IRIGA CITY –- Another group of businessmen here had decided to quit while others moved to different locations after Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen declared a total log ban in an effort to curb the unabated cutting of trees, particularly in mountain villages.

        Reports reached Bicol Mail revealed that this new batch of disgruntled businessmen were coco lumber dealers whose applications for renewal of their business permits were thumbed down by the city government following reports that they were selling illegally acquired coco trees.

        Alfelor-Gazmen had to take such drastic move to save Mt. Iriga from further deterioration as soil erosions and landslides have been noted recently which resulted to flashfloods in low-lying areas everytime heavy rains take place.

        Earlier, police authorities here arrested and charged a certain Nachor Amoroso of San Ramon, this city, for violation of Republic Act 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.

        The raid at Amoroso’s residence carried out by PNP-Iriga personnel led by Superintendent Tomasito Clet and Brgy. San Ramon officials last January 14 yielded some 2,130 board ft. of finished coco lumber and an unregistered chainsaw.

        Prior to the suspects arrest, authorities have been receiving reports that shortly after the region was hit by strong typhoons during last quarter of 2006, cutting of trees, specifically coconut, became rampant and unabated in mountain villages such as San Ramon, Niño Jesus, Antipolo and Santiago.

        The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) recently reported that Camarines Sur was ranked second among the Bicol provinces that had the most number of coconut trees cost last year, next only to the province of Albay.

        In a recent radio interview, Alfelor Gazmen revealed that an estimated 30 to 40 trucks of coco lumber were successfully transported to unknown destinations by unscrupulous local businessmen.

        “We’ve tried to exhaust all possible solutions to curb this illegal activity, but the people are so stubborn”, the Lady Mayor said as she vowed to file appropriate charges against the culprits, “no matter who they are, even political allies or not.”

        A number of videoke bar and nite club owners took the first exodus when Alfelor-Gazmen ordered them to get rid of their guest relations officers (GRO) as part of the city’s so-called character city program.