DENR padlocks 95 sawmills in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – At least 95 illegal sawmills were padlocked by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Caraga region as part of its intensified campaign against illegal logging.

DENR-Caraga regional executive director Leonardo Sibbaluca said DENR personnel also confiscated 65 wood processing machines and tools including belt conveyors, steel band saw frames, blades, ply wheels and chain saws.

Records at the DENR-Caraga also showed that 68 cargo vehicles carrying illegal logs and lumber were confiscated as of last May.

Sibbaluca said 429,539 board feet of hot lumber were seized by his men since Jan. 4, 2011.