Illegal logging drive gets boost

ILLEGAL logs inside the Sudecor compound in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur. Photo taken last Sept. 9. DANNY ADORADOR/CONTRIBUTOR

MANILA, Philippines—The government has created teams of environment and interior department officers as well as police and military forces to boost the campaign against illegal logging in Western Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Saturday.

In a news release, DENR Regional Executive Director for Western Visayas Adeluisa G. Siapno announced the agency’s partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army.

The official said the newly created provincial anti-illegal logging teams would reinforce the drive being waged by the existing anti-illegal logging task force in Region VI.

“The creation of provincial anti-illegal logging task forces in all provinces comprising Region VI is not only a big boost to our regional anti-illegal logging efforts, but it is also a strategic move on the part of the department and our partner agencies to further protect the remaining forest resources of Western Visayas,” Siapno said. DJ Yap