Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday ordered three government agencies to step up their drive against illegal logging.

Aquino noted that despite the existing ban on logging in natural and residual forests, the cutting down of trees continues.

"Illegal loggers are even conspiring with some unscrupulous government officials," he said in his speech during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Aquino ordered the DENR, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to craft a program that will enable the government to apprehend more illegal loggers.

He said those who will be caught violating the ban on illegal logging should be prosecuted and jailed immediately.

Executive Order no. 23 which provided for a moratorium on logging in natural and residual forests remains in effect despite calls to have it repealed.