Twenty-five Community-Based Forest Management Agreements in Oriental Negros were cancelled on orders of former Environment Secretary now presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor.

This was confirmed by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido.

The cancellation will result in the dislocation of at least 25 families in every CBFMA, prompting the federation to raise the issue with the new DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, for a reconsideration of the department administrative order.

Cabrido said he is optimistic that the appeal will be given due course because Reyes knows local government operations.

He also disclosed that the presidential adviser on natural resources personally toured the CBFMA areas in Oriental Negros and appreciated so much the success of the program.

Gen. Dagudad was qouted as saying that there's no reason why it should not be exempted from the department administrative order.*JG

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