Priest seeks investigation of Aurora illegal logging

Lucena City, Philippines – The parish administrator of Dingalan, Aurora and Umiray, Gen. Nakar in Quezon yesterday called for an investigation into the alleged illegal logging activities in the said areas which has triggered frequent floods.

Fr. Pete Montallana, in a letter to President Aquino, said the government must also probe the supposed destruction of the Sierra Madre, a mountain range in the country.

The parish official said there have been reports that approximately 10,000 pieces of hot logs have been illegally transported from Dingalan and Umiray on Jan. 10, for Mauban town.

Montallana likewise asked the government to immediately address the poor situation of loggers and charcoal makers in Umiray, Gen. Nakar, who are reportedly being taken advantaged of, by corrupt government officials.

He also sought an end to the operation of the San Roque Saw Mill where illegal activities are allegedly taking place.

“The NGOs and the Church can only do so much regarding the environment. We have other things to attend to. If only the DENR is serious in its job, the San Roque Saw Mill should have been closed and there will be no more logs cut outside the designated areas because illegal logs could not pass through the designated checkpoints,” he said in his letter.