Illegal activities continue in Camp 7 reforested site

Despite strong efforts demonstrated by the Ecosystem Research and Development Services to stop the illegal activities carried out at the Osmeña Reforestation Program, the illegal cutting down of trees and charcoal-making activities there are still rampant.   

Jun Bueno, chief environmentalist of the regional research arm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said there is a recorded increase in the number of illegal activities done at the reforestation project located in Camp 7, Minglanilla town.

Though the Osmeña Reforestation Program site is guarded by some peoples’ organizations, still some residents continue to illegally cut down trees and engage in charcoal-making activities as their means of livelihood.

Teak trees, for example, are mainly used for the making of charcoal sold in the markets of Minglanilla and Tabunok in Talisay City.

Teak is said to be a weather-resistant tree and is also widely used for outdoor furniture, boat decks and even indoor floorings.

Other tree species grown in the area, now in danger of being chopped down, include Mahogany, Gemelina, Narra, Benguet pine, Lumbang and Baguilumbang.

The Osmeña Reforestation Program is considered as the “oldest reforestation project in the Philippines established in 1916 with a total area of 4,247 hectares.”

Regardless of the different species, it has an average stocking rate of 709 trees/hectare based on the timber inventory conducted by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. – Phoebe Jen Indino/MEEV