SEVEN truck loads of cut trees in Carmen, northern Cebu and two truck loads of charcoal worth P3 million were seized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Talisay City.
DENR Forest Management specialist Leo T. Remita said the truck drivers failed to present documents to show they are authorized to transport lumber materials.
“There was a checkpoint and we apprehended them,” he said. The cut trees were supposedly used for firewood and charcoal to be sold in Cebu.
A complaint for violation of the Forestry Code will be filed against the nine drivers and truck owners.
Remitar said the lumber will be donated to the Department of Education (DepEd-7) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7). He said transport permits can be secured from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) at Carmen and Toledo offices.
He said their office issued a moratorium on the cutting of trees and delivery of firewood and charcoal in the towns of Tuburan, San Remegio, Tabuelan, Asturias, and Balamban effective last April 3.
Remitar said he was disappointed by the lack of vigilance against cutting of trees in these towns.
He said it’s possible that the lumber was also delivered to Mindanao and other parts of the country.