
its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of the present and future Filipino generations”.
Illegal acts relating specifically to forest protection under Republic Act 9125:
1.
Cutting, gathering, collecting or removal of timber or other forest products without prior
permit from the Protected Area Management Board (“PAMB”); provided that any permit issued
shall be valid for only one (1) year at a time and given only to – (a) tenured migrants in the
Sierra Madre within sustainable, monitored and controlled quotas, and (b) for scientific purposes
necessary for protected area management.
2.
Possession or use of chainsaws and band saws without prior permit from the PAMB; provided
that permits may only be issued for multiple use and buffer zones.
3.
Engaging in kaingin (slash and burn farming) or in any manner causing a forest fire inside the
Sierra Madre or its buffer zones.
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THE AGTA TRIBE OF THE At present, there are at least an estimated 1,400 families of the indigenous
SIERRA MADRE Agta tribe found in the Sierra Madre. Most of the remaining population of
the Agta tribe are concentrated in the municipalities of Palanan, Divilacan
and Dinapigue.
Agta family
Loss of food, Although a significant number among them have learned and adjusted to
habitat and the ways of lowlanders, they still prefer to hunt, plant crops and gather
way of life forest products for food. Those among them who have moved out of the
forests to live along the shorelines and riverbanks (commonly called
Dumagat) engage in fishing for sustenance.
The Agta daily diet consists of meat (boar, deer or monkey) and the root
crop called buklog. Through the years, however, the Agtas saw the
population of deer, wild boar and monkeys decline significantly. The Agtas
lament that twenty years ago it would only take around an hour or even
less time to catch prey. These animals have become very rare and the
Agtas have even to compete with lowlanders and encroachers who also
hunt for food in the Sierra Madre. When meat is unavailable, the Agtas live
on the root crop buklog.
But the Agtas also fear the disappearance of their traditional food buklog
and other root crops and tubers because these cannot grow in areas
where there is no forest canopy. With the Sierra Madre’s continued
deforestation and encroachment by people from the lowlands, the Agtas
believe there is cause for worry.
For shelter, the Agtas traditionally cut branches and twigs to build their
“lean-to” within the forests. However, because of the continued
deforestation in the Sierra Madre, the Agta population is being pushed to
the eastern coastlines of the mountain range, away from their natural
habitat, the forests.
It is not in the nature of the Agtas to cut down a tree completely for any
reason. But they admit that due to the scarcity of food in the forest, some
of the Agtas were lured into logging by commercial loggers and
encroachers engaged in illegal logging activities in exchange for a little
money or food.
When they started to earn a little more money from logging, some of the
Agtas acquired the habit of excessive gin drinking. Alcoholism and death
due to liver problems have been on the rise within the tribe.
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While they earned money from felling the trees of the Sierra Madre, the
Agtas eroded not only their habitat but also their cultural values. Although
majority of the Agtas have come upon this realization and have decided
to stop engaging in logging, the Agtas are divided and fighting among
themselves on the issue of illegal logging.
Illegal logging and Interviews with male members of the Agta community in the municipality
exploitation of Palanan, Isabela confirm that there are illegal logging activities going on
in the Sierra Madre at present.
The Agta-interviewees estimated that a single chainsaw operator takes
down 4 to 5 trees per day. They also usually see a logging team of 7
people who stay inside the forest for a straight 2 weeks, which is usually
the time the logging team’s food supply runs out. A logging team usually
takes down about 40 trees during a 2-week stay in the forest.
Based on the information provided by the interviewees, there are around
100 to 350 chainsaws operating on a regular day. It is not unreasonable
to assume that an average minimum of around 400 trees to an average
maximum of 1,400 trees are felled in the Sierra Madre on a regular day.
An Agta recently witnessed the hauling of around 40,000 board feet (96
cubic meters) of lauan (or meranti) (Shore negrosensis or Shorea contorta,
Shorea spp.) per day for 3 straight days from the forest into the Abuan
river. Another hauling involved some 4,000 board feet of narra (or
rosewood) (Pterocarpus vidalianus) per day. Narra or rosewood is a prime
target species in the Sierra Madre.
The Agtas maintain that loggers indiscriminately (regardless of age and
size) log and process species of trees that have a high value in the local
market such as tindalo (Pahudia rhomboida), narra, red lauan (Shorea
negrosensis), white lauan (Shorea contorta), tanguile (Shorea polysperma),
mayapis (Shorea squamata), guiho (Shorea guiso), yakal (Shorea astylosa),
ipil (Instia bijuga, also called Merbau or Kwila), almaciga (Agathis
philippinensis), and bagtikan (Parashorea plicata).
