DENR uncovers illegal mining, logging in North Cotabato town

NORTH COTABATO - Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Emmanuel Piñol ordered an investigation into illegal mining and illegal logging operations inside the Mount Apo Protected Area in North Cotabato’s Magpet town.

Piñol said he received an initial report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) saying it uncovered illegal mining and illegal cutting of hardwood trees in Mount Apo.

“I received a report that a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources uncovered illegal mining operations and cutting of hardwood inside the Mount Apo Protected Area in Barangay Don Panaca, Magpet, North Cotabato,” he said.

“The initial report also said that the poachers have started planting bananas in the areas cleared of natural growing trees. I have directed officials of the Mindanao Development Authority to coordinate with the DENR's Mines and Geosciences Bureau to get to the bottom of this,” Piñol added, saying, he will submit an official report to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Last month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered all local governments across the country to crackdown on illegal mining and illegal logging operations following the widespread flooding caused by typhoons.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said local governments and the police must prioritize the protection of the environment. “We must act quickly and in a whole-of-society fashion to protect our remaining forests across the country otherwise we are creating and causing more disasters for our country.”

“The flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses is a harsh reminder that we are failing at doing our level best to protect the environment, especially our remaining forest cover. Kayat inaatasan ko ang lahat ng PNP units at LGUs na pigilan ang illegal logging at illegal quarrying sa kanilang mga nasasakupan,” he said. (Rhod Beñez)