DENR warns timber dealers, wood processing plant operators against coddling with timber smugglers
BUTUAN CITY - Legitimate operators of mini sawmill, wood processing plant and lumber dealers in Butuan City have been warned against coddling with timber smugglers.
DENR Regional Executive Director for Caraga Region Edilberto S. Buiser made the warning on the heels of the intensified campaign of the DENR against illegal logging activities.
At the same time, CENR Officer Jaime C. Acebu has also met the members of the Butuan Integrated Group of Band-Sawmill Operators and Lumber Dealers (BIGBOLD) to discuss about the new rules and regulations being imposed by the DENR in line with the campaign.
The “BIGBOLD”members were apparently more concerned of their situation in the face of the intensive crackdown by the DENR particularly against timber smuggling and poaching since the start of the year.
Acebu who arranged for the meeting with the mini saw mill operators has sought the full cooperation of the organization as he requested them to heed the new regulations on the transport of forest products being implemented by the DENR.
Director Buiser and the PENRO of Agusan del Norte Rosendo Asunto have both asked the operators of all established wood processing plants in the city to heed the standing policy of the DENR about the transport of forest products to Cebu City.
PENRO Asunto has always emphasized to the group that one of the requirements for the issuance of transport documents on lumber and other building materials is the sales invoice as provided for under PD 205 section 79. The non-issuance of sales invoice, he said, shall be a ground for the suspension of license for a period of not less than 2 years.
CENRO Acebu said some mini-sawmill operators have likewise been asked to secure valid licenses to justify their businesses so that they can earn legitimate income instead of antagonizing the government of revenues needed to spur development of infrastructure in the countryside.
The operators and owners of wood processing plants made have assured the DENR officials of their full cooperation and support on all the programs of the government particularly on the anti-illegal logging campaign.
The DENR Caraga Region has intensified its campaign against timber smuggling throughout the region in line with the declaration of Secretary Jose Atienza, Jr.for 2009 as the “Law Enforcement Year”. The declaration has also emphasized the Department’s stepped-up campaign to protect the country’s environment and natural resources.
Secretary Atienza has made it clear that “the DENR will give more dedication and seriousness in effort to protect the environment, including the land, air, water and forests, against environmental violators.” They will be pursued guided by our environmental laws,”
“I am confident that year 2009 can make the difference. Aside from the fact that we have 42 environmental laws that give us more teeth in our fight against environmental violators, the judiciary is also taking a more active role in protecting nature and the country’s environment,” Atienza said.
CENRO Acebu has encouraged the members to put up a building where they can hold meetings to strengthen their organization and serve as their office where the DENR could easily send communications particularly on matters regarding new policies, rules and regulations concerning forestry matters. (Eric Herzon F. Gallego, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Caraga RDC approves new resolutions
Six resolutions were approved by the Regional Development Council of the Caraga Region during its 58th Full Council Meeting held at the Hanuman Hall, Goat2geder Hotel and Restaurant in Butuan City on February 19, 2008.
The resolutions push for the extension of the Philippine-Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP), the implementation of the Rationalization Plan in the government sector, the designation of a Presidential Assistant for Caraga, and endorsement of Caraga Business Conference (CBC) resolutions No. 3, 4 and 5, series of 2008. The CBC Resolution No.3 seeks the creation of a Convention Bureau under the supervision of the Regional Tourism Council. The CBC Resolution No. 4 calls for a public-private partnership between the local government units and the business community of Caraga as key players for socio-economic development. And the CBC Resolution No. 5 requests Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to order the Bureau of Internal Revenue to stop the implementation of Revenue Regulation No. 13-2007 prescribing the rules on the advance payment of value added tax/percentage tax on the transport of naturally-grown and planted timber products.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office for Caraga presented the topic, “Global Financial Crisis: Its Impact in Caraga Region and Our Roadmap for Rebound,” which summarizes the output and strategies from the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) Resiliency Planning Workshop held on February 12, 2009. A suggestion to conduct a road show on the Global Financial Crisis and the Region’s strategies at the provinces of the region to promote awareness and support was affirmed by the body.
Also presented was the Comprehensive Livelihood Employment Emergency Program (CLEEP), a short-term mechanism to address the employment problem faced by the vulnerable sectors. Director Chona T. Mantilla of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office XIII expounded on the employment situationer covering different industries in the region affected by the GFC while the Philippine National Police Regional Office XIII discussed the effects of the GFC on crime statistics.
