MANGATAREM—Efforts against illegal logging activities in the province need to be intensified and expanded, according to Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil.

Bataoil said following the successful operations of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Leduina Co against illegal logging in this town, same efforts must be pursued in nearby areas such as in the municipalities of Aguilar, Bugallon and Labrador.

Bataoil said he himself climbed the mountains of his district along the borders of Zambales and Tarlac twice last year and he saw for himself “the urgent need for immediate action, otherwise, the trend would be irreversible”.

Some people in the community of Lawak-Langka in Mangatarem already lost their homes to landslides in recent typhoons.

The policeman-turned-congressman said his office has already been receiving many reports of rampant illegal logging in these areas, especially during summer season and called on the people to provide more detailed information on the areas being invaded by illegal loggers.

He asked for more information behind indiscriminate tree cutting, those into charcoal making and others who destroy the environment.

Meanwhile, he lauded personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local officials as well as the police and the Army for joining hands to stop the degradation of the environment.

CUTTING TREES

In a related development, the DENR has warned the public that cutting trees requires permit from the agency.

Narciso Aragon, Alaminos City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said a permit to cut must be secured from the DENR before chopping any tree even if it is inside one’s own property.

Aragon also advised the public to register seedlings that are going to be planted as well as old trees from recently bought lands.

Permit to cut is readily available for trees that have been registered, he said during the KBP forum last week.

The DENR also allows the transport of felled trees, but a transport permit must be secured first before the trees are cut down, he said.

A salvage permit is also needed for naturally felled trees, or those destroyed by strong winds or uprooted by flood or earthquake. This, however, is only allowed for privately-owned trees and not applicable in public forests.

Meanwhile, Aragon said Alaminos City will resume the planting of seedlings at the onset of the rainy season for the National Greening Program.

Preparations currently being undertaken by the city include identification of areas to be planted, distribution of seedlings and tapping assistance of various participating groups, he said.—Eva Visperas with report from PIA-Pangasinan

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