NAVAL, Biliran -- With the continuing reported problem on illegal logging in some villages in the province of Biliran, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Eastern Visayas plans to deputize the local government unit officials to help the agency’s campaign not only on illegal logging but against all forms of illegal activities that will destroy the environment.
“I will bring my team here in Naval town,” vowed DENR-Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca during the one-day convergence of heads of national government agencies, local government officials and development stakeholders dubbed as “Tagpo-Kauswagan sa Naval” (Convergence for Naval’s Progress) held last February 22.
Sibbaluca’s proposal came into the picture after one of the barangay officials in Naval reported of illegal logging activity in their area during the open forum of the one-day convergence activity.
The environment chief assured Naval Mayor Gerard Roger Espina to deputize barangay officials and other LGU-Naval officials as forest officers clothed with the authority to confiscate illegally cut logs based on the reported illegal logging activity.
He even said he will donate the confiscated illegally cut logs to the raiding deputized officials to include even the equipment like chainsaw and transport means used whether it is a carabao or a vehicle.
“Please help us,” Sibbaluca strongly appealed to the LGU officials after admitting the shortage of manpower in his agency in its campaign against all forms of illegal activities like illegal logging, illegal fishing and other illegal activities that destroy the environment.
Sibbaluca added he will bring his team in Naval to conduct a one-day training for deputized environmental officers to be issued with deputation papers to incude the identification card.
He further said that DENR has already deputized environmental officers in Samar provinces. (PIA)