...

Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Tuesday, February 25, 2014

DENR renews warning against wood charcoal making, trading

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has warned anew the public not to engage in charcoal making out of wood and trading for which violate Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

DENR Bicol regional executive director Gilbert Gonzales said Friday last week the DENR field offices in the region noted the rampant production of wood charcoal in some areas while many violators of PD 705 have been apprehended by his field personnel and cooperating law enforcers.

Based on PD 705, anybody caught cutting, gathering, collecting or removing wood from alienable or disposable lands or even private property with the necessary permit or authorization from concerned government entities will be imposed the penalty of qualified theft.

The only charcoal material to be allowed is coconut shell which also abounds in the region

Gonzales added that anybody found in possession of the charcoal in sacks will be considered as the guilty person,

He also warned that wood charcoal traders will also face government sanctions if found transacting business.

All confiscated charcoal and the vehicle transporting it will be placed under government custody, undergo administrative confiscation proceedings and face a criminal case in the court.

Gonzales added that wood charcoal production is directly associated with deforestation because of the impression that much of the volume of charcoal used  are still sourced from the forests.

"Those who want to engage in charcoal making and transporting, he advised, may get a permit from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in their respective areas," he said. (MAL/EPSolis-CGLegazpi/PIA5/Albay)

No comments:

Post a Comment