Sen. Richard J. Gordon strongly suggested Saturday that those engaged in illegal logging should reforest the areas they denuded as bald mountains contribute to severe flooding and landslides whenever strong tropical cyclones hit the country.
Gordon issued the statement during a DWIZ radio interview where he was asked about an Internet picture of wanton deforestation of the Sierra Madre mountains.
‘’We must plant. Nature has a way of healing itself,’’ Gordon said.
Gordon said he has yet to see an illegal logger being jailed.
During the interview, Gordon was told there is an Internet picture ascribed to then Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez in 2017 showing the bald Sierra Madre mountain in the side eastern of Luzon.
This deforested mountain range contributed heavily to the flooding and landslides, particularly in the Cagayan Valley and Marikina City, during and after the passage of typhoon “Rolly.”
Lopez failed to get the nod of the bicameral Commission on Appointment (CA) to be confirmed as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary.
She also had fought against unregulated quarrying and mining operations.
‘’Wala naman tayong nakikitang kinukulong sa illegal logging, dapat ‘yung mga nagaganyan dapat sila ngayon ang hingan na maglagay ng puno sa mga pinutol nila,’’ Gordon said.
(We don’t see anyone being put to jail for illegal logging. Those involved in illegal logging should be asked to plant and replace the tree they have cut)
Gordon cited Thailand where citizens plant the seeds of the fruits they have eaten.
‘’Ginawa ko sa Olongapo dati ‘yan. Dapat conscious tayo na dapat magtatanim tayo,’’ he added.
(I did that in Olongapo City. We should be conscious that we have to replant)