According to the Agtas, the bulk of the illegally cut logs are intended for
markets outside Isabela Province. On the eastern side of the Sierra Madre,
most of the logs and flitches are smuggled out by boat to Quezon
Province. On the western side of the Sierra Madre, the logs are smuggled
out via the Abuan River into Barangay Alinguigan in Ilagan City (Isabela
Province) to various points in the Philippines. The usual mode of
transportation are closed container vans or delivery trucks of newspapers
and dry goods.
Initially, because the Agtas knew their way inside the forests and because
they could tell the tree species by smell and color of the flowers in bloom,
they were used as guides by commercial loggers and encroachers. They
would point out the location and identify for the loggers the tree species
to be felled. As payment for services rendered, a little money, or a little rice
and a bottle of gin would be given to the Agta guides.
When the Agtas became comfortable relating to the loggers and
outsiders, they were taught how to operate the chainsaw. Convinced that
cutting the trees themselves instead of just being mere guides will earn
them more money, some of the Agtas agreed to cut trees for loggers and
encroachers or illegal entrants.
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An Agta admits that, at present, in his barangay, which is composed of 30
families, there are 31 chainsaws entrusted to them by loggers/financiers.
The usual arrangement is for the chainsaw operator to be paid Php1.00
per board foot, and an advanced amount for food costs for the duration
of the logging to be deducted from total compensation.
Modus Operandi for The Agtas and local contacts have observed that on the eastern coastline
transport of illegal logs of the Sierra Madre, illegal loggers coming from Quezon Province have
adopted a modus operandi for transporting illegal logs. First, they dock a
decoy boat in Palanan, Isabela and wait for a call from the loggers inside
the forest which will signal that the volume of logs for a full load of the
boat has been cut (around 11,000 board feet or 26.4 cubic meters for
lauan, or 3,500 board feet or 8.4 cubic meters for narra).
When the attention of the deputized law enforcers are drawn towards
the decoy boat in Palanan, the illegal logs are hauled and loaded to a
boat that is waiting in another area, far from the decoy boat.
While the logs or flitches are being hauled and loaded, the persons at the
decoy boat proceed to the nearby Philippine Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (“PDENR”) field office to pay docking fees, as well as
allegedly to deliver bribe money to PDENR personnel.
When the docking time limit is used up by the decoy boat, the loading on
the other boat shall have been finished and the boat shall have gone on
its way to Mauban, Quezon.
Law enforcement and Some Agta leaders are convinced that effective law enforcement is a key
political commitment factor in stopping illegal logging inside the Sierra Madre which can only
be achieved if the communities support it, and more importantly, benefit
from it. Law enforcement presence alone will not work if there is no
stakeholder support because illegal logging will simply resume after law
enforcers have left the area.
They also maintain that the process of shifting the values of the local
communities in favor of protection and law enforcement has been slow.
Of the 9 municipalities within the Sierra Madre natural park jurisdiction,
only the municipality of Maconacon has demonstrated some political
commitment on enforcing the law. The mayors of the other municipalities
have not demonstrated a real direction towards fighting illegal logging.
Politicians at the lower levels of governance such as the barangay officials
do not even dare speak against illegal logging for fear of losing their
positions in the next elections.
Agta children An Agta claims that timely reports of illegal logging to the PDENR
personnel were done in the past, however, the PDENR seem to have
mastered the art of arriving late at the scene of the crime such that no
arrests have been made on these reports.
Uncertain future The Agtas fear for the next generation of the tribe who may no longer
have any forest to protect them. Without the forests of the Sierra Madre,
there could be no real home for the Agtas.
Although the PDENR publicly maintains its recognition of indigenous
people’s rights and ancestral domain as mandated by law, the Agtas claim
that in reality, the PDENR has shown very little regard for indigenous
people and their role and responsibility in the management and
protection of the Sierra Madre.
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THE WOOD FURNITURE In terms of the number of registered firms with the Department of Trade
INDUSTRY and Industry (“DTI”), the wood furniture industry of Cagayan Valley is
OF CAGAYAN VALLEY considered the largest manufacturing sector in Cagayan Valley. This
dominance of the wood furniture industry sector is attributed to the fact
that Cagayan Valley still has a relatively large forest area where high value
hardwood such as narra are being sourced.
