Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza ordered yesterday the auction of more than 2,000 hot logs earlier seized in Isabela.
Atienza opted to sell the estimated P3 million worth of illegally cut assorted hardwood, including narra, red lauan, and tanguile, measuring 158,618 board feet, to allow them to serve a “productive purpose.”
A composite team of the DENR, the Isabela provincial government, the police and military seized the logs that were illegally cut at the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
“The contraband logs will be sold to the highest bidder on ‘as is, where is’ basis,” Atienza said.
“We do not relish this task. But rather than leaving the seized logs exposed to the elements and eventually rendered useless, steps must be taken to make the contraband timber serve a productive purpose,” he added.
Atienza said part of the proceeds of the sale of the confiscated logs would fund the campaign of Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca against timber poaching in forested towns within the 359,846-hectare natural park.– Katherine Adraneda