Lamitan City intensifies fight vs forest degradation

LAMITAN CITY — The local government of Lamitan City has launched a high-level campaign against illegal logging, uniting local authorities, environmental agencies, and community stakeholders to address the threat of deforestation within the city’s critical forest reserve.

Mayor Roderick H. Furigay led a crucial Anti-Illegal Logging Coordinating Meeting on Monday at Lamitan City Hall, aiming to form a unified front against environmental degradation and illegal logging activities that threaten the city’s natural resources.

Furigay said the gathering, which included police, military authorities and other government agencies, was intended to renew the city’s commitment to safeguarding its vital forest ecosystems through enhanced enforcement strategies, active community engagement and seamless inter-agency collaboration.

Discussions at the meeting centered on strengthening law enforcement, building stronger court cases against violators, and leveraging community involvement to address persistent deforestation and illegal logging inside the forest reserve.

Furigay stressed that deforestation could lead to severe environmental consequences, including soil erosion that affects water quality and local agriculture. It also increases the risk of flooding and landslides and contributes to the loss of biodiversity, as the forest is home to unique flora and fauna.