PCG seizes P267T worth of hot lumber

CEBU, Philippines - An estimated P267,000 worth of lumbers with invalid and expired documents were seized by the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Saturday morning at Plaza Independencia, Cebu City.

Two 10-wheeler trucks loaded with assorted sizes of lumbers were intercepted about 8:30 in the morning after the trucks left the gate of the Pier 1.

The confiscated lumbers were six crates of 12-feet length with 9,000 board feet; five crates of eight-feet length with 6,500 board feet; one crate of 10-feet length with 1,200 board feet. Total board feet is equivalent to 16,700 which has an estimated market value of P267,200.

Commander Rolando Punzalan, chief of the PCG-Cebu said the fully-loaded trucks arrived at the port on board MV Lite Ferry 15 at 6:45 in the morning.

Ali Sitoy, shipping agent of the cargoes, however, showed documents of permit to transport and permit to cut coconut trees which were issued in Dipolog City but further scrutiny showed that the documents, which registered under the name of Michael Gutierrez, of Lapu-Lapu City, are expired.

The lumbers were supposed to be taken to the Central Lumber Hardware in Highway, Mambaling, Cebu City.

Ruben Miraña, Aurito Orozco and Valeriano Mayormita Jr. of the Philippine Coconut Authority-7 task force arrived in the area and confirmed that the documents are expired.

The Coconut Preservation Act of 1995 or RA 8048 states that “considering the importance of the coconut industry in nation building being one of the principal industries and one of the largest income earners of the country, it becomes mandatory for the Government to step-in and regulate the unabated and indiscriminate cutting of the coconut trees.”

Emiliano Balios, provincial coconut development manager said the lumbers were taken to the PCA- Cebu for proper disposal. — (FREEMAN)