No more logging in Negros Occidental’s third district. This, after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law Tuesday a bill imposing a logging ban in the district's three cities – Silay, Talisay and Victorias and two municipalities, Enrique Magalona and Murcia. The district is north of Bacolod, the provincial capital.

In ceremonies held at Malacañang Palace’s Reception hall, the Chief Executive signed Republic Act No. 3680, effectively scrapping logging activities in the area and protecting Northern Negros Natural Park’s remaining forest cover, which serves as Negros Occidental’s major watershed area where rare flora and fauna species can be found.

The Lower House presented HB 3680 to President Arroyo last Oct. 6 for approval.

Also known as “An Act Imposing a Logging Ban in the Third District of the Province of Negros Occidental,” House Bill 3680, which was authored by Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, seeks to prohibit the cutting down of trees for commercial purposes.

The newly-signed law allows, however, harvesting of planted species within tree plantations and tree-cutting activities for projects approved by Government and only for basic services such as, but not limited to, public works, energy development or water utilities.

Under the law, any harvesting or tree cutting shall comply with all pertinent environmental and forestry laws, rules and regulations.

The President tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the law.

Existing within Northern Negros Natural Park’s remaining 16,487 hectares are rare species of flora and fauna such as hornbill, bleeding heart pigeon, Visayan warty pig and Philippine spotted deer.

Negros Occidental’s Provincial Environment and Management Office disclosed that only that much hectares are left of Northern Negros’ original forest cover of 80,454 hectares.