November 7, 2024, Cotabato — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 (DENR-12), through its Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Matalam, ramped up its anti-illegal logging campaign by organizing a comprehensive information drive. The event, held at Poblacion, Makilala, Cotabato, aimed to mobilize the Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Council (MFPC) and bolster local efforts to combat illegal logging and environmental degradation.
Led by CENRO’s Monitoring Enforcement Section, the campaign saw the deputation of fourteen individuals as Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Officers. Additionally, the MFPC elected a new set of officers to lead forest protection initiatives in the Municipality of Makilala. These developments signify the DENR-12’s commitment to integrating community action and inter-agency collaboration in environmental enforcement.
During the event, critical Philippine laws on environmental protection were discussed, including Presidential Decree No. 705, known as the Revised Forestry Code, which outlines measures to prevent unlawful logging and deforestation. Other laws covered were Republic Act (RA) 9175, the Chainsaw Act, which regulates chainsaw ownership and use; RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; and RA 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Participants also reviewed rules and procedures for filing complaints on environmental concerns, managing cases, and navigating legal frameworks related to forest conservation.
The discussion further included specific DENR Administrative Orders such as DAO 2020-18, which promotes sustainable tree plantation development and the transport of tree derivatives, and DAO 2003-24, which reinforces chainsaw regulations. Together, these laws and orders provide a robust legal foundation for forest protection and community-led conservation efforts.
A critical element of the information drive involved the Manual of Operating Procedure (MOP) for the MFPC, focusing on evaluating the council’s current strategies and enhancing collaborative actions for forest protection. The MFPC, a multi-sectoral local forest protection body, plays a crucial role in safeguarding natural resources and is a key partner for the DENR-12 in enforcing anti-illegal logging laws and conservation efforts.
By engaging local stakeholders and equipping them with knowledge on forest protection laws and processes, DENR-12 and CENRO Matalam continue to strengthen the framework for sustainable forest management in Cotabato, fostering community vigilance and environmental stewardship across the region.
