DENR to probe “illegal lumber” hauling on LGU-owned truck

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office I (CENRO-1) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is currently investigating the circumstances behind the apprehension of a local government-owned truck in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental that transported cut lumber without the necessary papers.

CENRO I chief Charlie Fabre said his office will undertake administrative proceedings once the dump truck with red plate SHW-714 and loaded with 31 pieces of cut lumber of the gemelina species will be turned over to them.

Fabre said he sent some of his personnel to the 12th Infantry Battalion’s detachment in Brgy. Balugo, Guihulngan City to inform the latter that the truck and lumber have to be turned over to CENRO-I as it is within its jurisdiction.

On Saturday evening, 12th IB personnel of the Balugo detachment apprehended the truck, driven by Ruben Quijano, 45, a resident of sitio Pantalan in Guihulngan City, after soldiers discovered that there were no pertinent papers to support the transport of the lumber.

Quijano was released by the Guihulngan Police later as no case was filed against him after the prescribed period of 36 hours detention had lapsed.

Fabre explained that his office has yet to determine the liability of the truck driver or the local government unit of Guihulngan City during investigation.

He disclosed that initial investigation showed a violation of the law in the absence of a transport permit. Other than that, there were no other violations as the lumber was hauled from a private entity that apparently had a certificate of tree plantation ownership.

Fabre, however, could not yet disclose the private entity’s identity pending investigation. He also revealed that initial investigation showed that a principal had allegedly requested for the transport and delivery of the lumber to a school. The identities of the principal and the school could not yet be ascertained, he added.  (FREEMAN)