Monday, March 26, 2012

DENR campaign vs. illegal logging gains ground


LEGAZPI CITY, March 26 – With a considerable outcome on its anti-illegal logging campaign, the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) scored against illegal loggers at the outset of the creation of the Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force (RAILTF).

In its 2011 report, the Forest Management Service (FMS) revealed that 192 anti-illegal logging operations resulted in an apprehension of 476.2253 cubic meters (m3) or 201,812.853 board feet (bd. ft.) valuated at 2,531,657.80 Pesos which stemmed to the filing of nine cases against illegal logging suspects.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada attributed the significant anti-illegal logging operations to the creation of the RAILTF last May 17, 2011 which complements the regional office with manpower and firepower through the Armed Forces of the Phils. (air force, navy and army), Phil. National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Phil. Coast Gurad, Dept. of Justice (DOJ) among others.

“We sure are hoping to sustain this campaign with the help of our partners at the RAILTF,” Director Fragada said.

According to foresters and field personnel of the FMS, a pro-active campaign is a deterrent to illegal logging operations in Bicol’s natural and secondary forests which the DENR is trying to rehabilitate under the National Greening Program (NGP).

FMS report disclosed that along with confiscated woods, various field offices sequestered 68 conveyances used in the transport of illegal logs, 6 animals, 2 carts, 5 logging tools and 11 chainsaws.

Meanwhile, 40 public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) benefitted from the donation of 24,563 bd. ft. of confiscated wood by the DENR. Under the memorandum of agreement by the DENR and DepEd confiscated woods will be used in making chairs and desks, and with the repairs of school buildings. (Ruby Mendones, DENR/PIA Sorsogon)

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