forested area. The local government has set up checkpoints in the town's entry and exit points to monitor transport of endangered teak trees, wild boar (alingo) and deer that roam the mountains.

Families affected by the ban have been tapped in a massive production of forest tree seedlings "to help them realize our advocacy," the mayor said.

Supnet said varieties grown in the town's nurseries are mahogany, narra, gmelina and teak.

The local government has also created its version of the Task Force Bantay Kalikasan to watch over the town's resources.

The environmental watchdog is composed of local officials and representatives from the villages of San Macario Norte, San Macario Sur, Cacandungan, Batchelor East, Salud, San Eugenio, San Miguel and Calapugan.

Michael Sevilla, task force chair, said the families affected by the charcoal production ban were initially disgruntled by the move.

"But through [the continuous] information campaign since January, residents are now educated about the importance of forest management," Sevilla said.