Intensified IEC to the community and stakeholders, and strengthened partnership with law enforcement agencies led to the confiscation of undocumented and illegally-sourced timber in a wood factory in Malvar, Batangas. Armed with a search warrant, CENR Officer Allan Willard Estillore together with the Enforcement and Monitoring personnel of DENR CENRO Lipa and operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation Region IV-A, conducted a search operation at the illegally-operated wood processing plant in Barangay San Pedro I, Malvar, Batangas on November 17, 2022.

A total estimated volume of 22, 000 board feet of forest products along with two (2) units of band saws and one (1) unit of table saw were seized and confiscated at Malvar, Batangas. The perpetrators failed to provide legal documents relative to the possession of illegally-cut lumbers and registration of table and band saws. The seized forest products and accessories used in the illegal operation amounting to 11 million pesos including the environmental damages, were confiscated in violation of Section 66 of Presidential Decree 705 (Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines) and Section 7 of Presidential Decree 9145 (Philippine Chainsaw Act of 2002).

Also, during the operation, a delivery truck approaching the area was likewise apprehended where it was found carrying 36 pieces of Mango lumber with an estimated volume of 348 board feet. The truck driver also failed to present any legal documents; thus, the delivery truck was impounded in violation of Section 66 of PD 705.

Separate cases are now being prepared against the alleged owners of the wood processing plant and the driver of the delivery truck and his accomplice.

In support to the intensified forest protection and anti-illegal logging campaign, the DENR CENRO Lipa is relentless with its initiative to strengthen partnerships with law enforcement agencies, LGUs and stakeholders to ensure firm and sustained enforcement of laws to protect and conserve forest resources within its area of responsibility.

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Photo Releases
Published: 20 December 2022