Bislig council wants DENR order voided

Alarmed by what it described as the escalating peace and order problem caused by illegal loggers, the Bislig City council recently convened its peace and order council and sought the revocation of a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) order suspending the use of self-monitoring forms (SMFs) in log transport permits for planted tree species.

Upon orders of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez, the DENR’s Caraga executive director issued Memorandum Order No. 02-014 on Aug. 1 last year authorizing the Caraga Federation of Tree Farmers and Developers Inc. to issue log transport permits to plantation owners.

Alvarez handpicked Florio Josafat Jr. of the Bislig, Barobo, Hinatuan, Linggig and Tagbina (BIBAHILITA) group to issue log travel documents, instead of the community environment and natural resources officers (CENROs) who are accountable government officials.

In Resolution No. 2003-02, the Bislig City peace and order council, however, said it has "observed anomalies in the documentation in the transport of timber harvested from the private lands" issued by the Caraga Federation of Tree Farmers and Developers Inc., as well as "abuses, extortion and indiscretions" it has allegedly committed too.

The council added that the peace and order situation in Bislig "is being threatened (by) the continuous and mounting tension created by the federation with its obvious disregard for the existing rules, regulations, statures and laws of the city."

Vice Mayor Pablo Chicano presided over the council’s meeting.