TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas has apprehended 399,341.73 board feet of logs, lumber, and timber in its efforts to combat illegal logging hotspots in the region.

Lormelyn E. Claudio, the regional executive director of the DENR-8, has reported increased efforts to enhance forest protection and address illegal logging hotspots in the region during the 8th episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, July 16.

“Through the collaborative efforts and coordination with the law enforcement agencies kasama natin diyan ang Philippine National Police, Philippine Army at pati na rin yung Philippine Coastguard, NBI and of course, the local government units, meron tayong monitoring at ini-strengthen natin talaga ito,” Claudio said.

These reported apprehensions were recorded from January 2022 to the first semester of 2024.

The Landscape and Wildlife Indicator (LAWIN) patrols had patrolled a total of 21,690.05 kilometers in different areas of the region, according to DENR.

So, gusto ko rin ipamalita na meron tayo priority program din para ma-neutralize natin yung mga illegal logging hotspots alam ko interesado kayo na malaman ito at ito nga mayroon tayong patrolling ng Lawin System inaayos natin yan at sa katunayan nga may 21, 690 kilometers na na-patrol natin dahil mayroon tayong mga tinatawag nating LAWIN patrollers,” Claudio said.

(So, I also want to announce that we have a priority program to neutralize illegal logging hotspots. I know you are interested to know this, and indeed, we have the Lawin System patrolling. We are organizing this, and in fact, we have already patrolled 21,690 kilometers with the help of our so-called Lawin patrollers.

In addition, the DENR has strengthened its collaboration with law enforcement agencies by conducting regular monitoring and continuous forest patrolling through the LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System.

This includes the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and National Bureau of Investigation, among others.

The local government units are also involved, especially the barangays, as local leaders are interested in protecting their respective barangays.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo hanggat sa barangay level. Ito ang kaigihan nito dahil alam ko ang ating mga local leaders at the barangay ay interesado din siyempre kailangan din nilang protektahan ang ating mga kagubatan,” Claudio said.

(We are coordinating down to the barangay level. This is beneficial because I know our local leaders at the barangay are also interested since they also need to protect our forests.)

A memorandum of agreement has been established between the DENR-8 and various stakeholders to reinvigorate the anti-illegal logging task force. (CBA, PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Eastern Visayas said that nine coastal areas in the region continue to be excluded from the “safe areas” list due to the presence of Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) or more known as red tide.

Based on its latest advisory issued, BFAR said that based on the seawater samples from these locations have tested positive for the harmful microorganism.

Villareal Bay, Villareal, Samar; Daram Island, Samar, Zumarraga Island, Samar; Maqueda Bay, Samar covering the towns of Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, and Hinabangan; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Samar; Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar; and the coastal waters of Calbayog City, also in Samar.
Also detected with the red tide toxin are Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar covering the municipalities of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo; and the coastal waters of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

In light of these findings, BFAR has enforced a strict prohibition on the collection, consumption, and sale of all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. (“alamang”) from these areas.

However, fish, snails, and other seafood that have scales from these waters are deemed safe for consumption, provided they are fresh, their internal organs (such as intestines) are removed, and they are thoroughly washed with running water.

Residents in these areas are urged to adhere to these guidelines to avoid health risks associated with PSP. BFAR continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary to ensure public safety.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY– Local police in San Isidro, Northern Samar, recovered approximately 8.399 kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of more than P57 million.
The discovery was made after two farmers found the illegal items inside a nipa hut at about 3:25 pm on Sunday, July 14, in Barangay San Roque in the said town.

Lt. Millen Charles-Vincent M. Reyes, town police chief, identified the two farmers who reported the find as alias “Jay’r,” 65, a widower, and alias “Albert,” 57.

In an interview, Lt. Reyes disclosed that the farmers personally appeared at their police station at about 6:45 pm on Sunday, July 14, to turn over two white transparent plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

The farmers found the bags in an abandoned and dilapidated hut near their house.
Lt. Reyes explained that after receiving the information and the items from the farmers, the police immediately proceeded to the location to verify the information and investigate further.

Upon arrival, they discovered a green sack containing six plastic bags of suspected shabu, three empty white transparent plastic bags, three empty green transparent plastic bags, and two green eco-bags.

Reyes suspects that the initial finders of the substance were unaware of its contents, as it appeared they had opened the plastic bags and poured the contents onto the ground.
However, due to continuous rain, the substances had dissolved.

The responding officers brought the recovered items to their station and conducted an inventory in the presence of the village chairman of San Roque and a representative from the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Services.

The town police chief said that they are still conducing their investigation as to why the suspected shabu were found in the area and who could be the owner/s of these illegal drugs.

During the inventory, it was confirmed that the recovered suspected shabu weighed 8.399 kilos, with an estimated street value of P57,113,200.

The items were turned over to the Northern Samar provincial police office forensic unit for further examination. (ROBERT DEJON)