DENR reiterates policy on illegal logging

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is reiterating the strict enforcement of the “one-strike” policy on illegal logging to all field officials in Central Visayas.

DENR said all officials violating the “one-strike” policy should immediately be relieved and corresponding charges filed, after the violation has been verified and confirmed.

This developed as DENR continues to move in response to a provision in Executive Order No. 23, which orders to establish closer ties with local government units and other law enforcement agencies in the crusade against illegal logging which includes detection and apprehension of illegally-cut or gathered forest products in all provinces in the country.

“The policy covers any illegal cutting or harvesting of forest products within the area of jurisdiction of a certain field official,” DENR-7 regional executive director Isabelo Montejo Montejo said in a statement.

 Montejo added that failure to detect, report or apprehend the transport of illegally-harvested forest products include those sourced from a certain area where the official has jurisdiction or another area including apprehensions or confiscations made by other law enforcement agencies and LGUs without his or her knowledge.

Montejo added that DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje has been very serious against violators of forest laws, rules and regulations as he gave instructions to establish interregional strategies and closely coordinate with other relevant government agencies.

Montejo further said that their field officials are now directed to focus more and more on the enforcement and implementation of this order consistent to the principle of command responsibility.  (FREEMAN)