Despite current legal restrictions on logging activities (under the 2004
logging moratorium covering many provinces in the Philippines including
the Cagayan Valley or in natural forests covered under a legally-protected
area such as the Sierra Madre), the local leaders and the DTI continue to
rely on the wood furniture industry for much needed industrial output
and job generation in Cagayan Valley. This position is anchored on the
belief that the wood furniture industry has a strong comparative
advantage in terms of Cagayan Valley’s forest resource endowments.
A gigantic butaka chair
While DTI registration figures covering the period 1995-1999 reveal that
made of narra: a symbol of
there are only 961 wood furniture shops in Cagayan Valley (Industry
Isabela province’s
Cluster Profile, Wood Furniture Industry Region 2, DTI Industry Cluster
lucrative furniture industry
Program, 2000), DTI-registered wood furniture shopowners in Isabela and
Cagayan assert that there is a total of around 20,000 wood furniture
producers spread in the provinces of Cagayan Valley, the bulk of which
could be found in Isabela and Cagayan. They lament that 80% of the
actual existing wood furniture shops are unregulated and unmonitored
by the government.
Although most of the wood furniture shops are home-based and
categorized at micro-scale level (less than Php500,000 capitalization), there
are a number of them which have large manufacturing/wholesale
operations, usually with capitalization above Php3,000,000.00. According
to DTI and other officials, there are wood furniture firms in Cagayan Valley
readily capable in terms of production facilities and financial resources to
engage into direct exports; and a good number from the rest of the wood
furniture firms whose orientation can be geared towards a wider market
scope (i.e. Metro Manila) as shown by their willingness to expand on basic
production facilities.
Wood Requirements For the DTI-registered wood furniture shops, the declared average
and Illegal Sourcing / monthly consumption per manufacturer for the hardwood narra or
Illegal Logging rosewood is 1,500 board feet (or 3.6 cubic meters) while that of other
common hardwood is 622 board feet (1.49 cubic meters) (Figures are
based on presentation/background paper relating to the request to the
PDENR, among others, for an amnesty grant for illegally sourced wood
materials.) Some shopowners disclosed that the declared figures are much
lower than the actual average wood requirement per shop which is
actually at around 3000 board feet (or 7.2 cubic meters) for narra and
1,200 board feet (or 2.88 cubic meters) for other common hardwood.
Given as reason for the disclosure of lower figures for average monthly
wood requirements is that PDENR officers in Cagayan Valley have asked
them to downplay their statistics on wood requirements in order to avoid
triggering a perception that PDENR is not upholding current legal
restrictions on logging.
For micro-level shops located in Isabela, shopowners and middlemen
declared during undercover interviews that they are able to
process/convey around a monthly maximum of 700 board feet (or 1.68
cubic meters) for narra and a monthly maximum of 1,500 board feet (or
3.6 cubic meters) for other hardwood such as almaciga (Agathis/Kauri
Pine), and various Meranti (Lauan/Tanguile) species.
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In Cagayan, at the time the undercover investigation was conducted in
late 2005 until early 2006, the current selling price per board foot of narra
or rosewood was around Php43.00-Php46.00, while other hardwood
would sell at Php25.00-Php30.00 per board foot. In Isabela, at the time the
undercover investigation was conducted in late 2005 until early 2006, the
current selling price per board foot of narra or rosewood was around
Php80.00 while other hardwood will sell at around Php24.00-Php35.00
per board foot. The reason for the lower price per board foot for narra in
Cagayan could be attributed to the fact that narra is easier to access in
Cagayan due to narra suppliers coming from nearby province KalingaApayao who engage in logging activities in the forests of the Cordillera
Region.
The wood furniture shop owners source their wood raw material only
locally, meaning, only from Cagayan Valley where there is currently no
legal source for narra and other hardwood. They also do not import any
wood and they operate on a 12-month cycle. While the logging
moratorium has been lifted in a few parts of the country, these areas are
located quite far from Cagayan Valley and it is most unlikely that wood
furniture shopowners in Cagayan Valley are sourcing wood from them. It
simply will not be economically viable for them to source wood from these
far-away areas.
Identified as major supply/distribution points for wood raw material in
Isabela are Barangay Alinguigan in Ilagan City and the municipality of San
Mariano.
Due to its proximity to the Abuan River (where logs from the western side
of the Sierra Madre are transported through), Barangay Alinguigan is also
where many furniture shops could be found.
