DENR to probe illegal mangrove cutting reports

CEBU, Philippines - A team from the DENR-Region 7 is set to investigate the reported illegal cutting of mangroves at the Banacon Island Mangrove Forest within the Getafe Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness Area in Getafe town of Bohol.

The investigation team, formed by DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo, is headed by Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Elpidio Palaca of Talibon, Bohol with two members.

Montejo directed the team to conduct an immediate investigation on the cutting of mangroves by the residents of Getafe “for firewood and charcoal for commercial purposes,” although DENR-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said the agency has no figures yet on the extent of the illegal activities.

Llamedo told The Freeman: “We discussed it during the June 16 executive meeting, presided by Montejo, who in turn directed Bohol PENRO Nestor Canda to create a team.”.

Montejo has ordered for the strict implementation of the region-wide ban on harvesting or cutting of mangroves which is allegedly rampant within the largest man-made mangrove forest in Asia. He said Presidential Proclamation 2146, promulgated in 1982, and Republic Act 7161 have even imposed a national ban

The BIMF is an eco-tourism destination with an approximate area of 425 hectares established through community efforts, which started sometime in 1957. In December 1981, the Getafe mangrove reserve became a protected area, via enactment of several laws.

“Mangroves are very useful because they serve as critical spawning, nursery, feeding and transient shelter areas to hundreds of fish species and support an abundant and productive marine life,” said Montejo.

“Mangrove forests act as barriers or natural seawalls that protect coastal communities from tsunamis and storm surges, phenomena which are now more common because of climate change. It also acts as a buffer for sea level rise, a phenomenon also linked to climate change,” he added.