With its natural beauty under assault by men out to earn a fast buck, it won't be long when Bilar's fabled man-made forest will lose its allure to tourists who have come to appreciate its endearing charm. Nature lovers, plain tourists and ordinary folks never fail to notice the ingenuity and industry of man who thought of planting trees in symmetrical formation resulting in what is now known as man-made forest. Considered as a tourism jewel in that part of Bilar town, and in fact a poster model for everything beautiful that Bohol is, the full grown trees adorned a zigzag road leading to the town proper. Indeed it was a beauty to behold until recently when reports reaching The Post indicating that it has become the object of illegal logging for furniture purposes. Sought for his reaction Police Supt. Joie Pacito Yape Jr., police community relations officer and PNP information officer, said the provincial police would look into the reported illegal logging activity. “We will investigate into this matter,” Yape said in a phone interview. “We will also ask the DENR about the issue,” he added.

Yape said there are police rangers assigned in the area who are supposed to help safeguard the bounties of Bilar's man-made forest. The Post had tried but failed to contact Bilar Mayor Norman Palacio for comments. Also, last night provincial environment officer Nestor Canda's mobile phone was unreachable. The source said the forest is facing fast denudation since illegal logging in that area has been committed with impunity by enterprising individuals without regard to fatal effects of environmental destruction. In no small number of trees, illegal loggers continue to massacre the trees in Bilar town right near the famous, cold national highway where giant trees are lining up in all their majesty and glory. Ruthless loggers, according to reports, have been salivating to make money out of the giant trees in Bilar when supply of wood is scant in the wake of natural calamities that hit Bohol last year. A picture of log haulers was leaked to the Post yesterday after it made rounds in social media sites, and it became clear to netizens that if a picture paints a thousand words, then the case of illegal logging in Bilar's man-made forest is an open scandal.

Netizens have also reacted to the massive cutting of trees in Bilar by one furniture maker from Loboc town, who according to reports has been “raping” the forest while local officials and provincial authorities in the province have been focusing their efforts in the Bohol rehabilitation program due to the devastations brought about by the Oct. 15 earthquake and the Nov. 8 super typhoon Yolanda. “Boholanos must be vigilant against illegal activities which could endanger the welfare of our environment and heritage,” said one Facebook member who goes by the name “National Museum Bohol.” “Document and report any illegal activities like illegal harvest of our natural resources ( land, water ), treasure hunting, robbery, smuggling and illegal trade of our cultural Properties. Report any observed activities which could damage our built heritage which was declared national cultural treasure, landmark and important cultural properties,” the FB member urged.

NATIONAL PARK UNDER THREATS OF DESTRUCTION

Signed on April 23, 2000, then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada declared “Rajah Sikatuna National Park consisting of a parcel of land situated in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sierra Bullones, Garcia Hernandez, Valencia, Dimiao, Bilar and Batuan, Province of Bohol, as Protected Area under the category of Protected Landscape, subject to private rights and without prejudice to the rights of the Indigenous People as provided for in Republic Act No. 8371, DENR Administrative Order No. 93-02.”

The man-made forest in Bilar is part of the Rajah Sikatuna National Park.

Reacting to the illegal logging in Bilar, another FB commenter said: “Remember the real value of a tree is not based on the price per board feet but what it gives us the fresh oxygenated air we breathe, the cooling effect by airconditioning of our surroundings, water retention, soil preservation, home and shelter of creatures, prevention of desertification, and provision of food and natural medicines.” Then he added: “Hope we can educate a lot of people especially the children the real value of a tree. A big tree for example as big as an acacia tree at our Rizal Park in front of the capitol and cathedral, is only worth around P80,000 in lumber but its real value as mentioned above with its true benefits is at least P8 million. So before cutting trees consider these facts.”