The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the City of San Fernando recently donated a motorized boat to the 91st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in an effort to boost patrolling and monitoring efforts in the coastal and forestland areas of Aurora. Paquito Moreno, Jr., executive director of the DENR in Central Luzon, said the P500,000 worth vessel would be supplemental in the heightened environmental protection efforts in the region, particularly in the forestland areas of Aurora, which has been considered as among the hotspot areas for illegal logging. “The turnover of this vessel to our colleagues in the Army would augment our groundworks to fulfill the marching order of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu of preventing the cutting of trees in our forests, protected areas and watersheds,” Moreno said, adding that this move would also avert unscrupulous groups from illegally transporting forest products by floating them down the river systems and other waterways.

Flora, I. O. (2022, January 11). DENR donates boat for coastal patrol. SunStar Pampanga, p. 5.