Passing through Barangay Alinguigan along the National Highway, it is
impossible to miss the common site of hardwood furniture display, as well
as boards being sun-dried/air-dried in the porches or terraces of houses in
the area.
Above: boards lined up along
the porch of a house and in the
terrace of a house-cum-furniture
shop in Barangay Alinguigan in
Ilagan City, Isabela
The municipality of San Mariano in Isabela encompasses the Isabela
Wilderness Area, a component of the National Integrated Protected Area
System (“NIPAS”) established by law (NIPAS Act)(1).
In Cagayan, the identified major supply/distribution points for wood raw
material are the municipalities of Peñablanca and Baggao. A group of
wood furniture shopowners from Cagayan admitted that they currently
maintain a common log pond in Barangay Lagum in Peñablanca. Logs
are smuggled out from Barangay Lagum via the river system into various
destination points.
21
The municipality of Peñablanca is known nationally as the home of the
touristic destination Callao Caves Resort; but more significantly, it
encompasses the Peñablanca Protected Landscape, also a component of
the NIPAS. The Peñablanca Protected Landscape belongs to the so-called
Sierra Madre conservation/biodiversity corridor.
Existing raw material At present, wood furniture industry leaders and representatives are
inventory earnestly lobbying at the PDENR for the lifting of the logging moratorium
in Cagayan Valley and for the grant of a 1 year amnesty period on the
utilization of illegally-sourced wood raw materials found at their
production sites. Existing raw material inventory is placed at a minimum of
1,500 board feet (or 3.6 cubic meters) per month per shop for 12 months.
Wood furniture producers contend that they need the 1-year amnesty
grant to utilize their illegally-sourced inventory to be able to meet
increasing demands from local and foreign buyers.
Illustrative case !
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Name of establishment: Digna Abad Wood Products
Products: narra furniture, parquet, lumber
Business location: Barangay Alinguigan, Ilagan City, Isabela Province
Business outlet: Sampaloc, Manila
No. of years in business: more than 20 years
Capitalization: above Php3 Million
Markets/product destinations: domestic consumers in Metro Manila,
Bulacan, Pampanga, as well as Cavite furniture exporters
Not registered with DTI
According to its woodcarvers and office personnel, Digna Abad Wood
Products is one of the biggest and oldest in the furniture business in Ilagan
City, Isabela Province. Its current owner, Digna Abad, who is a registered
nurse, inherited the business from her parents.
An office assistant boasted that Digna Abad Wood Products does not
have any problem meeting any amount of demand because it has its own
stable sources of the hardwood narra. The office assistant also emphasized
that they see no need to register with the DTI, participate in trade fairs or
affiliate with furniture industry associations to generate markets because
the owner has a reliable customer base.
Photo 1 (left)
Photo 2 (right)
Digna Abad Wood Products is located along the National Highway and
appears like a wealthy upper class home with an associated sawmill and
furniture production facility The fresh-cut rosewood boards are air-dried in
22
furniture production facility. The fresh-cut rosewood boards are air-dried in
the open area (Photo 2) and then used for the production of various kind
of indoor furniture, which are displayed in a small showroom.
Photo 3 (left)
Photo 4 (right)
Narra lumber is sun-dried in the open area behind the residential house
and display/storage area. The dark color of the wood and the sawdust
scattered on the soil suggest that the lumber was recently processed here
(Photos 3 and 4).
When asked if they had apprehensions or problems sourcing the logs due
to current legal restrictions or actual scarcity of supply from the forests, the
office assistant replied that they have always managed to procure wood
and they do not foresee any difficulties even in the light of legal
restrictions. They are convinced the forests still have much to give.
Photo 5 (left)
Photo 6 (right)
A container truck enters the wide gate at the far end of the open area.
The premises of Digna Abad Wood are situated on the side of the
National Highway in Barangay Alinguigan which leads to the Abuan River
(Photo 5).
A view of the sawmill at the far end of the open area and a pile of flitches
which were later loaded unto the waiting truck. The tail of the truck and a
wooden plank could also be seen. (Photo 6). Based on a 2005
government listing of issued permits for wood processing plants (List of
Existing Wood Processing Plants Permits As Of August 30,2005 obtained
by wood furniture industry leaders from the PDENR which they provided
to the investigators), the sawmill inside the premises of Digna Abad Wood
Products does not have a regulatory permit, and therefore could be
operating illegally.
23
Photo 7 (left)
Photo 8 (right)
The container truck opens and exposes the load of narra lumber/flitches.
