By Rizalie Calibo

Dumaguete City (5 October) -- In line with its efforts to curb illegal logging/cutting of trees in the province, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) here in a joint operation with the DENR Task Force apprehended recently a certain Lani Abong Macalisang of Cang-agong, Siquijor Siquijor for misdeclaration/misrepresentation of lumber shipment.

Paul V. Tomogsoc of the DENR here said, the lumbers supposedly ready for loading via on board Don Martin 8 bound for Cebu City covered a volume of 8, 214.19 bd, ft. or 19.37 cu. m. with a total value of P294, 127.30.

According to Tomogsoc, said shipment was issued by the DENR with a Self Monitoring Form or Transport Permit covering a volume of 4, 623.6 bd. Ft. or 10.9 cu. m. , but when carefully verified and inspected, exceeded about one hundred percent, thereby causing for the outright confiscation for misdeclaration/misrepresentation.

He said the lumbers need to have a Special Private Land Timber of which only the DENR Secretary is authorized to issue/grant such.

Confiscated forest products were teak and molave lumbers, now in custody of the office while further investigation on the matter and possible filing of Criminal Complaint against the accused or culprit are meanwhile pending.

Tomogsoc said their office is continuously strengthening efforts on their campaign to crack down on illegal loggers and lawless criminals. In a related development, Task Force Guimaras continues to assess and review the measures being undertaken to contain the oil slick off Guimaras island. The Government will ensure that measures undertaken are both environment-friendly and economically sustainable, Malacanang said.

It said that the Administration is confident that the task force would be able to discern its options well and work closely with the private sector in the technical aspects of containment and rehabilitation.