17,775.47 board feet seized in anti-illegal logging drive in Agusan del Sur
BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur – An intensified anti-illegal logging operation here by authorities resulted in the confiscation of more than 17,775.47 board feet of illegally-cut logs and lumbers in the southern part of Agusan del Sur.
This all-out forest protection drive from January to the present also led to the confiscation of Wing Van truck and motorcycles (habal-habal) and other tools used in illegal logging activities.
*Shown in photo are the members of the anti-illegal logging task force DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources of Bunawan extracting the seized illegally-cut forest products in Bayugan lll, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. (Photo courtesy of Bunawan DENR-CENRO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)*
The anti-illegal logging task force of Bunawan Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also filed a case against two suspects for violation of PD 705, otherwise known as The Forestry Code of the Philippines. In his progress report on Tuesday to DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga and DENR 13 Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo, Bunawan CENR Officer Jerome H. Albia said the latest apprehension occurred when his anti-illegal logging task force swooped down at Bayugan lll, Rosario town where an abandoned Wing Van loaded with 6,142.67 board feet of illegally-cut flitches and lumbers was found. “A concerned villager reported and when our task force arrived in the reported area, the Wing Van was abandoned by the driver, and possibly by his helper,” said CENR Officer Albia in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday, June 6. Investigation is still ongoing for the possible identification of the owner and origin of the seized forest products, the CENR-CENR Officer said. Albia recognized the support of the 1003rd Regional Mobile Battalion and its field company, the community and the other stakeholders in the continuing fight against illegal logging activities within the southern portion of the province. “We appreciate the support given to us by various sectors considering that we have only few forest guards and deputized force multipliers covering very wide areas under CENRO Bunawan,” the DENR official said.
*Shown in photo are the members of the anti-illegal logging task force DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources of Bunawan extracting the seized illegally-cut forest products in Bayugan lll, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. (Photo courtesy of Bunawan DENR-CENRO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)*
The anti-illegal logging task force of Bunawan Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also filed a case against two suspects for violation of PD 705, otherwise known as The Forestry Code of the Philippines. In his progress report on Tuesday to DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga and DENR 13 Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo, Bunawan CENR Officer Jerome H. Albia said the latest apprehension occurred when his anti-illegal logging task force swooped down at Bayugan lll, Rosario town where an abandoned Wing Van loaded with 6,142.67 board feet of illegally-cut flitches and lumbers was found. “A concerned villager reported and when our task force arrived in the reported area, the Wing Van was abandoned by the driver, and possibly by his helper,” said CENR Officer Albia in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday, June 6. Investigation is still ongoing for the possible identification of the owner and origin of the seized forest products, the CENR-CENR Officer said. Albia recognized the support of the 1003rd Regional Mobile Battalion and its field company, the community and the other stakeholders in the continuing fight against illegal logging activities within the southern portion of the province. “We appreciate the support given to us by various sectors considering that we have only few forest guards and deputized force multipliers covering very wide areas under CENRO Bunawan,” the DENR official said.