Photo: DENR Central Luzon
City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 3 has reaffirmed its commitment to forest protection by maintaining round-the-clock monitoring and enforcement operations throughout the Holy Week observance.
Despite the holiday, the agency remains on heightened alert against illegal forest activities, noting that some violators may attempt to take advantage of the solemn observance of Holy Week to engage in timber poaching, illegal logging, and other unlawful acts in forest areas.
To prevent this, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo has directed all Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, and DENR monitoring centers to maintain a 24/7 skeletal force to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of forest protection efforts.
“We recognize Holy Week as a sacred time of prayer and reflection for many Filipino families. However, the protection of our forests and watersheds cannot be set aside, especially during periods when illegal activities may be more likely to occur. Our personnel on skeletal duty will continue to carry out their responsibilities with sensitivity to local observances while ensuring that monitoring and enforcement remain in place,” Pablo said.
The DENR will also intensify roving patrols in identified hotspot areas, possible exit points, and market outlets for forest products, while Forest Protection Officers and Forest Rangers remain visibly deployed in strategic areas to deter illegal activities.
Pablo added that sustained vigilance is essential to protect the region’s forest resources, which play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, water supply, biodiversity, and the overall wellbeing of communities.
The DENR likewise called on local government units, community leaders, and the public to remain alert and immediately report suspicious activities that may threaten forestlands and other protected areas. (PR-DENR Central Luzon)