At the back and on the other side of the truck, some workers load more
wood (Photo 7).
Then the container truck proceeds towards the main gate into the
National Highway. The load of wood is destined for a furniture exporter in
Bulacan (Photo 8).
Corrupt practices Furniture producers stressed all they want is to pursue their business
unhampered. They insisted they are willing to help in the protection of
Cagayan Valley’s forests but they insist that the local PDENR and other
concerned government agencies must first demonstrate the political will
and the sincerity to uphold environmental laws and issuances.
The furniture producers and the local community expressed doubt that
the PDENR and the government, for that matter, are serious in its antiillegal logging measures. Most furniture producers are of the belief that
legal restrictions/technicalities on logging activities are just means or tools
for the PDENR officials and other concerned government agents to
reinforce the extraction of money from them. In fact, they insist that with
enough financial resources and the right connections, it is easy to secure
supporting legal documents for wood products.
Following are some “trade practices” in the furniture industry, as pointed
out by the wood furniture producers:
(i) The payment of grease money (depending on the volume/value of
furniture being transported and destination but not lower than
Php200.00) to every “checkpoint” (inspection post of a composite
team of representatives of government agencies including PDENR
relating to legal documentation on movement of wood products)
along the National Highway. There are over 50 checkpoints along
the National Highway from Cagayan (last province in Cagayan Valley
when coming from Manila) to the final exit from Cagayan Valley to
Manila or nearer destinations. In 2005, a micro-level furniture
producer in Barangay Alinguigan, Ilagan City in Isabela transported a
narra furniture set worth Php20,000.00 to a buyer in Baguio City
(about 8 to 9 hours away from Isabela) and had to pay off 52
checkpoints at Php200.00 each to be allowed to bring out the narra
furniture set from Cagayan Valley;
(ii) The development and maintainance of connections and good
relations within the PDENR bureacracy in order to secure a chance to
ti i t i th biddi
t f
fi t d l
d flit h Th
24
participate in the bidding out of confiscated logs and flitches. The
PDENR personnel are not in the habit of ensuring that proper notice
on bidding schedules are disseminated to all potential bidders; and
(iii) The exchange deal of services rendered to PDENR (i.e. construction of
additional comfort rooms/toilets for PDENR office premises) and
PDENR inventory of confiscated logs/flitches. Confiscated logs and
flitches are used as payment for whatever PDENR owes an individual
or entity. This exchange deal is usually under a Memorandum of
Agreement between PDENR and the individual/entity rendering the
services.
The legal basis for such aforementioned arrangements could be
Malacañang Memorandum Order No.162 issued on August 19,1993
entitled “Providing guidelines for the disposition of confiscated logs,
lumber and other forest products for public infrastructure projects and
other purposes”.
Usually the interest of bidders is not to secure the confiscated logs and
flitches but to secure a legal document which could be used to “launder”
or legitimize already existing illegally-sourced inventory.
CONCLUSIONS AND With only 3% old-growth forest cover remaining in the Philippines and
RECOMMENDATIONS with half of that in the Sierra Madre, the Filipinos and the Philippine
government cannot afford to ignore the continued illegal logging of the
Sierra Madre.
Perhaps with a few exceptions such as the indigenous communities and
some members of civil society in Cagayan Valley, a majority of the people
do not see the urgency of action on saving what is left of the forests.
Generally, the forests are valued not for the multitude of services they
render (i.e. watershed functions, biodiversity benefits, soil stabilization as
against soil erosion leading to landslides, and the like) but merely as a
supplier of wood and other products. More significantly, there is also no
notion of the Sierra Madre as a place that belongs to them; there is no
pride or sense of being connected to it. The absence of a notion of the
Sierra Madre as a patrimony that should be preserved and protected
could be attributed to the fact that for many years, the rich forest
resources of the Sierra Madre have been exploited and controlled by
outsiders together with the political and social elite in the area; as a result,
majority of the locals enjoyed very little access to and direct benefits from
the Sierra Madre’s resources.
The results of interviews and investigations confirm that illegal logging
activities are going on in the Sierra Madre, thus indicating that forest law
enforcement in the area remains weak inspite of the declaration of the
Sierra Madre as a legally protected natural park and a biodiversity
conservation priority area by the government.
The public perception that the PDENR and the government are not
committed to seriously curb illegal logging is reinforced by instances of
corruption (whether real or perceived) within the ranks of PDENR and
other government officials or agents relating to the enforcement of
environmental laws and issuances.
