Cenro – Buguias intensifies illegal logging drive

THE COMMUNITY Environment and Natural Resources Office ( Cenro) in Buguias has intensified their anti – illegal logging operations within the municipalities of Atok and Tublay, Benguet.

Aside from illegal logging, Cenro – Buguias also checked other forms of forest and environmental destructions within the two municipalities following a directive from Engineer Ralph Pablo, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource – Cordillera Administrative Region.

With the help of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office ( PENRO), Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO – COR), and the local government of Tublay, inspection and investigation of illegal cutting, small scale mining, dumping of waste, land conversion and earthmoving activities along the Mt. DATA national park located within the municipalities of Atok and Tublay

Mt. Data is the head source of water of Agno River and Amburayan River watershed.

Both municipalities are the gateway of Halsema Highway going to Mountain Province, Ifugao and Cervantes Ilocos Sur.

The area is also

dominated by vegetative cover and Benguet Pine Forest.

During their operation, the team confiscated eight pieces of 2”x4”x8’ Benguet Pine Lumber having a total volume of 42.67 board feet with estimated market value of P1,706.80.

The sawn lumber was found at Damsite, Caliking in Atok and is now under the custody of Cenro - Buguias. Edgardo Buyatan/ CENRO Buguias