DENR to file charges vs 2 for sawmill operation

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 is set to file a criminal complaint against two residents of Compostela, Cebu for operating a bandsaw without permit from the government.

DENR 7 Director Maximo Dichoso said his legal staff already prepared the case to be filed against Sotero Librero and his son-in-law, Wilfredo Dagatan, for violating an administrative order of the DENR.

On June 20, 1986, the then Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources promulgated the Administrative Order No. 8, Series of 1986 “in order to effectively arrest the denudation of our forests and to stop illegal logging and large scale log smuggling.”

After Dichoso received the report about the alleged illegal activity of Librero and Dagatan, he formed a team to investigate based on a complaint from Mag-uugmad Foundation Incorporated Executive Director Jose Gapas.

Led by Juanito Pua, head of the Forest Resources Conservation Division, the team proceeded to the area last January 13 and found an abandoned sawmill with electrical connections.

Although the sawmill was no longer operational, Dichoso said the existing building still serves as evidence of the previous operation.

Some persons informed the team that the sawmill, originally constructed at barangay Dapdap, Compostela, was transferred to barangay Basak after Librero and Dagatan discovered that Dapdap is within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

“The transfer of the sawmill from a protected area to an alienable and disposable land does not mean that it is now legal. It is still illegal considering that it is not covered by a DENR permit, henceforth legal action is necessary,” said Dichoso.

Dichoso instructed the Carmen town-based Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer to file the complaints against the violators and asked Gapas to provide the DENR with witnesses to strengthen the case.

Resaw or bandsaw permit is issued to a lumber dealer on the condition that it shall be used solely in re-sawing or resizing heavy lumber. (FREEMAN)