DENR-Bikol Earned Over P12M in 2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 2- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bikol generated some P12.09 million last year from various permits, rentals and administrative fees.

Of the amount generated, P8.86 million were collected by the Land Management Service (LMS) while P3.23 million were collected by the Forest Management Service (FMS), according to the DENR 2009 annual report.

The amount generated and collected were in the form of rentals for the use of foreshore areas, public lands, forest lands and administrative fees such as application, registration, oath, permit, certification, authentication, field verification, inventory and inspection.

The revenue generated in last year was P5.04 million more than the collection made in 2008.

In 2008, the LMS generated P4.7 million and the FMS collected P2.3 million or a total of P7.05 million.

Meanwhile, some P2 million worth of illegal forest products were confiscated in Bikol last year, the DENR year-end report said.

DENR authorities here said this was due to the strict campaign against illegal logging which resulted in the apprehension and confiscation of 200.109 cubic meters of forest products consisting of round logs, flitches and lumber worth about P2.23 million and 42 conveyances and 11 chainsaws used in the illegal trade.

At least 15 cases were files in various courts for violation of Section 68 and 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705 known as the Forestry Code of the Philippines, during the same period.

Forest protection and anti-illegal logging campaign has been continuously pursued in order to preserve and protect the region's remaining forestlands, according to DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada.

"This function has been institutionalized as a shared responsibility among the local government units, law enforcement agencies, peoples organizations, Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committees (MFPCs), civic groups and concerned individuals making the strategy more effective than ever," Fragada said.

He said the strict implementation of forest laws and regulations is based on the assumption that anyone who destroys the environment violates the law and the rights of people to a healthy environment and therefore should be meted with appropriate punishment. (PNA)

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