AN INTENSIVE investigation against illegal logging in the forest ranges in Mangatarem town and most parts of neighboring Zambales area was launched last week by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR officials arrived Tuesday at the agency’s provincial office based in Dagupan to initiate the probe, which was prompted by an anonymous letter addressed to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje insinuating the ineptness of the office of Leduina Co, provincial environment and natural resources officer, to deal with the matter.

Co, welcoming the investigation, said illegal logging in the area has stopped after the Philippine Army put up detachments in Barangays Muelang and Mapita.

Last February 25, 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil sent a text message to Co informing her of the alleged unabated illegal logging activities in Mangatarem.

On the same day, Co held an emergency meeting with the members of Pangasinan Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force, chiefs of police of the towns of Mangatarem, Aguilar, Bugallon and Labrador and staff of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Dagupan City.

The meeting resulted in the establishment of military detachments, hiring of four more forest rangers, hauling of abandoned logs and lumbers, mapping and retrieval operations, intensified surveillance and patrol work, among others.

BIG BOSS

Co noted that that many abandoned logs have been retrieved but there are still some left in the area.

“A good number of 30 to 40 years old forest trees have been cut down for use as lumbers while others were utilized for charcoal making, she said.

“And the volume of felled trees were unquantifiable due to the non-existence of traces but only those evident shaved portions of the forested areas seem to be present which have been our basis for our investigation since March 15, 2012 up to this very date,” Co added in her letter dated May 9, 2012 to concerned town officials.

The suspected “big boss” of the illegal loggers is reportedly known to the town mayors of communities affected.

Co said they discovered new rough roads leading to the forested areas which they believe were used to transport illegally cut timbers as evidenced by traces of trucks’ tires.

There were also makeshift tents and provisions of food and clothing, which were evidently used by the illegal loggers.

“The illegal logging activities are well financed and organized,” Co added.

Residents in areas traversed by the illegal loggers are reportedly afraid to speak about what they witnessed for fear of reprisal from the influential person suspected to be behind the illegal logging.

DELINEATION

Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel also wrote to Co regarding the delineation of areas for rehabilitation/plantation establishment within the Mangatarem-Zambales Road.

“It is compellingly urgent and necessary that the final areas to be rehabilitated as well as the open areas needing immediate planting within the Mangatarem-Zambales Road be identified on the ground and mapped for submission to the Central office,” Peñafel wrote.

He said the action plan required to submit “dwelt on closure of some points within the (illegally) logged areas, the construction of permanent station and the funding requirement for survey and mapping of about 500 hectares only. “

“We have to have a comprehensive plan for the whole area,” Peñafiel said.–Eva Visperas

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