By Rowena Cruz Thousands of pieces of lumber, wood, and rattans without proper documentation the Community Environment and Natural Resource...
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| Thousands of pieces of lumber, wood, and rattans without proper documentation the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Santa Cruz and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Laguna confiscated. (Photo from PIA-Laguna) |
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—During their increased anti-illegal logging operations from January to April this year, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Santa Cruz and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Laguna confiscated thousands of pieces of lumber, wood, and rattans without proper documentation.
The two agencies worked with law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to recover the products, vehicles, and chainsaws used in illegal tree cutting and processing of forest products.
3,093 pieces of lumber or flitches totaling 19,718.19 board feet were confiscated, as were 346 pieces of round logs totaling 7927.2 board feet, 169 pieces of rattan poles, 150 sacks of charcoal, five chainsaw units, and a circular saw.
Ten vehicles used to transport products are currently impounded at CENRO Santa Cruz and PENRO Laguna.
CENRO Santa Cruz Forester Daniel Arthur informed the Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee and Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging and Timber Poaching Task Force that the agency has made 33 arrests, of which nine suspects have been charged in the corresponding case in court and 20 have been formally accused by the authorities on May 9. CENRO Santa Cruz has also issued show-cause orders against establishments that they believe are violating environmental laws.
Between January and April, the agency received 111 show-cause orders in Laguna's third and fourth districts, while 25 received violation notices.
PENRO Eriberto Saños believes that environmental protection cannot only be done by a single government agency, but by all sectors of society.
He added that it is important to give priority to solving challenges and violations of environmental laws to avoid the harmful effects caused by illegal activities. (with reports from PIA-Laguna)
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