Moratorium set on issuance of docs for firewood, coal

CEBU, Philippines - Amidst reports of various violations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has imposed a moratorium in the processing and issuance of transport documents for firewood and charcoal in five towns in Cebu.

In a memorandum, DENR-7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said there have been forest products that were delivered to urban centers or cities as firewood or charcoal with transport documents issued by field offices despite the wood products coming from illegal sources.

The suspension covers five towns, including Tuburan, San Remegio, Tabuelan, Asturias, and Balamban. The suspension will stay until further notice.

 Montejo said that the government is investing so much budget plantations and DENR does not want the money and efforts to go to waste.

  Montejo likewise directed Jose Cleo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer-Cebu, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Roldan Cotejo (Carmen), and Fedencio Carreon (Toledo City) to pinpoint DENR personnel found to be involved in the illegal activity so that appropriate charges can be filed against them.

“I am directing our field officers to strictly comply with the moratorium and to discuss this with the local chief executives on the affected towns,” Montejo said.  (FREEMAN)