By GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City — Mayor Juancho Alvarez of Ajuy, Iloilo will spearhead the investigation on the alleged illegal logging in Barangay Luca.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said Alvarez had already informed him about the alleged illicit activity and vowed to look into it.
“Mayor Alvarez will see to it that the law will be enforced and those responsible will be penalized,” said the governor.
Defensor also expressed confidence that Alvarez will be able to contain the activity in a timberland area, considering that he is just as passionate as he is when it comes to protecting forests.
The barangay council of Luca recently passed Resolution 2014-17 seeking the governor’s intervention to save the timberland that covers about 1 to 2 hectares of land, particularly in Sitio Pulacan West.
Barangay Captain Renato Mahanlud disclosed that a certain Cacho was leading the illegal logging activity in the area.
Their operations, according to Mahanlud, started even before super typhoon “Yolanda” struck northern Iloilo.
They have direct buyers in Ajuy and Metro Manila, he added.
Mahanlud alleged that some 100 trees had already been cut and converted into lumber./PN
