Bulacan tightens logging, quarrying

THE Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro) has set up nine checkpoints to curb illegal quarry operations and apprehend illegal loggers.

Benro head Atty. Julius Victor Degala said these checkpoints will also help protect the interests of quarry operators who have the necessary documents and permits.

The Benro office also created a roving team to watch checkpoints outside regular office hours.

"The overloaded trucks are also the reason why provincial roads are damaged," Degala said.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando clarified that quarrying is still permitted in the province and provides jobs for Bulakenyos.

"But we need to go after the illegal ones," the governor said.

Since the governor's first term in 2019, Benro has monitored and patrolled 468 illegal logging reports, monitored and investigated 181 quarry and mining concerns, checked 35,494 vehicles for accreditation stickers, and collected 128,551 pieces of delivery receipts and transport slips.

Degala also said that despite the lockdowns and the rise in prices of petroleum products, the collection from fines of trucks is still the same and that these fines go straight to the capitol because their office issues official receipts from the Provincial Treasurer's Office.

Source: TheManila Times