DENR-7 seizes PHP3.6M worth of forest products as of Oct. 30
CEBU CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Region 7 Enforcement Division has seized a total of 316.452 cubic meters undocumented forest products worth PHP3.654 million as of October 30 in Central Visayas.
The forest products include logs, lumber, timber and flitches of various species which are now in the custody of the DENR 7 and are placed in the intended depository areas while cases and proceedings are ongoing.
The volume of seized products decreased by nearly 100 cubic meters compared to the same period last year which recorded a total confiscation of 402.994 cubic meters.
DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said this indicated a decline on the illegal transport of forest products without the necessary permits or documents.
Montejo said this is due to the effective implementation of the Executive Order 23 issued by President Benigno C. Aquino III by putting up more functional monitoring units in seaports or piers in order to detect movement of forest products.
“We have directed all our enforcement officers to be on full alert the whole year round to seize illegal forest products,†Montejo said.
Montejo said they have so far conducted around 238 anti-illegal logging operations in Central Visayas with the help of the Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force (RALTF).â€
The RALTF is composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command, Bureau of Customs (BoC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Naval Forces Central (Navforcen), and Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Of the total number of apprehensions, DENR 7 has filed 26 forestry related cases this year, of which 13 were in Cebu, one in Bohol and 12 in Negros Oriental. (PNA)
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