The resolutions and issues requiring action from the Cabinet or from the President were referred to Tourism Secretary Ace H. Durano, the Region’s Cabinet Official for Regional Development and the steward for CLEEP in Caraga. Secretary Durano was represented in the meeting by his undersecretary, Phineas Alburo. (Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga)
PNP receives more new vehicles for PRO 13
Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) was as one of the beneficiaries of the 12 Toyota Hilux, 12 motorcycles and two units of Innova PNP vehicles held recently during the Traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Regional Head Quarter.
The distribution was in accordance with the Issuance Directives Number DL2-2009-01-477 to 488-PNP for the beneficiary of 12 Toyota Patrol Jeep (4X2) Hilux, Issuance Directives Number DL2-2008-01-720 to 731 for the beneficiary of 12 XR 200cc Honda motorcycle and Issuance Directives Number DL2-2009-01-614 to 615 for the beneficiary of two Light Transport Vehicles Toyota Innova from the Directorate for Logistics, National Headquarters, Camp Crame, Quezon City.
PCSUPT Jaime Eloreta Milla, PRO 13 Regional Director managed the distributions together with the Chief Logistics PSUPT Ronaldo Rivero Cabral, also of PRO 13.
This activity is in relation with the PNP Facilities Development the number 3 Key Result Area in the Integrated Transformation Program of the PNP. Among those recipients of said PNP HILUX vehicles are the municipalities of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; Bayugan City; Loreto, Dinagat Islands; Libjo, Dinagat Islands; 144th RMG COY; Alegria, Surigao del Norte; Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte; San Benito, Surigao del Norte; Socorro, Surigao del Norte; Tubod, Surigao del Norte; and Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.
For the Honda XR 200, also 11 municipalities and one city received the vehicles which are Cabadbaran City; Magallanes, Agusan del Norte; Tubay, Agusan del Norte; La Paz, Agusan del Sur; Sibagat and Talacogon, Agusan del Sur; Basilisa, Surigao del Norte; Tubajon, Dinagat Islands; Malimono, Surigao del Norte; Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte; Lianga, Surigao del Sur; and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Surigao City and San Jose, Dinagat Islands received the Toyota Innova.
The activities are graced by the presence of their local executives such as Mayors, Vice Mayors and Sanggunian Bayan (SB) Members of the receiving municipality. Also present during the program is National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Assistant Regional Director Florita Micayabas.
The aim of which is to upgrade physical facilities and equipment in support to Police Field Operations, including the updating of Police Equipment Standards and the development of a Multi-Year Financing and Procurement Plan, development and upgrading of the facilities, equipment and physical set-up of the PNP and the provision of model infrastructure for Police Stations and Sub-Stations in the country. (PCINSP Nelly T Villagarcia, PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
Report on alleged robbery incidents
On February 23, 2009 around 11:45 in the morning, one Toyota Revo color blue with plate number XGG 512 driven by a certain Jessie Paredes, 36 years old, married and a resident of Lucky Village, Barangay Ambago, Butuan City was robbed while parked at the parking lot of Gaisano Mall of Butuan City.
Culprit/s broke the glass window at the right rear portion of the car and carted the items such as one laptop ACER worth Ph 28,000.00; cellular phone Nokia 6100 color blue worth Php 5,000.00; bag with pants and t-shirts inside; charger of cellular phone and other important documents.
On the same date around 12:15 in the afternoon, Fr Ruby Tagaro, 45 years old, a resident of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur and an SVD Cultural Communities Ministry Coordinator reported to Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) that his driven Isuzu Fuego color white with plate number KCU-812 was being robbed by destroying the rear left window of the car.
Culprit then took the items such as one HP Laptop worth Php 70,000.00; Card Reader worth Php 200.00; bank book check (BPI) empty; Master Card (BPI and Patron); charger of cellular phone and other personal belongings.
Investigation disclosed that while the ISUZU Fuego was parked unattended at Butuan Express Hardware along JC Aquino Avenue, Butuan City, the robber/s got a chance and took the valuable things inside.
Personnel of BCPO are still conducting follow-up investigation to trace the identity of the suspects for possible recovery of the stolen items and to file cases against the culprits. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Tank of motorcycle, recovered
On February 23, 2009 at 5:00 in the afternoon at Rosales Street, Butuan City, elements of TRU led by SPO4 Claros Jr recovered gasoline tank of Yamaha motorcycle STX 125 color red from the possession of a certain Gualberto Llagas, 52 years old, married, proprietor of MG Motor Parts and resident of Block-1, Lot-22 Emenville Subdivision, Barangay Ambago, Butuan City.
Said stolen item which was recovered at MG motor Parts along Rosales Street, Butuan City is owned by Mr Juanito Velarde, 67 years old, a resident of Lopez Jaena Extension, Butuan City and was sold to Mr Llagas in the amount of Php 1,500.00 by the suspect.
BCPO is preparing appropriate charges for filing in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
