The Philippine Coconut Authority in Negros Oriental issued a moratorium to all coconut lumber dealers, to stop cutting coconut trees starting March 10 this year, under the provision of Republic Act 8048 or the  Coconut Preservation  Act.

National administrator Oscar Garin of the PCA sent  memorandum  notices to all PCA provincial  offices, canceling all issuances of  cutting permits. 

PCA manager Brendan Trasmonte  said the moratorium  will be strictly  enforced  and  those  found violating    it will  be  penalized.

Coconut lumber dealers will surely be affected with the moratorium, Trasmonte said, adding that there are several exemptions to the moratorium.

These are typhoon damaged coconut trees  in a  declared typhoon calamity areas; trees that pose  threat and danger  to life, limb and property to the community; land authorized for conversion; and for personal use of the farmer, family or animal shed which should not exceed five trees.

Trasmonte said the purpose  of  the moratorium  is to increase coconut production and to meet the demands of the ever-increasing buyers of coconut products in the world market.

Indiscriminate and unabated cutting of coconut trees still exists in some parts of the province, Trasmonte admitted.

An estimated 5 to 10 percent of coconut lumber dealers are operating illegally. Negros Oriental has a total of 180 legitimate and registered coconut lumber dealers. 

Some local government units in  the  province  have been  strictly enforcing  the controlled  cutting  of  coconut trees. At present,  there  are  cases filed  against  illegal  cutting  of  coconut trees  in  the  municipality of  Guihulngan , Manjuyod and Bayawan City.

Trasmonte  encouraged the community  to  report  illegal  cutting of coconut trees  to  the  nearest police  station or  to  the  coconut  officers  in  the  locality.*MA                                                                                     

back to top