The Implementation of Anti-Illegal Logging Law in Eastern Visayas: An Assessment

Illegal logging contributes to conflicts with the local populations, political violence, funding armed conflicts, and worsening poverty. The main objective of this study was to determine the extent of the implementation of anti-illegal logging law in Eastern Visayas. Also, it aimed to identify the actions of the implementing agencies to the illegal logging activities and reasons why it persists. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify the eighteen forest protection officers from PENRO and CENRO of DENR and fifty-one police personnel in selected police stations. An explanatory sequential mixed method was employed in this study, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative descriptive approaches. The findings revealed that forest law enforcers implemented the anti-illegal logging law in Eastern Visayas. The study further revealed no significant difference in the perception of the forest protection officers and the police respondents regarding the implementation of anti-illegal logging law. The actions taken by the implementing agencies were in coordination with other implementing agencies, anti-illegal logging operations conducted, apprehension, confiscation of logs, wood, chainsaws, and conveyances, and appropriate charges filed towards timber poachers The reasons why the problems persist were the lack of livelihood programs, timber poaching as a regular occupation, economic and political factors, minimal penalties, inadequate manpower, and noncooperation of the community. Thus, the anti-illegal logging law should be further carried out to protect the forest and the people’s general safety. Keywords: Criminology, Anti-illegal logging law, mixed methods, Philippines