PCA to coconut lumber cutters: Beware!

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
December 15, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) through their Samar field office sternly warned illegal cutters of coconut lumber as monitoring has been intensified due to the declining coconut production.

On December 9, 2008, two barangay folks from Barangay Tenani, Paranas, Samar while riding in a PUJ with some 650 board foot of coconut lumber were intercepted by no less than the Catbalogan City PNP Chief Ramil Ramirez.

The coconut lumber worth P5,000 were confiscated.

The owners identified as Maria Rodina and Elmer Igdalino admitted that they did not have the proper documents or permit to transport and even cut them. They alleged that they did try to secure permit from PCA but the authorized office did not have receipts yet.

All they wanted was for their kids to be able to attend the Christmas parties, so they tried to chainsaw the tree which they claimed were being swept away by the overflowing Olot River. They denied cutting the trees and claimed there were still many of them which were eroded and are being swept by the running water.

Laureano Verdeflor from PCA denied their accusation that PCA does not have receipts, Verdeflor said that most cutter would secure permit even if the cutting has been done. He added that the folks do the  ‘shortcut’ in getting easy money.

The PUJ used was impounded for sometime but released when the driver executed an oath of undertaking that they had no involvement in the cutting of the coconut trees.

The two Tenani folks received a mouthful of lecture from both PNP and PCA and were sternly warned that if ever they repeat the same offense, violation of Republic Act 8048 also known as Coconut Preservation Act of 1995, they will be meted the full fore of the law.

PCA warned the public sternly to abide by the rules or face penalties or even imprisonment.

Verdeflor reminded those who wish to cut trees to get the necessary application for permit to cut trees, Tax Declaration of the Land where the coconut is located, Deed of Undertaking, certification from the Barangay Chairman or the President of a small Cococnut Farmers Organization, the same will also be published for 15 days and the Coconut Development Officer (CDO) inspection report