DENR seizes P3.7 million worth of 'hot lumber'

MANILA, Philippines - Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Jose L. Atienza led recently the apprehension of 11 container vans loaded with P3.7 million worth of illegally sourced lumber and flitches at Pier 18 at the North Harbor in Manila.

According to Atienza, “we are placing Manila North Harbor under the Department’s tight watch as this is the port of entry of illegal logs, lumber and other forest products from various parts of the country. These illegally sourced lumber and flitches may find their way to lumber dealers in Luzon.”

This year has been declared by the DENR as law enforcement year to put a stop or, at least, minimize the wanton destruction of the country’s forests by greedy and unscrupulous few who flagrantly violate environmental laws.

The 11 container vans, Atienza said, were allegedly shipped by Arcela Mini Sawmill and consigned to MV Lumber Construction Supply, Inc., in Baliuag Bulacan.

The forest products reportedly originated from Cotabato and Agusan provinces. Based on initial findings of the environment law enforcement task force, the vans contained lumber and flitches with thickness of six inches, which is now allowed.

 “This whole thing is highly irregular. For one, the flitches vary in sizes, some as thick as six inches or even thicker, while some bear markings indicating that the logs were sourced from carabao logging,” Atienza said.