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Illegal logging cause DENR
heads reshuffle
By KIT BAGAIPO
Six key officials of the Department of nvironment and Natural
Resources (DENR) here in the province were reshuffled following
reports of unabated illegal logging in towns declared as protected
areas.
The
order came directly from Environment Secretary Lito Atienza
last Monday, giving DENR regional director Leonardo Sibaluca
72 hours to investigate the alleged cutting of trees in the
towns of Batuan, Ubay, Catigbian and municipalities within
the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape and the Bayongan Dam
watershed.
The
revamp came as a surprise to DENR officials and staff here.
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Less
than a year ago, a reshuffling of the heads of the local
DENR was made after then Sec. Angelo Reyes was informed
of the environment officials' inaction to violations
made by some resort owners in Panglao that are constructing
buildings within the 20-meter salvage zone.
PENRO
Eduardo Inting is being moved to the Cebu City office
of the deputy regional director and replaced by Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB) head Nestor Canda.
Meanwhile,
CENRO-Tagbilaran head Samuel Racho is replaced by Eusalem
Quiwag, a former land management officer of CENRO-Tagbilaran.
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CENRO-Talibon
officer-in-charge Protacio Orog was also replaced by forester
Alejandro Estopa. Orog is assigned at the PENRO office.
In
an interview with Canda, he confirmed that a team from the
regional office is in the province to investigate the reports
of illegal logging.
Canda
said he accepts the challenge of his new assignment and vowed
to implement the 20-meter public easement in coastal municipalities.
For
his part, new CENRO-Tagbilaran OIC Quiwag said the issue on
the city's drainage outfall will be among his top priorities.
He will be meeting with his staff to discuss the status of
the project and its environmental impact.
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