Cagayan gov to form task force vs illegal logging

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Cagayan governor Alvaro Antonio is set to form a task force to combat the illegal logging activities in the province, particularly along the Sierra Madre mountain range. Antonio said he has decided to form the task force after reports reached him that some influential and top level personalities are behind the illegal logging activities in Cagayan. He however declined to give out names pending a thorough investigation on the reports. Recently, the provincial board unanimously passed on first reading the banning of all trucks loaded with lumber passing through checkpoints after 5 p.m. The Sierra Madre mountain range traverses the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya down to Isabela and stretching towards Cagayan. It remains to be the one of the country’s remaining heavily forested areas but is widely threatened by uncontrolled logging activities. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV