DENR to strictly monitor logging of edible-fruit bearing trees

By Eric Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 13 said Wednesday the agency will strictly monitor transport of edible-fruit bearing trees in the region to prevent commercial logging of these species.

In a radio interview, Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo said the agency agency has found that more fruit trees are being harvested in the region. He also said some DENR personnel were lax in manning checkpoints.

During an on-the-spot inspection in a highway in Agusan del Sur, Tamayo found truckers lacked documentation in transporting freshly cut lumber of fruit-tree species. Among the missing document was a written transport agreement between the driver and the truck owner to prove the latter's consent in transporting the tree product.

There was also no hatchet mark made by DENR personnel on edible fruit trees to determine its origin.

The other requirements, he said, are contained in the DENR Administrative Order No. 18 issued on May 25,1994 by then Secretary Angel C. Alcala. The policy states that unauthorized cutting within forest lands of certain edible fruit-bearing trees/shrubs is prohibited. Likewise, it is also prohibited, unless authorized under a permit issued by the Secretary or his authorized representative to “cut, detroy, damage or injure of naturally growing or planted tree along roads in land sudivision or areas therein”.

Among the edible-fruit trees covered by the order are Eugenia Spp.( Tampoy, Makopa, Yambu, etc. ) , Euporia didyema (Alupag), E. Gracelis ( Boboa) , Mangosteen, Pili, Balobo, Baluno, Bulala, Gumihan, Marang, Nanka or Langka, Lanzones, Kamagong or Mabolo, Apupag-amo, Paho or Pahutan, Guava or Bayabas, Durian or Durian and other fruits of which can be used as foods for human being and wildlife.

Director Tamayo said the policy seeks to attain the objective of protection of the environment and maintenance of a desirable ecosystems balance; provide edible fruits for the consumption or enjoyment of the citizenry as well as food for wildlife and curtail the proliferation of unauthorized cutting of edible fruit-bearing trees. (PIA Central Newsdesk/NCLM/DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)