DENR-7 reiterates need for docs in transporting lumber

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reiterated the need for appropriate documents in transporting lumber.

This after a joint team of foresters, forest rangers, and police officers seized about P350,000 worth of mixed dipterocarp lumber pieces in Sitio Salvador, Tangke, Talisay City, Cebu, after no transport or shipment documents were shown.

Based on a spot report released by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Cebu City, a motor launch loading 493 pieces of lumber, equivalent to 6,727.80 board feet, arrived in Tangke, Talisay City, last January 31 at 11:00 in the evening.

The confiscated contrabands were believed to be coming from the province of Surigao del Sur and were deposited at the CENRO-Cebu City for safekeeping to be used for the administrative seizure proceedings.

“It has to be reiterated that the transport of forest products should be covered with original documents for monitoring and controlling purposes in which in this case no papers were presented to the team,” said DENR-7 regional executive director Isabelo R. Montejo in a statement.

 Montejo said that appropriate and original copy of certificates of origin should go with the movement of forest products.

 Citing violation of Section 77 of Presidential Decree (PD) 705 as amended by Executive Order No. 277 and as renumbered by Republic Act 7161 in relation to Executive Order No. 23, the 7th Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has already filed a complaint last February 4 at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against brothers Nonilito and Michael Abay, and Alfredo Rolida.

 The two Abay brothers and Rolida were brought to the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center immediately after the seizure operation last January 31.

Meanwhile, the apprehending team from CENRO Cebu City included foresters Raul Pasoc, Nolito Lapinig, Lucio Cañete, and forest rangers Danilo Orbasido, and Lucito Sardañas with eight officials from 7RCIDG led by police chief inspector Errol Garchitorena.

“Our field officials in coordination with the law enforcement authorities like the police have been continually conducting an aggressive monitoring and surveillance in ports or piers and other places in response to the instruction of DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje,” Montejo added.  (FREEMAN)