By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) assured the public that there are no illegal logging activities inside the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP), especially in the areas belonging to the third district.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, PENRO head Eduardo Rostata said the claims made by netizens that the recent flooding experienced in the district can be blamed on illegal logging are mere speculations only and don’t have any basis.

Rostata said his office is very strict on implementing the forestry laws, and forest rangers are regularly patrolling the areas, especially in the area of Victorias City, wherein their rangers are receiving additional support from the local government unit.

He further pointed out that if there are any illegal logging activities in the area, then huge tree trunks should have been spotted during the flash floods on New Year’s Day and on January 8.

Rostata advised the public to be more disciplined and responsible when it comes to taking care of the environment as well as following the policies which would maintain it.

Earlier this month, the third district was hit hard by a series of flash floods which killed at least three people and displaced more than 70,000 individuals.

An estimated P85 million worth of crops, fishery, and livestock were also lost and over a thousand homes were either damaged or destroyed./DGB, WDJ