DENR Region XI

Monkayo, ComVal Province - The “No Transport Policy” on forest products passing through the Cateel-Compostela road enforced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) early this year resulted to the apprehension of 1,130 pieces valued at 244T pesos of illegally cut and transported lauan logs and other miscellaneous species at Barangay Ngan, Compostela.

The said logs were apprehended by the joint forces of the National Task Force Kalikasan formed by DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza led by his Executive Officer PSUPT. Rommel Bernardo A. Cabagnot and the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force created by Regional Executive Director Ricardo L. Calderon.

The apprehension was also made possible through the intelligence and information gathering of the Forest Protection Unit of the Community Environment Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Monkayo under CENR Officer Willie Jordan. Jordan said that the logs were abandoned in the said area because of the massive checkpoint activities they conduct that prevented illegal forest products to be transported to their destination.

The seized forest products were immediately brought to the Wood Avenue Wooden Products (Veneer Plant) at Valma, Brgy. Ngan, Compostela, Comval Province for safe keeping until such time the said logs will be awarded to the winning bidder.

It must be noted that DENR Secretary Atienza vowed for an all-out forest protection all over the country. Being the primary government agency responsible for climate change mitigation, Atienza said that forest protection ensures continued absorption of trees by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and although Philippines hardly contribute to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions which is estimated at only 0.38% of global emissions, yet we suffer immensely from the effect of climate change. Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially in terms of extreme weather events.

It was on this note that DENR-XI dispatched the Regional Team to enforce the “No Transport Policy” on forest products passing through the Cateel-Compostela Road to protect the remaining forest resources in the boundary of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Provinces. This move also aims to protect the famous Aliwagwag falls which the Department of Tourism identified as one of the tourist destination and biodiversity site in Region-XI.

Also present during the apprehension were P/INSP. Elmer T. Vergara, PO3 Arnold D. Ibarra and Foresters Arnold A. Arbolado, Dave Fabila and Antonio Mendoza. (RPAO-DENR XI)