Illegal logging on Palaui Island probed

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has initiated an inquiry into the reported illegal logging at a protected area in Santa Ana town in Cagayan.

Last Friday, deputy CEZA administrator Julian Gonzales said at least 13,000 board feet of illegally cut timber such as narra, kamagong and mahogany were recently found abandoned in Sitio Aguab on Palaui Island.

Gonzales said the find confirmed reports that illegal logging is being done at the island, which has been declared as one of the country’s protected areas.

“CEZA is very much alarmed by this illegal activity inside the island, considering it is a government-protected area,” he said.

The illegally cut forest trees, Gonzales said, were turned over to the community environment and natural resources office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Aparri town.  

He expressed fears that such activity has long been in existence, endangering the rare flora and fauna on the island.

Palaui was adjudged last year by the US-based Cable News Network (CNN), as among the world’s 100 most beautiful islands and beaches for its white sand, volcanic rocks and blue-green water.

Ranked 10th on the CNN list, the island is managed by CEZA and the DENR’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

Gonzales said they have called on the PAMB, which has control over the protection of the island, to investigate the illegal activity and to determine the persons behind it.

The Santa Ana town council, he said, has passed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the said illegal activity.