8 areas named in drive against illegal logging

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force (RALTF) in Central Visayas has identified eight priority areas in the campaign against illegal logging.

During the gathering of the task force yesterday, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said they agreed to strengthen the provincial anti-illegal logging task force in four provinces through coordination with the local government units and other law enforcement agencies.

Hotspots are the pier areas of Tagbilaran and Talibon, Bohol; Argao, Carmen, Liloan, Danao City, Bantayan Island, Talisay City, Toledo City and Cebu City; Ayungon and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and Siquijor.

The task force is composed of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command, Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Naval Forces Central and the Philippine Air Force.

He added that the composition of a municipal and barangay anti-illegal logging task force is also being considered.

Montejo said among the important strategies decided are: conduct of aerial documentation and surveillance for baseline information on natural forests and National Greening Program-identified areas, and expedite the issuance of final confiscation order on apprehended or seized forest products without pending court cases.

Fight plan

Organized by the DENR-7’s Forest Management Services (FMS), the task force also agreed to submit a flight plan for aerial documentation and surveillance, coordinate with media partners and organizations, actively monitor hotspots areas, and update its members on the existing forestry laws.

Montejo, who chaired the RALTF, urged the LGUs and DENR field officials to conduct upland monitoring against illegal logging, kaingin and other forms of forest destruction.

In a related development, Montejo said that Central Visayas can sustain its wood requirements since it has enough supply of timber.

He also added that 60 to 70 percent of lumber in the region is imported.

One-strike policy

Meanwhile, police officials in Cebu take the expanded one-strike policy of the Philippine National Police as a challenge.

The expanded policy, which is one of the programs of PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome, will have local police keeping track on illegal activities in their area.

The program was once implemented in the anti-illegal gambling campaign and now it covered the anti-illegal logging drive and the national campaign against fugitives.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said the CPPO is confident to face the challenge because they are competent enough to do the tasks.

“We still have to wait for a letter of instruction as a proper procedure from Crame,” Comendador said.

Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, director of the Mandaue City Police Office, said the order is a big challenge for them.

“I will remind all my station chiefs to exert effort and concentrate on the 10 point program of the PNP chief to come up with an efficient and effective output,” Gillamac told The FREEMAN.

Under the expanded policy, a police station commander faces relief from post if the existence of illegal-gambling, illegal-logging and wanted persons in his area is confirmed.

Culpability of immediate superior officers extends to the provincial director when three or more chiefs of police under his command are relieved.

Recently, the provincial police director of Agusan del Sur and seven subordinate chiefs were relieved from their post due to the continued proliferation of illegal logging in the province.  (FREEMAN)