MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Six key officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here in the province were reshuffled following reports of unabated illegal logging in towns declared as protected areas.

The order came directly from Environment Secretary Lito Atienza last Monday, giving DENR regional director Leonardo Sibaluca 72 hours to investigate the alleged cutting of trees in the towns of Batuan, Ubay, Catigbian and municipalities within the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape and the Bayongan Dam watershed.

The revamp came as a surprise to DENR officials and staff here.

Less than a year ago, a reshuffling of the heads of the local DENR was made after then Sec. Angelo Reyes was informed of the environment officials' inaction to violations made by some resort owners in Panglao that are constructing buildings within the 20-meter salvage zone.

PENRO Eduardo Inting is being moved to the Cebu City office of the deputy regional director and replaced by Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) head Nestor Canda.

Meanwhile, CENRO-Tagbilaran head Samuel Racho is replaced by Eusalem Quiwag, a former land management officer of CENRO-Tagbilaran.

CENRO-Talibon officer-in-charge Protacio Orog was also replaced by forester Alejandro Estopa. Orog is assigned at the PENRO office.

In an interview with Canda, he confirmed that a team from the regional office is in the province to investigate the reports of illegal logging.

Canda said he accepts the challenge of his new assignment and vowed to implement the 20-meter public easement in coastal municipalities.

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