Iwahig reactivates task force vs. illegal logging & kaingin

Iwahig Prisons and Penal Farm (IPPF) reactivated the “Iwahig Task Force” in collaboration and with help of other government agencies under the leadership of Corrections Superintendent Raul Levita.

Its primary goal is to address the perennial problem of IPPF against illegal activities such as ‘kaingin’ making and logging of the forest trees.

Corrections Superintendent Raul Levita told Palawan Daily in an interview, that since he assumed the position, he has been receiving reports of rampant illegal logging in Sta. Lucia and Luzviminda and there is a need for immediate action.

“Nakarating ang maraming report tungkol po sa aming kagabutan dito sa may Luzviminda at Sta. Lucia kaya nung mag-inspection ang mga tao ko, talaga pong very rampant ‘yung illegal logging at kaingin sa area,” Levita told Palawan Daily.

“Nananawagan ako sa DENR at sa tulong po nila ay muli nating binubuhay ‘yung Task Force Iwahig para pangalagaan po ‘yung kagubatan na nasasakop po ng Luzviminda at Sta. Lucia,” he added.

The total land area of Iwahig under IPPF management is roughtly 28,000 hectares with only around 280 personnel from Bureau of Corrections.

Levita said that in order to protect both the PDL and the forest, they need help from other agencies.

“Kailangan po namin ng tulong talaga and napaka-swerte po ng aking pamumuno dahil isang lapit ko lang po sa butihing Mayor natin, ang Task Force Iwahig po ay tutulungan n’ya,” said Levita.

“Parang magiging miyembro po ang city natin sa pangunguna po ni Mayor na maging miyembro ng Task Force Iwahig. And siyempre, andyan din po ang DENR, DAR, PNP, at NGOs,” he added.

The management of IPPF also appeals to the public to be more vigilant and report illegal activities happening not only inside Iwahig but also in their locality.

“Ang panawagan lang po namin, sana ang taumbayan ay tumulong din po sa amin, dahil sa history po ayon sa Water District, mula 2015 hanggang ngayon, ngayon lang lang pong 2020 nagkaroon ng magandang supply ng tubing ang Puerto Princesa sa buwan ng Abril. Ito po ay sa kadahilanang na ang tubig po ng Puerto Princesa ngayon ay dito po nanggagaling sa Iwahig kaya dapat nating mapangalagaan ang ating mga puno at kalikasan,” Levita ended.