The province of Zamboanga del Norte, once known for its
virgin forest and lush green mountains has been the victim
of rampant logging (both legal and illegal) and extensive
“kaingin” which caused the dwindling of the
forest cover in the past years. Patches of bald areas in
the mountains are a mute testimony to the ravages of destructive
logging and farming practices.
Guided by Section 17 of the Local Government Code
of 1991, the provincial government established the Provincial
Environment and Natural Resource Council (PENRC) in October
1992 and launched the Provincial Environmental and Natural
Resource Program to protect and preserve its remaining forests
and resources. The PENRC, the management arm of the environmental
program composed of representatives from national government
agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), non-government
organizations (NGOs) and civic groups, is a distinct delivery
mechanism with two layers: 1) a policy-making body composed
of multi-sectoral representatives from government, non-government,
civic and church groups in the province; and 2) a secretariat
which serves as the implementing arm of PENRC.
The program undertakes four activities: 1) patrolling/monitoring
in forests and mining areas to check the presence of illegal
logging; 2) apprehensions/confiscations of illegal lumber/flitches
and other forest products; 3) surveillance and monitoring
of transport of forest products in 8 strategic locations
in the province; and 4) education and information drive
using a tri-media approach in the different municipalities
and barangays to educate the people on the importance of
preserving and protecting the environment.
In 17 months, the program has lessened the illegal
logging considerably. Although there are still some illegal
logging activities, these are only vestiges of what was
once a very intensive and extensive environmental epidemic.
The “kaingin system” on the other hand, was
totally eradicated in the upland areas of the province.
