Timber poaching as poll money

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Nabas, Aklan- A German-funded Philippine Endangered Species and Conservation Project (PESCP) based in nearby Pandan, Antique had asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate sightings of illegal timber poaching and kaingin (slash and burn) inside the protected area in Sitio Manalaysay, Barangay Tagarorok, Nabas.

In a letter addressed to Lormelyn Estrada Claudio, executive director of the DENR, PESCP manager Thomas Kuenzel a German national reported the findings which are seven illegally-cut Red lawaan trees which are considered 200 years of age.

"Another set of ten trees were obviously uprooted by the last typhoon, and three of them already sliced by the (unidentified) illegalists," said Kuenzel.

All in all, the cut trees were estimated to reached 5,373 board feet.

It was gathered that the PESCP suspect that some of the transported cut trees were brought to nearby Boracay Island for sale in the constructions of establishments in the said resort island.

"This is another serious steps towards the destruction of the forest of the protected area of the Northwest Panay Peninsula, and we, PESCP, are convinced that this is the result of having politicians who do not show any political will to protect the forest in the protected area. Such huge number of trees can only be cut down by illegalists because nobody cares," Kuenzel said.

"Some of the officials in Nabas must be deeply ashamed if there is any rest of dignity left with them what we doubt. It is these people who are in power who are allowing (knowingly or just ignorant) the destruction of the environment thereby destroying the future of their own children-this is disgusting," he added.

The PESCP said, they had also monitored several slash and burn activity in Nabas and the local government could not enforce its will to stop this illegal activity.