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KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato โ€“ The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 has reported reduced incidents of illegal logging activities in the region due to the department and its partner agenciesโ€™ heightened enforcement of environmental laws.
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DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer, the chair of the Sub-committee on Environmental Protection Pollution Control under the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RELCC), emphasized on Tuesday, October 4, during the 3rd Quarter RELCC meeting in Koronadal City, the significance of their partnership with other law enforcement agencies in protecting the environment.
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โ€œLaw enforcement is really a challenging task. Violators are always looking forward for some strategies in order to outsmart us. We cannot hide that the DENR is quite handicapped or challenged in terms of the implementation of environmental laws. Thatโ€™s why we created last year, together with our partner agencies, the Soccsksargen Environmental Protection Task Force to strengthen the enforcement of various ENR laws in the region.
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The department cited a total of 22 incidents of illicit logging regionwide on second quarter this year which is quite lesser compared to previous records.
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โ€œWe put a premium insofar as the suppression of environmental crimes. The protection or sustenance of the environment is also a way of sustaining lives. Without the environment, our existence could be at risk,โ€ RED Alicer said.
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Forester Dirie P. Macabaning, chief of the DENR-12 Enforcement Division, said that aside from illegal logging, they are also continuously monitoring the illegal trade of flora and fauna which are vital in the maintenance of balanced ecosystem. โ€œWe are constantly intensifying our monitoring efforts to restrain not only the illegal logging, but also the illicit wildlife trade. The DENR-12 also continues to heighten the public awareness in order for them to help us in environmental protection and conservation,โ€ Chief Macabaning said.