Along with many inconsistent policy directions and actions (i.e. the
declaration of a logging moratorium due to dwindling forest cover and
ecological disasters side by side with a policy direction towards a globally
competitive wood industry), corrupt practices in the forestry sector severely
compromise the effectiveness of PDENR and the government in enjoining
25
compromise the effectiveness of PDENR and the government in enjoining
the citizenry to be involved in the anti-illegal logging campaign.
Furthermore, corruption negates the moral ascendancy of the
government and the PDENR, and may even completely erode the
credibility of both. When government’s credibility is eroded, it is difficult to
elicit citizen support for initiatives such as the anti-illegal logging campaign.
Based on the findings in this report, it can be inferred that the wood
furniture industry contributes to the continuing illegal logging in the Sierra
Madre. Even so, the government will surely hesitate deprioritizing the
wood industry sector due to economic importance. This is
understandable, however, it will help to bear in mind that the country’s
state of deforestation and loss of biodiversity have reached crisis
proportions and for that matter hard choices have to be made. Ecological
disasters, like landslides killing thousands at a time, and the growing threat
to water quality and supply attributable to deforestation are harsh realities
that can no longer be ignored. Indeed, for the Philippines, saving what is
left of its forest cover has become a matter of survival.
GREENPEACE In the light of the foregoing, Greenpeace recommends:
RECOMMENDATIONS
!
That the Philippine government and the PDENR seriously confront
corruption involving its officials or personnel. Corruption is a key
driver of illegal logging as it undermines all efforts to curb illegal
logging and associated illegal trade. Therefore, eliminating or
minimizing the space for corrupt practices is a vital first step
towards halting illegal logging.
In this regard, the PDENR, in coordination with the Department of
Justice and other relevant government agencies, must prosecute
personnel and outside parties involved in graft and corruption
arising from forestry transactions.
!
That the Philippine government harmonizes the inconsistency
between economic/trade policy directions and environmental
policy directions in favor of conservation-driven national goals
(NOT exploitation-driven) with respect to the forestry sector. By
continuing to espouse exploitation-driven goals and given the
weak forest law enforcement system, the remaining forests in the
Sierra Madre and a few other areas in the Philippines will always
be under the scourge of illegal logging.
!
That the PDENR, in line with the immediately preceding
recommendation, shifts its structure and focus from being
“exploitation-oriented” to being “conservation and protectionoriented” in order to address present realities of the Philippine
environment especially the forests.
Consequently, the Forest Management Bureau (“FMB”) must be
elevated from a support bureau to a focal organization in order to
prioritize and promote massive reforestation programs and
sustainable forest management and governance, NOT
sustainable logging.
!
That the PDENR, in consultation with local government officials,
indigenous communities, NGOs and other concerned groups,
explores, develops and institutionalizes innovative forest law
enforcement approaches in the Sierra Madre, especially
approaches that will enhance the participation of local indigenous
26
communities in the management and protection of the Sierra
Madre.
!
That the PDENR ensures transparency and access to
data/information relating to all forestry transactions at all times,
such as bidding out of confiscated logs and flitches, lifting of
suspension of logging permits/instruments including justifications
for lifting, issued permits for transport of wood products, and the
like.
!
That international NGOs extend a helping hand to local NGOs,
sympathetic local government officials of Cagayan Valley, and civil
society in cultivating and sustaining a constituency for forest law
enforcement and governance in the Sierra Madre (“FLEG for Sierra
Madre”).
Although the Sierra Madre is a legally protected natural park and
a priority area for biodiversity conservation, it does not have a
sustainable and widespread law enforcement mechanism.
Without a strong forest law enforcement system in the Sierra
Madre, its protected area status will be meaningless, and
biodiversity conservation cannot be sustained.
!
That the PDENR, in line with the immediately preceding
recommendation, immediately undertake the physical
demarcation of the extent of the “buffer zones” in the Sierra
Madre as provided by law; and to immediately establish
surveillance and patrolling activities in the river systems and coastal
areas of the Sierra Madre.
!
That sympathetic local government officials of Cagayan Valley and
civil society, in line with the FLEG for Sierra Madre, develop and
nurture among the local populace, a sense of the Sierra Madre as
a patrimony to be protected and conserved for the next
generation of Filipinos.
!
