Hot lumber worth almost P2M seized in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY –– Assorted lumber worth close to P2 million were intercepted by authorities in Barangays Happy Valley and Balite, both in San Isidro town, in Northern Samar province from April 24 to 26.

In a statement, Regional Executive Director Tirso Parian Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Eastern Visayas (DENR-8) said they continued to monitor illegal logging amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Despite some restrictions due to COVID-19, our work continues, especially on law enforcement. We encourage the public to coordinate and cooperate with us in going after illegal activities in this time of crisis,” he said.

The operations resulted in the seizure of 39,500 board feet of assorted lumber, mostly of lauan species, with an estimated value of P1.97 million. No one was arrested during the operations.