DENR axes illegal logging in Lanao del Sur

At least P1.4 million worth of illegal logs were confiscated and turned over to the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Group of Lanao del Sur, Saturday, December 17.

Approximately 28,730 board feet of premium assorted logs were seized as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) closed three illegally operating sawmills from three barangays in Maguing town, this province.

DENR-ARMM Secretary Forester Kahal Kedtag said the operation was immediately conducted by the department after proving through a series of investigations that illegal cutting of trees has been happening in the watershed area.

Massive cutting of trees in the ARMM, Kedtag said, is strictly prohibited in pursuant to the Regional Governor's Executive Order No. 1 series of 2012 or the Total Logging Ban.

Out of the three sawmills closed, only two immediately qualified for illegal logging. As for the one sawmill, "We could not yet classify this as illegal logging kasi as we can see parang clearing lang ang ginagawa nila," Kedtag said.

"They are converting the forest land into agricultural land, but still it is prohibited since this is a watershed area", he added.

The owners of the seized sawmills are given a two-week grace period to answer before an adjudication about their operation.

Kedtag said if the operations are proven indeed illegal, the seized logs will be used for government projects such as arm chairs for public schools. (BPI/PIA-10)