That the Philippine government, in consideration of the ecological
and geophysical conditions obtaining in the Philippines such that
the tiny patches of forest cover in the Sierra Madre and in a few
other areas of the country cannot continue to be placed at the risk
of being logged-out, immediately calls for a nationwide total
commercial logging ban.
End Note:
(1)Republic Act No. 7586 (National Protected Areas System Act) was passed in 1992. It provides for the establishment of protected areas including the legal
framework for the establishment and management of protected areas and ensures that they are included in the national development agenda. The NIPAS Act
aims to achieve the following:
1.
place remaining lowland dipterocarp forests such as those in the Sierra Madre under protection;
2.
explore constructive, effective and compassionate ways of reducing human pressures on protected areas; and
3.
eliminate all illegal activities in all ecosystems, and in particular logging and other destructive activities
27
APPENDIX 1: Photographs of illegal logging activies in the Sierra Madre,
2001-2004
2004
Flitches and logging camps along river banks, Catallangan River
Log transport in Ilaguen River (which connects to Abuan River)
2003
the
Flitches floating on
Catallagan River
28
Logging camps
along Abuan River
Flitches/logging camps
along Abuan River
Fresh logging roads
inside the Park
29
2002
Logged-over areas in the Sierra Madre Natural Park
2001
Tire inner tubes fastened to flitches for flotation before transport,
Catallangan River
30
APPENDIX 2: Globally threatened and near-threatened species of the
Sierra Madre and their known habitats
Source: Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park Management Plan
[Habitat codes: LDF = lowland evergreen dipterocarp forest; LMF = lower montane forest; UMF = upper montane forest; UBF =
ultrabasic forest. Species marked + has only been recorded outside the current protected area, but within forests that continues
into the protected without any marked barriers that are likely to exclude the species from the protected area.]
English name
Terrestrial Mammals
Golden-crowned Flying Fox
Luzon Shrew
Philippine Pygmy Fruit-bat
Luzon Pygmy Fruit-bat
White-winged Flying Fox
Small Rufous Horseshoe Bat
Long-nosed Luzon Forest
Mouse
Philippine Forest Roundleaf
bat
Large Rufous Horseshoe Bat
Yellow-faced Horseshoe Bat
Long-tailed Macaque
Philippine Warty pig
Marine Mammals
Dugong
Sperm whale
Humpback Whale
Birds
Philippine Eagle
Isabela Oriole
Oriental White Stork
Nordmann's Greenshank
Green Raquet-tail
Blue-naped Parrot
Philippine Eagle-Owl
Luzon Water Redstart
White-browed JungleFlycatcher
Ashy-breasted Flycatcher
Furtive Flycatcher
Celestial Monarch
Green-faced Parrotfinch
Baer's Pochard
Philippine Hawk-Eagle
Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove
Spotted Imperial Pigeon +
Montane Racquet-tail
Luzon Scops-Owl
Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher
Whiskered Pitta
Rabor’s Wren-babbler
Luzon Striped-Babbler
Scientific Name
Conservation status
Habitat
Acerodon jubatus
Crocidura grayi
Haplonycteris fisheri
Otopteropus
cartilagonodus
Pteropus leucopterus
Rhinolopus subrufus
Apomys sacobianus
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
LDF
LDF, LMF, UMF
LDF, LMF, UMF, UBF
LDF, LMF, UMF
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
(LDF), LMF, UBF
LDF
LDF, (LMF)
Hipposideros abscurus
Near-threatened
LDF
Rhinolopus rufus
Rhinolopus virgo
Macaca fascicularis
Sus philippensis
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
LDF
LDF
LDF, UMF, Mangrove
LDF, LMF, UMF, UBF
Dugong dugon
Physeter macrocephalus
Megaptera novaeangliae
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Sea-grass beds
Ocean
Ocean
Pithecophaga jefferyi
Oriolus isabellae
Ciconia boyciana
Tringa gutifera
Prioniturus luconensis
Tanygnathus lucionensis
Bubo philippensis
Rhyacornis bicolor
Rhinomyias insignis
Critical
Critical
