An Assessment of the Anti-illegal Logging Law

Abstract

The Anti-Illegal Logging Law is inefficient in stopping illegal logging. The case of Aurora and Quezon tragedy and the confiscation of lumber in Southern Leyte is a case of res ipsa loquitur (these things speak for itself, it is too obvious that illegal logging is rampant. Although efforts in the strict implementation is observed, factors that hinders its implementation in stopping illegal logging like the TLAs, IFMA, IPRA, the social condition of the people who are unemployed, the persons in position who serve as financiers to illegal logging activities and the lack of forest personnel contributes to its ineffectiveness. For the proper implementation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Law, we should address the issue on unemployment. Stricter implementation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Law and monitoring of logging concessions should be done. The government should allocate additional budget to the Forestry Management Bureau to be able to hire more foresters or forest rangers to guard the forestlands and to be able to fund forestry projects. A much heavier penalty in terms of sanctions especially when it resulted to death of so many people should be implemented.