BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera is now keener on running after illegal loggers.
As of August 2015, the DENR-CAR, through its Anti-Illegal Logging Task Forces, has apprehended a total of 41,776.61 board feet lumbers, 1.96 cubic meter logs and 2,811.50 linear meter rattan poles of various tree species in the region.
These forest products were from the different provinces in the region wherein 3,081.49 board feet of gmelina, narra and dacan lumbers were apprehended in Abra; 15,622.71 board feet lumbers and 2,811.50 linear meter rattan poles of narra, lauan, tanguile, red lauan and mayapis in Apayao; 12,182.98 board feet lumbers and 0.91 cubic meter logs of Benguet pine and gmelina in Benguet; 4,766.54 board feet lumbers and 1.05 cubic meter logs of gmelina, acacia and lauan in Ifugao; 828.66 board feet lumbers of tapol and narra in Kalinga; and 5,284.23 board feet lumbers of Benguet pine, der-an and lauan in Mt. Province.
Aside from the apprehended forest products, a total of 3,855.97 board feet lumbers and 2,811.50 linear meter rattan poles were also confiscated.
Among these are the 2,218.90 board feet lumbers and 2,811.50 linear meter rattan poles of narra, tanguile, red lauan and mayapis in Apayao; 750 board feet lumbers of Benguet pine in Benguet; 372.41 board feet lumbers of gmelina in Ifugao; and 514.66 board feet lumbers of tapol in Kalinga.
Furthermore, the regional office also apprehended some 14 vehicles and 6 chainsaws across the region after they were found being used for illegal logging activities.
While these apprehended and confiscated products show the prevalence of illegal logging activities in the region, these also manifest that the DENR-CAR has intensified its efforts to eye and run after the persons liable.
Illegal logging activities, specifically cutting, gathering, collecting, removing and possession of timber and other forest products both from public and private lands without authority are punishable and penalized under the Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
Pursuant to this law, DENR-CAR, in close coordination with its field offices, the local government units and various stakeholders in the communities continues to keep an eye on suspected and reported illegal logging activities so they can immediately be acted upon and prevent them from recurring again.
By Abner Villanueva
