Dingalan execs scolded over illegal logging

DINGALAN, Aurora — Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has scolded local officials over their supposed failure to stop illegal logging amid reports that certain officials have been conniving with some businessmen to transport forest products out of this calamity-ravaged town.

Local officials led by acting Mayor Edgardo Galvez and acting Vice Mayor Edgar Liu literally rolled out the red carpet to welcome Angara-Castillo during the town’s 50th fiesta celebration Friday, but were shocked when she blew her top and gave the rest of the welcoming party from the Sangguniang Bayan a severe tongue-lashing.

A visibly irked Angara-Castillo, who was accompanied by her nephew, House Deputy Minority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara, told the town officials that she has been receiving reports that they have been abetting illegal logging.

"I will not hesitate to take punitive action against anyone found involved," she said.

Angara-Castillo said she was disappointed that despite the efforts of the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to stop illegal logging in the province, local officials have not been cooperating and in fact, have been involved themselves.

She cited an incident when a local official, whom she did not identify, was caught escorting a logging truck during a recent operation. The official was reportedly receiving protection from a DENR executive.

"I would not allow illegal logging in Dingalan because if we don’t stop it, people would claim it thrives because of our protection," she said.

Angara-Castillo said Dingalan has braved 50 years of trials, including calamities, and that the residents should continue to care for the environment which is the source of their life.

"I’m sure Dingalan does not want to be known as the seat of illegal logging. This is not good for Aurora," she said.

Angara-Castillo said she has ordered an investigation into reports that permits for the retrieval of logs are being used by other people to transport illegally cut logs out of the province.

She also criticized a local DENR official who, she said, has not been cooperating in the anti-illegal logging campaign and has not appeared even once before the provincial board to shed light on illegal logging.

Sought for comment, Galvez, the acting mayor in place of detained Mayor Jaime Ylarde, said he was not affected by the governor’s scolding because he did not feel alluded to.

Ylarde is under detention on murder charges for the killing of Aurora publisher Philip Agustin.