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



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Catanduanes intensifies fight vs smuggling of forest resources

BY: EDNA A. BAGADIONG
       
VIRAC, Catanduanes, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- In its effort to abate the incidence of forest product smuggling in Catanduanes province, Governor Araceli B. Wong issued Executive Order No. 3 that requires all land-based cargo conveyance operators to secure clearance from the local government's Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) prior to departure to mainland Bicol and other destinations.

Wong stressed that the directives intends to stop the cases of smuggling in the province and as well as to establish a mechanism to prevent the denudation of the forest cover of island.

The move also manifested the commitment of the  provincial government  to protect the tropical rainforest in the province to ensure sustenance and viability of wild life in the island.

The EO also aimed to deter  the proliferation of unregulated extraction and transport of timber products and other forest products that might result in permanent damage to the forest ecosystem of the province to the detriment of the Catandunganons.

Wong said that before loading any kind of product to be transported outside the province, all island-based cargo conveyance operators must first secure the ENRO clearance.

The clearance will only be issued by the provincial ENRO upon submission of a duly accomplished pro-forma inspection report by authorized monitoring staff and upon payment by the operator of a certification fee.

According to  Wong, all monitoring and technical staff of ENRO is authorized to enforce the order.

She added that this campaign shall be supported by the Task Force Kalikasan headed by Vice-Governor Jose J. Teves, Jr.

She said that with the aid of the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Ports Authority, said effort to end smuggling will be successful. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)

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