Two cooperatives operating in South Cotabato in the Philippines were recently charged for violating several provisions of their respective environmental compliance certificates by the country's environment department.
Both cooperatives violated a compliance certificate condition that required a buffer zone of at least 20 metres from major rivers or waterways with normal water flow, Saikol said. The buffer zones should be planted with appropriate tree species.
T'boli Multi-Fruits Grower Cooperative and Laconon 100 Multi-Purpose Cooperative, who are marketing partners with pineapple giant Dole Philippines, were charged with about us $2,000 each.
Datu Tungko Saikol, regional director, Environmental Management Bureau, recently issued the order based on complaints filed last year by the Coalition of Social Development Organisation in South Cotabato.