CAPIZ – Environmental authorities in this province confiscated a total of 900 bamboo poles valued at approximately P31,500 in Sigma town.
The said operation was carried out by a composite team of Monitoring and Enforcement Section (MES) of the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) – Mambusao, Sigma Municipal ENRO under MENR Officer Ernesto Gicalde and the Sigma Municipal Police Station on February 4.
According to CENR Officer Gregoria D. Alenaje of CENRO Mambusao, they received a report from Sigma MENRO on the alleged illegal transport of bundled bamboo poles using rafts and floated through the waters of Mambusao River.
Upon reaching the area, the team said the alleged violator presented a photocopy of a Certificate of Bamboo Plantation Registration (No.CBPO-MAM-0517-23-015). However, he failed to provide an authenticated copy of the certificate indicating the date of transport – a requirement stipulated under Section 11 of DAO 2021-26 or “The Rules and Regulations Governing the Establishment, Harvesting, and Transport of Bamboo.”
It was later discovered that the payment receipt date for the Certificate of Bamboo Plantation Registration is originally May 23, 2023 but had been tampered with. Thus, the bamboo poles were apprehended.
A corresponding apprehension receipt was issued to the alleged perpetrator with copies provided to Sigma MENRO, Sigma police and the barangay officials of Poblacion Sur, Sigma.
However, due to time constraints and challenges in hauling the bamboo poles, the MES team, in coordination with barangay officials, police and MENRO, agreed to defer the hauling.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Capiz remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and regulations to protect the provinces natural resources. Investigations into this matter are to be scheduled soonest to ensure accountability and compliance with environmental policies./PN
