Negros officials urge DENR to act on illegal logging

By Dolly Yasa

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Local officials in Negros Occidental have called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to take urgent action against illegal logging, which they say worsened flooding during Typhoon Tino on Nov. 4, 2025.

Fourth District Rep. Jeffrey “Cong. Jeff” Ferrer said Tuesday that most of the damage caused by the typhoon involved school buildings and bridges.

The Fourth District includes La Carlota City, Bago City, Pontevedra, Valladolid, and San Enrique town.

“Debris, logs, and lumber from the uplands clogged bridges, causing them to collapse and overflow into nearby barangays,” Ferrer said.

He personally inspected the affected areas, particularly Barangays RSB and DSB in La Carlota City, and described the flooding as severe.

Ferrer explained that while the bridge structure remained largely intact, the approaches were damaged and require rehabilitation.

Clearing operations are ongoing, and he has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways for infrastructure repairs.

He also discussed the restoration of power supply in affected areas.

“Many small farmers now face longer travel routes, increasing their fuel costs, but local sugar mills and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson have pledged support,” Ferrer added.

He said many displaced residents remain in evacuation centers as the local government seeks permanent relocation sites.

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo raised similar concerns, pointing to the Mount Kanlaon uplands as the source of rapid runoff that worsened flooding in her town.

She said the floods also affected La Castellana, Isabela, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, and La Carlota City.

“The floodwaters carried large logs and debris from the mountains, trapping residents—some had to climb onto their rooftops,” she said.

At the height of Typhoon Tino, Yulo urged residents via local radio to move to higher ground.

She stressed the importance of protecting the remaining forest cover.

Both Ferrer and Yulo linked the severity of the floods to environmental degradation.

Ferrer noted that landslides and fallen trees from Mount Kanlaon, possibly worsened by recent earthquakes and volcanic activity, contributed to flash floods.

“I cannot say if it was due to illegal logging or quarrying, but DENR must investigate,” he said.

Yulo echoed the call, stressing that “life cannot be replaced” and urging residents to protect trees and report illegal logging.

Ferrer also urged DENR to conduct a full inventory and inspection of upland areas and refrain from issuing Environmental Compliance Certificates to non-compliant projects.

“If tree-cutting is illegal, perpetrators should be arrested—this issue affects not only the Fourth District but all areas facing similar risks,” he said.

La Castellana Mayor Anejo Nicor and Vice Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan also called on DENR to act against illegal logging.

Mayor Nicor said that if not for a cemetery situated between the mountain and the poblacion, many houses would have been swept away and more lives lost.

The cemetery served as a natural barrier against the logs and debris rushing from the mountains.