BORONGAN, eastern Samar – The Union of Local Authorities off the Philippines (ULAP) branded as “irresponsible” the charges that local officials are involved in illegal logging.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben P. Evardone, president and spokesman of ULAP, respectively, condemns the “sweeping accusations” of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago that local officials are behind illegal logging activities.

Aumentado and Evardone said they welcome any investigation that will be conducted on the issue ‘to settle the issue once and for all.”

Evardone said their group has even adopted measures to protect the environment “because we owe it to the people and the next generations.’

Aumentado said “we are in fact committed to support all efforts of the national government to curb illegal logging.

Evardone, who is on his first term as governor, said he has inherited the problem of denuded forests.

“All I know is that illegal logging activities have been very rampant in the 50s and 60s,’ he said.

Aumentado and Evardone, however, said that all responsible for the denudation of our forests should face the full force of the law.

Earlier, Sen. Santiago accused several senators of illegal logging activities.

However, this was denied by the local officials named by Sen. Santiago .