Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje today relieved 30 officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their alleged failure to stop illegal logging.

“It’s been a year and four months since President Aquino ordered a logging ban, yet we continue to receive reports of log confiscations in thousand pieces,” Paje said.

Paje identified the relieved regional officials as follows: Region 13 Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca and Region 11 Executive Director Jim Sampulna; Region 13 Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Forestry Musa Saruang, Region 11 RTD for Forestry Hardinado Patnugot, and Region 11 Forest Resources Conservation Division OIC chief Claudio V. Jumao-as.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) – Agusan del Norte Rosendo Asunto, PENRO-Agusan del Sur Belo Udarbe and PENRO-Surigao del Sur Domingo Cabrera, Jr.

PENRO-Davao del Norte Marcia Isip, PENRO Davao Oriental Gregorio Lagura, and PENRO-Compostela Valley Julius Valdez.

Also sacked were Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO)-Butuan City/Nasipit Vicente Sembrano, CENRO-Tubay/Cabadbaran Elvin Indig, CENRO-Bayugan Ruel Efren, CENRO-Bunawan Jerome Tadem, CENRO-Loreto Alberto Bacanaya, CENRO-San Francisco Marlon Gelingo, CENRO-Talacogon Eufracio Subayno; CENRO- Cantilan Mario Tioaquen, CENRO-Bislig Ferdinand Alba, CENRO-Lianga Jose Mario Reyes, and CENRO-Tandag Rogelio Montenegro.

CENROs from Region 11 who were likewise relieved of their posts were CENRO-Davao City (West) Napoleon Paje, Davao City (East) Melchor Ozaraga, CENRO-Baganga Robinson Camacho, CENRO-Lupon Basilio Caralos, CENRO-Mati Restituta Dime, CENRO-Manay Dioscor Gavarra, CENRO-Maco Marvin Parilla, CENRO-Monkayo Victor Billones, and CENRO-Nabunturan Antonio Inguillo.

President Aquino in February 2011 issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting or harvesting of timber in natural and secondary forests nationwide. Under the order, an anti-illegal logging task force was likewise created to ensure the successful implementation of the logging ban, comprising of the secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, chief of the Philippine National Police, with the DENR secretary as chairman.

Paje said the relief of the officials is part of the continuing effort in pursuit of good governance in DENR.

As of May 2012, a total of 32 employees were dismissed/suspended, 34 were charged of various offenses, while 176 were under investigation.

use of state-of-the art technology such as satellite mapping and internet-based technology through NGP’s website at the www.ngp.denr.gov.ph