BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has lifted the suspension of issuance of certificates of chainsaw registration.

DENR Enforcement Division Chief Joel Daquioag said all Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenros) have resumed accepting applications for the processing and issuance of certificates of chainsaw registration.

Daquioag also noted that most of the issued certificates of chainsaw registration in 2020 have already expired, leaving only at least 300 registered chainsaws to date. He also led chainsaw monitoring and assessment for the region.

In December 2020, DENR Region 2 executive director Gwendolyn Bambalan issued a memorandum directing all Cenros to suspend the issuance of chainsaw registration due to the alarming increase in the number of chainsaws registered considering that Region 2 has down to a million hectares of forest cover.

She said there was a need to momentarily suspend the issuance of certificates of registration or permits to use chainsaws as it is seen as the major source and avenue of illegal forest activities.

Cagayan Valley, which comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and the island province of Batanes, has a total land area of over 2.6 million hectares which consists of over 1.7 million hectares of forest land with a forest cover of more than one million hectares, which is so far the largest forest cover in the Philippines.

To regulate the use of chainsaws, Bambalan ordered the Cenro officers to strictly exercise due diligence in the processing and issuance of certificates of chainsaw registration.

Citing Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2003-24 or the "Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Chainsaw Act of 2002," Daquioag said chainsaw owners are allowed to register to include the holder of a subsisting timber license agreement or any qualified lease agreement and tenurial instrument granted by the government.

Also qualified to apply for chainsaw registration are orchard or fruit tree farmers, industrial tree farmers, licensed wood processors, and anyone who shows satisfactory proof that the possession or use of a chainsaw is for legal purpose, he added.

Daquioag also explained that government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations that use chainsaws in some aspects of their functions such as road widening, rehabilitation, and disaster preparedness activities are also qualified for registration.

He also cited the new classification of chainsaws which are also subject to registration based on DAO 2018-09 or Amending Administrative Order 24, series of 2003, Implementing Republic Act 9175, known as the "Chainsaw Act."

Daquioag said these are portable rotary lathe, mobile or portable band saw, wood mizer, mobile or portable wood chipper, or wood edger, and any portable power saw or similar cutting implement rendered operative by an electric or internal combustion engine.

The DENR has directed all Cenro officers to strictly monitor the use of chainsaws and to submit monthly reports of registered chainsaws to the regional office for monitoring purposes.

Daquioag said applicants will be carefully evaluated to regulate the issuance of certificates of chainsaw registration which is a document that authorizes the use of said equipment during tree harvesting.