DENR files 28 illegal logging cases

Most of the forestry law violations were committed in Bohol, followed by Cebu with 10 raps

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 7) has filed 28 cases against forest law violators in Central Visayas—10 of them in Cebu Province—last year.

DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said in a statement that the move was part the anti-illegal logging campaign of the agency.

Apart from the 10 cases in Cebu, the Forestry Management Services annual report revealed that 11 were filed in Bohol and seven in Negros Oriental Province.

The DENR 7 stresses the need for strict enforcement of forest protection laws.

It said that as of 2011, 143,767 hectares or nearly 80 percent of Cebu's total forest land of 186,558 hectares do not have forests. Only about 42,700 hectares of what is classified as forest land in Cebu has forest cover, it said.

“We need the vigilance of the communities and local government units in enforcing forestry laws,” said Montejo.

The DENR collaborates with its field offices and partner agencies, especially those that also monitor illegal transport of forest products, in implementing the campaign against environmental law violators.

The National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force adopted a resolution mandating the military to help in the campaign.

The government also strengthened its reforestation program by allotting almost P370 million this year to plant trees in more than 24,000 hectares of forest land in Central Visayas under the National Greening Program.