The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) sought the assistance of police in Bohol municipalities in the agency’s bid to stamp out illegal logging of coconut trees.

Emiliano Romero, manager of PCA Bohol, appealed to police in various towns to intensify its monitoring against illegal loggers, which he hopes would lead to arrests.

Romero admitted in an interview with DYRD Balita that illegal cutting of coconut trees remains rampant in the province.

He said that the PCA does not have enough personnel to conduct anti-illegal logging operations which would cover the entire province.

The official urged police authorities manning checkpoints to immediately report trucks transporting coconut trees without permits so the PCA could immediately take action against the illegal loggers.

Despite the strict of implementation of laws on illegal logging of coconut trees, many still continue to conduct the activity.

However, there have been no reported cases of widespread illegal cutting of coconut trees in the province.

According to Romero, most illegal logging cases involve cutting a number of trees exceeding what is indicated in loggers’ permits.

This year, caught illegal loggers in Bohol have been obligated to pay fines at the PCA office.

Romero said that penalties for illegal logging could costs offenders up to P17,000.

He then reminded loggers that permits are a chief requirement in logging of coconut trees even if it only involves cutting a single tree. (Allen Doydora)

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