DENR suspends restrictions on transfer of wood and forest products
Published Apr 4, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Wood materials that are needed for the construction of facilities for coronavirus cases and transport of food products will be exempted from the government's suspension of the transfer of forest products and wildlife species nationwide.
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu
(RTVM / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said wood pallets, boxes, and crates are exempted from the suspension, citing that "transport of wood pallets, boxes, and crates is not subject to any transport permit or document from the DENR." "Considering that these wood-based forest products are used for the transport of food products that are basic requirements during this time of crisis, movement of these should not be restricted," Cimatu added. Pursuant to Section 10.2 of DENR Administrative Order No. 1994-07 or the Revised Guidelines Governing the Issuance of Certificate of Origin of Logs, Lumber, and Non-Timber Forest Products, a delivery receipt or sales invoice, and tally sheet will suffice for the transport of these products. Under the memorandum, the exempted wood products are to be sourced only from legitimate wood processing plants that operate with valid permits and are registered to produce semi-finished or finished wood pallets, boxes, or crates consistent with their respective DENR-approved current log supply inventory. The available raw materials may also be used provided these have been issued the necessary permits/transport documents prior to March 26, 2020. Falcata or Falcataria moluccana is the most commonly used tree species for making pallets, boxes, and crates. It is a fast-growing "softwood" tree, which can be harvested in just five years from planting. In a separate memorandum dated March 26, Cimatu issued a nationwide suspension on the acceptance, processing, and issuance of all transport-related permits or documents for all forest products and wildlife, except for permit to transport confiscated lumber that will be used for the construction/expansion of COVID-19 facilities. These confiscated lumber include white and red lauaan, apitong, bagtikan, toog, molave, mangkono (iron wood), narra, yakal, and kamagong. "The DENR supports the continuing and earnest work of the government to limit the movement of people and non-priority products at this time, and prevent the further spread of the virus," Cimatu said.
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu (RTVM / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said wood pallets, boxes, and crates are exempted from the suspension, citing that "transport of wood pallets, boxes, and crates is not subject to any transport permit or document from the DENR." "Considering that these wood-based forest products are used for the transport of food products that are basic requirements during this time of crisis, movement of these should not be restricted," Cimatu added. Pursuant to Section 10.2 of DENR Administrative Order No. 1994-07 or the Revised Guidelines Governing the Issuance of Certificate of Origin of Logs, Lumber, and Non-Timber Forest Products, a delivery receipt or sales invoice, and tally sheet will suffice for the transport of these products. Under the memorandum, the exempted wood products are to be sourced only from legitimate wood processing plants that operate with valid permits and are registered to produce semi-finished or finished wood pallets, boxes, or crates consistent with their respective DENR-approved current log supply inventory. The available raw materials may also be used provided these have been issued the necessary permits/transport documents prior to March 26, 2020. Falcata or Falcataria moluccana is the most commonly used tree species for making pallets, boxes, and crates. It is a fast-growing "softwood" tree, which can be harvested in just five years from planting. In a separate memorandum dated March 26, Cimatu issued a nationwide suspension on the acceptance, processing, and issuance of all transport-related permits or documents for all forest products and wildlife, except for permit to transport confiscated lumber that will be used for the construction/expansion of COVID-19 facilities. These confiscated lumber include white and red lauaan, apitong, bagtikan, toog, molave, mangkono (iron wood), narra, yakal, and kamagong. "The DENR supports the continuing and earnest work of the government to limit the movement of people and non-priority products at this time, and prevent the further spread of the virus," Cimatu said.