The Regional Law Enforcement Council (Relec) in the Cagayan Valley has stepped up its monitoring and surveillance efforts against illegal forest activity, especially in Region 2’s “hot spot zones” (Cagayan Valley).
The council was recently gathered, and Relec Chairman Gwendolyn Bambalan stressed the significance of trees in guaranteeing the sustainability of all living forms and in reducing global warming.
According to Bambalan, they should concentrate their efforts in the towns of Baggao and Peablanca in the province of Cagayan and Jones in the province of Isabela.
“While we cannot avoid apprehending and confiscating unauthorized forest products passing through the region, it is best to stop cutting down trees in the forest,” said Bambalan.
Joel Daquioag, the head of the DENR Enforcement Division, gave a report on the division’s successes for 2022, which included 105 combined arrests by the DENR and Philippine National Police (PNP), the seizure of 59,218.44 board feet of forest products, and 41 vehicles.
DENR Region 2 Legal Chief Richard Jayson Garan led the review of the responsibilities and duties of council members, including the Philippine Air Force and Land Transportation Office, to reaffirm the dedication of members of the council to this year’s forest security and law enforcement implementation programs.
Cagayan continues to fight illegal logging
Moreover, Bambalan advocated for a review of DENR regulations by conducting a reorientation of DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 97-32, commonly known as “1997 Rules for the Administrative Adjudication of Illegal Forest Products and the Machinery, Equipment, Tools and Conveyances used in Connection Therewith.”
The police chiefs and leaders from the many municipalities and cities in the Cagayan Valley, which includes the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Batanes, would be invited, according to her.
Bambalan claims that the council has been presented with a proposal to include Relec activities under the Regional Development Council Sub-Committee.
She noted that the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Batanes, which make up the Cagayan Valley, will all be sending invitations to their respective police chiefs as well as officials from the many municipalities and cities.
The Regional Development Council Sub-Committee has been asked to include Relec activities, claims Bambalan.
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