Privilege speech of Hon. BARTOLOME R. CASTILLO III

A privilege speech submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Samar by Board Member Bartolome R. Castillo III, PCL Provincial Federation President, during its regular session on December 6, 2005

Good morning Hon. Presiding Officer and colleagues:

I stand before you this morning as a matter of privilege.

Lately we are again hounded by numerous questions regarding a DENR ruling on the lifting of the logging moratorium in Samar to San Jose Timber Corp. (SJTC). SJTC has advertised a whole page ad, I read on Bulletin Today daily, which explains that the change of events has no political connection whatsoever. Protest against the action of DENR reached national televisions explained by anti logging advocates from various NGOs and the catholic hierarchy of the whole Samar Island.

Colleagues, I know that eventually our stand will be asked regarding this matter, as I was already been. May I refresh you then that when I signed a moratorium resolution to this effect last 2003, my assumption then was we were still in the process of preparing all the safety mechanism necessary to safeguard our forest. But never had it cross my mind that the moratorium would be permanent, as it now appears.

Basing on the account of anti logging and mining advocates, the tragedies of Ormoc, Southern Leyte and Quezon province, to name a few, prompted them to seek for a moratorium. They lobbied from this august body to the halls of congress and succeeded. We overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting the moratorium. Yes we had a moratorium since then, but what have we done so far to our claim of denuded forest and mismanaged logging and mining concessions during the moratorium? I did not see anyone planting trees to our denuded forest, as we should. We have not submitted before this august body a recommendation or a blue print for a sustainable forest management up to this date. Were we just after a stop of logging and mining, per se? Are we against logging and mining or the bad effects of it that we do not like? We clamor for the stop of using our resources but inconsistently shout for a fight against poverty? If we stop the utilization of these blessings unique to our province then have we crafted a program to fight against poverty?

Where then is the direction of this province in our fight against poverty? Do we still need some years more to craft a viable program to eradicate poverty that is why we need more time and a longer moratorium? Were three years not enough for us? What stage are we now on our preparation of the blue print since three years ago, if there's any? The truth is we have not started yet, or not that I know. Shall we wait forever? Will poverty be our legacy to the next generation? Is this not the reason to our advocacy against logging and mining, protecting and conserving these resources for the next generation? What legacy then? Poverty? Idle resources? Yes no floods, no mudslides, in a short term but eventually all these will happen because of illegal loggers and the absence of a sustainable forest management program. And worst still the hungry stomachs and the perpetual struggle of our kababayans for their daily living will be there.

Are we really serious in eradicating poverty in our province but in contrast we are blocking any development or utilization of our resources? Much worst, what I am afraid of, if our good intentions, because of our fears, might just being capitalized by those who have been constantly against progress then, now and forever. Will this poverty be our legacy to the next generation on the guise of passing on these resources to them lying idly before our noses? Will this be our way of washing our hands by avoiding the responsibility because of our stubborn ideals? Shall we not embrace and trust new scientific method and technologies to prevent the occurrence of these tragedies we fear as effects of logging and mining? Should we give up thinking of ways to make these tragedies a step forward to a permanent solution than as a disaster? Should we forget that those lessons can make us more vigilant and cautious and can keep us wiser in facing the problems that may arise? That it could inspire us to craft efficient safeguards to guarantee that these tragedies will not happen during our watch.

Why be afraid of what may or may not happen? Should we pass on this responsibility to the next generation? Can't we trust ourselves? What is the guarantee that the next generation will be wiser than we are, anyway? If we cannot trust ourselves now how much more if we leave this responsibility to the next generation when we will no longer be here on earth to see it? Or are we just lazy to labor for the best of our people now and the next generation? If we had not wavered to watch the total log ban, why can't we continue to watch the logging concessionaires comply the regulations we will be crafting? Let us join hands for progress not stagnation and idleness.

Colleagues we have to stand firmly to do the right thing for the good of the majority of the people of Samar, may it be unpopular to the few. Let our constituents enjoy the fruits of the blessings unique only to our province. We have to remember that not all provinces in the world have been blessed as we are. Should we not maximize the utilization of these blessings before God take it back from us like the parable of the talents? Let us make sure that in doing so we can solve the prevalent and much pressing problem of poverty now than to fear of the future that can be avoided. Give our people a taste of progress. Give development a chance. I am sure this will be the best gift we can give to the next generation, than passing on to them the poverty we are experiencing now.

What I am saying, colleagues, that the effort we use now to block and rally against the full utilization of our resources is as much the same should we give progress a chance. Let us not give up. Let us open our minds to new technologies. In the end, what is important is to embrace development while protecting our environment. That is my advocacy. This could be done if we are united, NO PROS NO CONS but open to reasons. Let us trust ourselves. Let us help our impoverish province rise up, this may be our only chance left. Let us then harmonize conservation with development.