Bauko sets strict laws vs illegal logging after bocap, 4 others nabbed

BAUKO, Mountain Province – Officials here, alarmed by illegal logging activities, have mapped plans to stop destruction of forests of this town where most headwaters of three major systems in the region like the Chico River emanate

This, after a village official and four other persons were arrested for illegal cutting of pine trees in over six hectares of land here in Sitio Baan last week.

Barangay Balintaugan councilman Carlos Combisen, Ariel Bomogao, Jerry Padingil, Joel Padingil and William Daping were arrested in Barangay Balintaugan May 7.

At least five dump trucks were used to haul the illegally cut trees worth P500,000, Senior Supt. Cornelio Comila, Mountain Province police director, said Tuesday.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it took three days for government foresters and police operatives to finish hauling the fallen and sawn pine trees.

Following this, the 22 barangays captains of this municipality met with re-electionist Mayor Abraham B. Akilit and agreed on strict measures to stop illegal logging.  

Bila barangay captain CalixtoGamlosen reminded his fellow barangay captains of their indigenous duty as stewards of land and resources.

He urged that the practice of “inayan” should be practiced in protecting he environment. Inayan is the indigenous principle of criticizing and prohibiting harmful deeds to common good and unity.

Akilit required barangay officials to craft programs on environment and watershed protection the soonest to avoid repetition of the same incident.

He also called attention and cooperation of BantayGubat and Environment personnel on implementation of Executive Order 23 (nationwide log ban) of President Aquino and for specific actions on illegal logging.

The barangay captains agreed on strict implementation of local laws like

wood should only be for housing purposes among locals of the barangays and strictly not for sale or commercial purposes.

Permission of the barangay captain should be sought for logging plans on housing purposes with the former validating and endorsing processes for permission to log.

Cultural needs for death, weddings and emergency situations are recognized and allowed with restrictions and;

Others: observance of the tree planting ordinance, creation and institutionalization of anti-illegal logging teams, crafting and implementation of no forest fire policies,

crafting with assistance of DENR of  a forest management plan and incorporation of the traditional watershed management practices.

“The mountain and the trees give water, water gives life to our plants and animals which make water is life, by guarding the forests including lives within it is guarding life,” Akili said. “We owe to our children to protect the forest for their future”.

Bauko is 17,819.04 hectares in land area. Some 3,307.28 hectares are forested areas while 6,074.63 hectares are gracing and pasture sites. Bauko hosts the eastern Kalawitan Mountain, Mount Am-o, Timmakudo Mountain, Nentingli, Mount Sesekan, Mount Data National Park and other smaller mountains that support the Agno, Chico and Abit rivers. -- With a report from ArseniaAddon