NEWSFLASH

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ANOMALIES IN FOREIGN-FUNDED BUKIDNON PROJECT

Manila, Oct. 22, 1997 - The governments of New Zealand and the Philippines have been urged to investigate anomalies in the implementation of a $10-million forestry project in Bukidnon which was funded by the Wellington government. Recipient of the grant is the Bukidnon Forests Inc/Bukidnon Industrial Plantation project.

The call was made by three non-government organizations Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotaroa (PSNA), Corso and Christian World Service, all based in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

Murray Holton, PSNA secretary, said the plantation had been of no benefit to the Bukidnon community and should be closed. Holton furnished the Manila newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer with a 19-page report by the Mindanao Interfaith People's Conference, a Manila- based NGO.

The report uncovered "serious allegations of financial malpractices by the plantation manager."

"Horton alleges that there have been major instances of exploitation and abuse of plantation workers, environmental problems and non-delivery of facilities to the community.

The project was conceived during a 1986 meeting between then NZ Prime Minister David Lange and newly-installed President Cory Aquino. Critics of the project maintain that the aid agreement was hastily signed over the objections of the local residents.

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