P2.2 million worth of 'hot' forest products

PRESS RELEASE                                                            FOR REFERENCE
January 27, 2010                                                              ALFREDO S. ARAYA
                                                                                         Chief, Regional Public Affairs Office
                                                                                         Telefax: 4820857
                                                                                         Email: araya_rpao5denr@yahoo.com

P2.2 million worth of 'hot' forest products confiscated in Bicol in CY 2009

LEGAZPI CITY - More than P2 million worth of illegal forest products were confiscated in Bicol last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported.

DENR authorities here said this was due to the strict campaign against illegal logging which resulted in the apprehension and confiscation of 200.109 cubic meters of forest products consisting of round logs, flitches and lumber worth about P2,226,863.00 and 42 conveyances and 11 chainsaws used in the illegal trade.

At least 15 cases were filed in various counts for violation of Section 68 and 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705 known as the Forestry Code of the Philippines, during the same period.

Forest protection and anti-illegal logging campaign has been and continues to be pursued in order to preserve and protect the region's remaining forestlands, according to DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada.

"This function has been institutionalized as a sahred responsibility among Local Government Units, Law Enforcement Agencies, People's Organizations, Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committees (MFPCs), Civic groups and concerned individuals makig the strategy more effective than ever," Fragada said.

He also said that the strict implementation of forest laws and regulations is based on the assumption that - anyone who destroys the environment violates the law and the rights of the people to a healthy environment and therefore should be meted with appropriate punishment. (ASA)