MAASIN CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given a sweeping recovery and transport permit of three months so anyone can use assorted-sized lumber out of fallen, uprooted  trees, provided these were located in private or titled lands.

“This recovery and transport activities shall cover fallen/uprooted trees, both naturally growing and planted, in private or titled lands only in the typhoon ‘Odette’ affected areas identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),” the unnumbered memorandum said.

“This arrangement is effective for only three (3) months upon signing of the undersigned,” the memo specified, a copy of it marked received Feb. 7, 2022, by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

It was signed by Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, DENR undersecretary for field operations and environment, dated December 29, 2021, and addressed to the concerned regional directors and PENR officers of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and Palawan.

The existence of the memo came to light during the Kapihan sa PIA forum Wednesday, Feb. 23, when it was mentioned by Allen Cebuano, the newly-assigned PENRO of the province.

For areas in the province that are far from the DENR provincial and two field offices, Cebuano advised interested individuals to coordinate with barangay officials, stock the cut lumber in their area, inform their office, and he will send foresters to check on the wood products. 

Cebunano hinted that with their good performance and proper compliance with the guidelines and instructions stated in the memo, the three-month moratorium may be extended, “but this is only a hypothetical scenario,” he quickly added. (LDL/MMP/PIA8-Southern Leyte)