The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has assured the public that no tree removal activity is being authorized without a strict legal basis, environmental safeguards, and long-term rehabilitation measures, amid concerns surrounding the Berong Nickel Project in Palawan and recent tree-cutting issues along Quirino Avenue.

Recently, the DENR came under criticism from several groups over tree-cutting activities tied to various projects, including the Berong Nickel Project in Palawan and the Quirino Avenue issue.

In a statement released on Monday, May 25, the DENR said the Berong Nickel Project’s Tree Cutting and Earth-Balling Permit authorized the cutting of 26,617 trees and the earth-balling and transplanting of 43,743 saplings.

However, the agency stressed that the cutting activities “will not occur in one instance.”

“It will be implemented in phases, and each phase will proceed simultaneously with the planting of replacement trees to ensure continuous ecological recovery,” the agency said.

Per DENR, the project carries “one of the highest mitigation standards in the country,” including a mandatory replacement ratio of 100 indigenous seedlings for every tree authorized for cutting.

The agency said this is equivalent to an estimated minimum of 2,661,700 seedlings consisting of indigenous and mangrove species such as Pagatpat, Api-api, and other DENR-approved native species suitable for rehabilitation activities in the area.

“Beyond planting, the proponent is required to maintain all planted seedlings for at least three (3) years to ensure survival and successful establishment, and to continue long-term protection and stewardship of the rehabilitated areas thereafter,” the DENR stated.

The agency added that the company must also engage local communities and families in planting, maintenance, and protection activities, subject to DENR validation before payments are released.

“The company must also engage local communities and families to carry out planting, maintenance, and protection activities—subject to DENR validation before any payment is released to the community to ensure transparency, quality of work, and community benefit,” it added.

The DENR further said the project is required to maintain 20-meter buffer zones along rivers and waterways, rehabilitate non-minable and protection areas, submit geo-tagged monitoring reports, and comply with strict monitoring protocols.

The monitoring activities, it said, are being conducted by DENR professional foresters and supported by a Multipartite Monitoring Team composed of government agencies, local government units, communities, and civil society groups.

“These safeguards—similar to the strict conditions imposed in the Quirino Avenue case—ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term ecological recovery,” the DENR said.

The agency also assured the public that it is “closely supervising every phase of the activity and enforcing all safeguards.”

“Our priority is to protect communities, uphold the law, and ensure that the environment gains more than it loses,” the DENR said.

“We ask for the public’s calm and continued engagement as we carry out our mandate with transparency and care,” it added.