TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas has apprehended 399,341.73 board feet of logs, lumber, and timber in its efforts to combat illegal logging hotspots in the region.
Lormelyn E. Claudio, the regional executive director of the DENR-8, has reported increased efforts to enhance forest protection and address illegal logging hotspots in the region during the 8th episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, July 16.
“Through the collaborative efforts and coordination with the law enforcement agencies kasama natin diyan ang Philippine National Police, Philippine Army at pati na rin yung Philippine Coastguard, NBI and of course, the local government units, meron tayong monitoring at ini-strengthen natin talaga ito,” Claudio said.
These reported apprehensions were recorded from January 2022 to the first semester of 2024.
The Landscape and Wildlife Indicator (LAWIN) patrols had patrolled a total of 21,690.05 kilometers in different areas of the region, according to DENR.
So, gusto ko rin ipamalita na meron tayo priority program din para ma-neutralize natin yung mga illegal logging hotspots alam ko interesado kayo na malaman ito at ito nga mayroon tayong patrolling ng Lawin System inaayos natin yan at sa katunayan nga may 21, 690 kilometers na na-patrol natin dahil mayroon tayong mga tinatawag nating LAWIN patrollers,” Claudio said.
(So, I also want to announce that we have a priority program to neutralize illegal logging hotspots. I know you are interested to know this, and indeed, we have the Lawin System patrolling. We are organizing this, and in fact, we have already patrolled 21,690 kilometers with the help of our so-called Lawin patrollers.
In addition, the DENR has strengthened its collaboration with law enforcement agencies by conducting regular monitoring and continuous forest patrolling through the LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System.
This includes the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and National Bureau of Investigation, among others.
The local government units are also involved, especially the barangays, as local leaders are interested in protecting their respective barangays.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo hanggat sa barangay level. Ito ang kaigihan nito dahil alam ko ang ating mga local leaders at the barangay ay interesado din siyempre kailangan din nilang protektahan ang ating mga kagubatan,” Claudio said.
(We are coordinating down to the barangay level. This is beneficial because I know our local leaders at the barangay are also interested since they also need to protect our forests.)
A memorandum of agreement has been established between the DENR-8 and various stakeholders to reinvigorate the anti-illegal logging task force. (CBA, PIA-8)
