DENR: Fewer illegal logs seized in first quarter

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) has reported a decline in apprehension of undocumented forest products for the first quarter of the year.

Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR-7 regional executive director, said yesterday that only 46.6498 cubic meters of forest products were confiscated as compared to 94.2094 cubic meters in the same period last year or a 50.49 percent drop as compared to the same period last year.

The seized logs in the first quarter this year had an estimated cost of P740,000.

“Apprehension and seizure of undocumented forest products is the result of the implementation of Executive Order (E.O) 23, demonstrating a 50.49 percent drop which may be attributed to our effective and efficient implementation of the EO 23 in Central Visayas with the strong support and cooperation among our partner law enforcement agencies,” said Montejo.

Logging ban

EO 23 is a ban on logging in the country issued by President Aquino in 2011.

The forest products which have been seized aside from lumber are timber, keel, flitches, and charcoal in violation of Republic Act 7161 and EO 23.

The DENR in coordination with the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force confiscated 1,380 pieces of lumber estimated at 57.3082 cubic meters from Surigao Province during the period from December 2011 to January 2013./Correspondent Renan Alangilan