Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 207)
The basic policy is to conserve, develop, and protect forest resources through sustainable forest management, and to aggressively eliminate illegal logging and forest destruction facilitated by chainsaws.
Only persons duly authorized by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) are authorized to perform these activities involving chainsaws.
It covers the purchase, manufacture, ownership, possession, sale, transfer, importation, and use of chainsaws in Palawan.
Requirements include a duly accomplished application form, copy of the tenurial instrument, detailed specifications of the chainsaw, proof of ownership, stencil of engine serial number, and registration fee.
Imprisonment of 4 years, 2 months and 1 day to 6 years, or a fine of not less than ₱15,000, or both, with confiscation of the chainsaw.
Authorized owners and users include holders of tenurial instruments like TLAs, orchard or fruit tree farmers, industrial tree farmers, licensed wood processors, government agencies, and any entity that shows proof of legal purpose usage.
Generally valid for 2 years upon issuance, renewable for the same period; but for non-commercial orchard and fruit tree farmers, it is valid for 5 years, renewable as well.
Applications are filed with the District Management Office or District Managers and must be processed and approved or disapproved within 15 working days. The permit is valid for one year.
Penalties include imprisonment of 6 years and 1 day to 8 years, or a fine between ₱30,000 and ₱50,000, or both, plus confiscation of the chainsaw; public officials involved face removal and perpetual disqualification.
A reward equivalent to 20% of the value of the confiscated chainsaw unit(s) is given to the informer.