The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) of Puerto Princesa and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-CENRO has issued an advisory authorizing the Punong Barangays to take custody of all uprooted trees within their jurisdiction, in an effort to regulate illegal activities.
The advisory reminded the public of the prohibition of cutting, transporting, and selling tree logs or their sliced lumber without a permit.
The advisory was signed by the City ENRO, Atty. Carlo B. Gomez and DENR-CENR Officer Forester Felizardo Cayatoc warned the public that the acts of slicing, gathering, transporting, and selling of these logs or lumber from uprooted trees are unauthorized and therefore prohibited under existing laws.
“Ipinaalam sa publiko na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa batas ang pagtitistis, pangunguha, pagbabyahe at pagbebenta ng mga natumbang kahoy at mga sliced lumber nito, ng walang pahintulot at kaukulang permiso na nanggagaling sa mga itinakdang awtoridad o mga ahensya ng pamahalaan,” the Public Advisory reads.
Yesterday, December 28, 2021, Punong Barangay Job “Dodoy” Francisco called an assembly meeting to his constituents to inform them about the advisory. Atty. Gomez and CENRO Cayatoc attended the meeting.
During the afternoon, the DENR-CENRO, City ENRO, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) called a meeting with barangay officials of the city’s northwestern barangays held in Mini-City Hall in Barangay Macarascas. Present during the meeting were Atty. Gomez, CENRO Cayatoc and PCSDS PIO Forester Jovic Fabello.
Cayatoc informed that they already formed two teams composed of CENRO and City ENRO personnel to conduct an inventory of uprooted trees and these will be turnover to the Punong Barangay as its custodian.
The Punong Barangays as the official custodian of these uprooted trees or their sliced lumber may utilize it for the rehabilitation of damaged public infra or distribute it to families with damaged houses, with the permission of the DENR-CENRO and City ENRO.
“Ang lahat ng natumbang kahoy na dulot ng mapaminsalang Bagyong Odette ay isasailim sa kustodiya ng pamahalaang barangay. Ito ay dadaan sa proseso ng pag-imbentaryo at pagsasailalim sa kustodiya o pangangalaga ng barangay kapitan bilang official custodian upang magamit sa pagsasaayos ng mga nasirang imprastraktura o bilang tulong/ ayuda para sa pagsasaayos sa mga kabahayan ng mga lubhang apektadong pamilya maging sa mga lubhang napinsalang bahay (totally damaged) at bahagyang napinsalang bahay (partially damaged) sa nasabing barangay,” the Public Advisory reads.
Atty. Gomez explained that existing laws are still in effect, therefore systems are put in place to ensure that the distribution of these resources will be based on the City Social Welfare and Development’s (CSWDO) list of families whose houses are either partially damaged or totally damaged by Typhoon Odette.
“Kahit nasa kalamidad tayo, ang batas natin ay umiiral pa rin. Kaya magkakaroon ng imbentaryo ng mga natumbang puno at kailangan lahat naka-coordinate (sa Barangay),” Atty Gomez said.
He reminded the Punong Barangays that they are responsible and accountable for all the logs and lumber in their custody. All distribution of the tree’s sliced lumber be based on the CSWDO’s list and should properly documented.
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