The volume of confiscated timber and lumber, has almost doubled from 17,336 board feet in 2010 to 33,379.72 board feet last year, Task Force Ilahas records show.

This was noted even if the cutting of endemic trees in the hinterlands of EB Magalona, Murcia and Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, may have been minimized because of the stepped-up campaign against poachers.

In the same period, 57,598 board feet of deregulated species of trees, such as mahogany and gmelina, estimated to have a market value of P1,204,311 were also seized by TFI operatives at various checkpoints in Negros Occidental, for lack of documents, compared to 34,390 board feet in 2010.

Supt. Armando Tubongbanua, TFI action officer, yesterday attributed the increase in volume of confiscated timber and lumber last year, with a market value estimated at P1,248,068, excluding the 2,983 sacks of charcoal, to their all-out enforcement and awareness campaign, with the support of volunteers.

The cutting of endemic or banned species took place in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona, Brgy. Pandanon Silos in Murcia and in the boundary of Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, and Basay, Negros Oriental.

Tubongbanua said the arrested suspects in the cutting of endemic trees are usually settlers in the protected areas, who rely for their source of livelihood to charcoal-making.

He, however, said the cutting of banned species of trees at the Northern Negros Natural Park, especially in the hinterlands of EB Magalona and Murcia, has been minimized.

The market value of forest products seized by TFI last year totaled at P2,899,830 which is lower compared to P1,568,110 in 2010.

In compliance with the orders of TFI executive officer Jose Maria Valencia, and Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director, Tubongbanua said they will establish checkpoints to seal off exit areas of forest parks, both in northern and southern Negros.

In tandem with forest guard volunteers, troopers of the Public Safety Management Company may also assist TFI in operations against poachers, and act on reports of illegal logging activities, in coordination with the Philippine Army, he added. *GPB

back to top