Task force vs. illegal logging created in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, June 7 (PNA) -- Various government agencies forged on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure the effective implementation of President Benigno S. Aquino III directive for a moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber in the province.

Among the signatories were Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer(PENRO) Rafael Otic; Provincial Prosecutor Floro Florendo from the Department of Justice (DOJ); Provincial Director Abraham Pascua of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Nueva Ecija Police Director Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu and Colonel Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the Philippine Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade.

These officials will serve as members of the task force against illegal logging as stipulated under Executive Order no. 23 which President Aquino issued on Feb. 1, 2011.

Otic said the MOU was aimed at formulating a more drastic action in the implementation of Executive Order No. 23.

EO 23 declared a "moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forest and creating anti-illegal logging task force."

The signatories have pledged to "implement the law" without giving undue favor to anyone, Otic said.

Trinidad said the signing of the MOU formalized the Army's continuous effort in helping the DENR in its fight against illegal logging and all forms of violating laws on forest protection.

"We have to be really sincere in implementing laws to protect our forest," Trinidad said, noting that "after all we are all affected when disaster comes."

Otic said the newly-formed task force against illegal logging will intensify drive against illegal logging or timber poaching in any part of Nueva Ecija.

"It's virtually total log ban in Nueva Ecija," he said.

Florendo said that failure of witnesses, mostly military men, policemen and environment employees, to attend court hearings resulted in dismissal of cases filed against suspected illegal loggers in the past.

But the drive is expected to be more vibrant this time since the task force was created by virtue of the EO.

"Before it was only an agreement among the agencies, but this time it is an executive order from the President," the officials stressed.

Aliggayu admitted they have in their list a local politician allegedly protecting illegal logging operations but refused to disclose the official's identity.

"I would not reveal," he said but stressing that the police will not hesitate to arrest whoever violates the law, especially on the implementation of E.O. 23. (PNA)