Cebu towns, cities tagged as illegal logging hotspots

CEBU, Philippines - At least 17 areas in Central Visayas, 10 of which are in Cebu, have been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 as hotspots for illegal logging.

The illegal logging hotspots include the towns of Argao, Carmen, Liloan, and the three island municipalities of Bantayan, Santa Fe, and Madridejos. The cities of Talisay, Toledo, Danao, and Cebu.

Other areas considered hotspots are Tagbilaran City and Talibon in Bohol, Ayungon and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo, however, explained that this does not necessary mean that illegal logging is rampant in these areas. He said that these areas are often used as transshipment points for hot logs.

Llamedo said that the presence of piers in these areas and the incidents of apprehensions in the past three years were among the criteria they considered in selecting hotspots.

“Gihimo lang ni nga mga areas as transshipment point of illegal lumber coming from Surigao and some areas in Mindanao,” Llamedo told The Freeman yesterday.

DENR-7 has intensified its anti-illegal logging campaign this year to protect the remaining forest cover and at the same time mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that the fight against illegal logging continues. In fact, he claimed to have been making headways in the implementation of environmental laws.

Montejo said forestry checkpoints have been established in strategic locations like piers and other areas in the four provinces in Central Visayas.

These checkpoints, Montejo said, are essential to flag down movements of forest products which are not covered with appropriate permits.

He explained the importance of providing original transport documents covering the shipment of all forest products. The documents would not only serve as basis in determining the source but also in providing a control mechanism against the unauthorized movement and disposition of contraband forest products.

DENR-7 is set to convene on January 23 the Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force to strengthen coordinative mechanisms with various partners and other stakeholders for better networking and surveillance, actively monitor hotspots areas, and update the members of the task force on the existing forestry laws, rules and regulations. (FREEMAN)