DENR renews warning vs wood charcoal making

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LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has warned anew the public not to engage in charcoal making out of wood and trading for which violate Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

DENR Bicol regional executive director Gilbert Gonzales said the DENR field offices in the region noted the rampant production of wood charcoal in some areas while many violators of PD 705 have been apprehended by his field personnel and cooperating law enforcers.

Under the decree, anybody caught cutting, gathering, collecting or removing wood from alienable or disposable lands or even private property without the necessary permit or authorization from concerned government entities will be imposed the penalty of qualified theft.

"Those who want to engage in charcoal making and transporting, he advised, may get a permit from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in their respective areas," he said.

The only charcoal material to be allowed is coconut shell which also abounds in the region. Gonzales added that anybody found in possession of the charcoal in sacks will be considered as the guilty person.

He also warned that wood charcoal traders will also face government sanctions if found transacting business.

All confiscated charcoal and the vehicle transporting it will be placed under government custody, undergo administrative confiscation proceedings and face a criminal case in the court.

Gonzales added that wood charcoal production is directly associated with deforestation because of the impression that much of the volume of charcoal used are still sourced from the forests. – MANNY P. SOLIS