Hot lumber falls in Lapu

A ten-wheeler truck loaded with assorted lumber was apprehended by  Task Force Kalikasan in Lapu-Lapu City last Monday.

The truck driver  failed to present a certificate of transport permit for the forest products. Authorities turned over the truck and its load to the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in pier 3.

The  16,533 board feet of lumber  has an estimated worth of P33,000.

PO3  Kent Lisen one of the task force  members said they were conducting random monitoring when they intercepted the red ten-wheeler truck with  plate number GDE-584 in M.L. Quezon Street.

The truck was driven by Junrey Verdida, 33, of Cordova town.

Verdida said the lumber  was from  mahogany and acacia trees in  Liloan town   to be used in making crates and was being delivered to a Japanese national in barangay Cogon, Cordova.

Lisen said they are still investigating the identity of the real owner of the  seized lumber and whether he can present   permits to prove that it was  legally acquired.

Authorities are on the trail of illegal lumber since Presiden Benigno Aquino III declared ban on logging two years ago. /Correspondents Fe Marie D. Dumaboc and Norman V. Mendoza