Letter to DENR Sec. Mike Defensor

8 December 2004
Sapporo City, JAPAN
19:00

To: Hon. Sec. Mike Defensor
Department of Environment & Natural Resources
Republic of the Philippines

Dear Sir:

Greetings!

Whereas, your column dated 8 Dec 2004 (Philstar) and entitled Paghuli sa illegal loggers pagtulungan natin, calls for united vigilance against illegal loggers may look appealing, what about the legal loggers? Whatever happened to government agencies whose responsibility is to monitor these activities for us, and whose salaries and perks come from our drained pockets?

Whereas, your call may vibrate at the moment, how long will it last? One or two weeks at the most? After which, we shall all go back to the usual happy days, and everything will be forgotten? No one will be punished, and no heads will roll.

Whereas, your call may seem like you were performing your duty, is to be proactive preferable than to be reactive?

Whereas, your article sounds like the manner one would hear you in radio interviews, that is, unimpressively naive for a public servant.

This recent tragic event in our beloved land is the result of the long history of abuse of its natural resources. And this is just the iceberg’s tip. More of these have happened in the past and more will happen in the future if we remain reactionary.

Of late, has the Department inspected the marine business where they poison the aquatic life? What about the mining industry?

May the Provider bless the Republic always!

Below is today’s column of seasoned journalist Mr. Teddy Benigno, for your guidance.

Sincerely,
gino510