KORONADAL CITY -- Some P3.2-million worth of illegally-cut forest products were seized over the last six months in the different parts of Central Mindanao (Region 12), according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office here.

Jim Sampulna, DENR-12 director, said the seizure of the forest products came as a result of civilians?vigilance and the close coordination of the agency with the police and the military in enforcing environmental laws.

DENR records showed that most of the illegal forest products came from the towns in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces.

Illegal logging was mostly rampant in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, as noted by a recent communication from Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza commending the men of DENR-12 for addressing the illegal activity in the forests of the coastal town.

Dureza urged the DENR-12 to continue its "untiring effort in the fight against the illegal cutting of trees and in monitoring the forestry law violations."

A couple of weeks ago, the DENR, backed by the military, seized some 2,147 board feet of illegally-cut timbers composed of 118 pieces of assorted yakal and lauan species, along Ticulab river in Barangay Ticulab, Maitum, Sarangani. Before that, on Aug. 30, authorities also seized in General Santos City a total of 2,662 board feet of illegal wood from Palimbang town.

These form part of the P3.2-million worth of illegal lumber seized by authorities, according to Sampulna.

He said the agency has intensified its campaign against illegal logging to prevent the further degradation of forest covers in the region.

"We are trying to do our job the best we can in coordination with other government line agencies," said Sampulna, referring to the series of trainings they provide to the military for the protection of the forests.

Sampulna said they trained 64 officers and men under the 602nd Infantry Brigade based in North Cotabato on Sept. 3.

He added that before the environment training to the men of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, they also sponsored a similar seminar to 33 soldiers under the 601st Infantry Brigade based in Malungon, Sarangani.