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
LMF
LDF
Wetlands
Coastal reefflats
LDF
LDF
LDF
LMF
LMF
Muscicapa randi
Ficedula disposita
Hypothymis coelestis
Erythrura viridifacies
Athya baeri
Spizaetus philippensis
Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
Ptilinopus marchei
Ducula carola
Prioniturus montanus
Otus longicornis
Ceyx melanurus
Pitta kochi
Napothera rabori
Stactyris striata
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
LDF
LDF
LDF
(LDF), LMF
Coastal
LDF
Coastal reefflats
(LDF), LMF
LDF, LMF
LMF
(LDF), LMF
LDF
(LDF), LMF
LDF, UBF
LDF
31
English name
Ashy Ground-Thrush
Great-billed Heron
Philippine Duck
Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle
Tabon Scrubfowl
Spotted Buttonquail
Malaysian Plover
Asian Dowitcher
Cream-Bellied Fruit-Dove
Luzon Bleeding-heart
Rufous Coucal
Indigo-Banded Kingfisher
Spotted Wood Kingfisher
Tarictic Hornbill
Rufous Hornbill
Blackish Cuckoo-Shrike
White-Fronted Tit
Long-Billed Rhabdornis
Golden-Crowned Babbler
Chestnut-faced Babbler
Long-Tailed Bush-Warbler
Blue-Breasted Flycatcher
Short-Crested Monarch
Rufous Paradise Flycatcher
Mountain Shrike
Flame-Crowned
Flowerpecker
White-Cheeked Bullfinch
Marine/Coastal Reptiles
Hawksbill Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Turtle
Estuarine Crocodile
Terrestrial Reptiles
Philippine Crocodile
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle
Philippine Sail-fin Water Lizard
Gray’s Monitor Lizard
Malaysian Freshwater Turtle
Amphibians
Forest Frog
Woodworth's Frog
Rough-armed Tree Frog
Everett's Frog
Corrugated Ground Frog
Gastropodes
(Giant Clam)
(Giant Clam)
(Giant Clam)
(Giant Clam)
Scientific Name
Conservation status
Habitat
Vulnerable
LDF
Near-threatened
Mangrove
Near-threatened
Marshes, inland waters, ricefields
Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Near-threatened
lakes, rivers
Megapodius cumingii
Near-threatened
Coastal, beach, riverine forest
Turnix ocellata
Near-threatened
Grasslands
Charadrius peronii
Near-threatened
Coastal reefflats
Limnodromus
Near-threatened
Coastal reefflats
Zoothera cinerea
Ardea sumatrana
Anas luzonica
semipalmatus
Ptilinopus merrilli
Gallicplumba luzonica
Centropus unifurus
Alcedo cyanopectus
Actenoides lindsayi
Penolopides panini
Buceros hydrocorax
Coracina coerulescens
Parus semilarvatus
Rhabdornis grandis
Stachyris dennistouni
Stachyris whiteheadi
Bradypterus caudatus
Cyornis herioti
Hypothymis helenae
Tersiphone cinnamomea
Lanius vilidirostris
Dicaeum anthonyi
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
Near-threatened
LDF, UBF
LDF, LMF, UBF
LDF, Beach forest
Creeks, rivers
LDF, UBF
LDF, UBF
LDF, LMF, UBF
LDF, LMF, UMF
LDF, LMF
LDF, LMF, UBF
LDF, LMF
LMF, UMF
LMF, UMF
LDF, LMF
LDF, UBF
LDF, UBF
UMF
LMF
Pyrrhula leucogenis
Near-threatened
UMF
Erethmochelys imbricata
Chelonia mydas
Caretta caretta
Crocodylus porosus
Critical
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Marine, beaches
Marine, beaches
Marine, beaches
Coastal waters, Mangrove
Crocodylus mindorensis
Pelochelys bibroni
Hyrosaurus pustulatus
Varanus olivaceus
Cuora amboinensis
Critical
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Near-threatened
Inland freshwater
Inland Freshwater
Mountain streams, LDF
LDF
Inland Freshwater
Platymantis mimulus
Rana woodworthi
Rhacophorus
apendiculatus
Rana everetti
Platymantis corrugatus
Rare
Rare
Rare
LDF
Creeks, LDF
Creeks, LDF
Uncommon
Uncommon
Creeks, LDF, LMF
LDF, LMF, UMF
Hippopus hippopus
Tridacna crocea
Tridacna maxima
Tridacna squamosa
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Marine rocks, coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reef
32
Photo Credits:
Cover: Jan van Der Ploeg, 2003
Pages 5-13: Greenpeace/Ninfa Z. Bito, 2005
Pages 16-23: Greenpeace, 2005-2006
Page 27: Jan van Der Ploeg, 2004, 2003
Page 28: Robert Araño, Ph.D., 2003
Page 29: Jan van Der Ploeg, 2002, 2001
Technical Adviser for the Aerial Survey:
Robert Araño, Ph.D.