QuestionsQuestions (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 58 S. 1993)
The basic policy is to conserve Narra through nationalized extraction and optimized utilization to sustain the economic efficiency of Narra-based industries. The objectives include: regulating utilization sustainably; ensuring steady supply of raw materials; optimizing utilization; providing livelihood to communities dependent on Narra trade; ensuring sustainable development of Narra stands; and generating additional government revenues from extraction.
“Allowable Clearing” is a designated area(s) within forest lands usually covered by permits/lease/lease agreements (e.g., log landings, skidways, road networks) where cutting of all existing vegetation is allowed.
The Order lists: (1) private lands with approved public land applications/emancipation patents subject to conditions; (2) allowable clearings with civil/military reservations or settlement areas with DENR-approved operations plans; (3) areas within existing TLAs/TPSAs; (4) CFP areas; (5) areas covered by cancelled/expired TLAs later covered by TPSA/IFMA/CFP with completed open area development; (6) buffer zones in IPAS where community extraction is limited/allowed; (7) Phase II FLMP areas; (8) areas reforested within FLGA by the lessee; and (9) other areas later made available by the DENR Secretary.
All Narra trees in the identified cutting area within public forestlands must be numbered consecutively and properly marked as to cut or leave. Cutting cannot occur before tree marking and validation by the CENRO. Based on DBH: 20–40 cm must be marked to be left; 60 cm and above marked for cutting; 50 cm class—50% marked to be left and 50% marked for cutting.
Section 7 provides: (1) Labor-intensive logging for CFP communities using carabaos and encouraging cooperatives; trees are bucked for transport; flitching/log-splitting by chainsaw discouraged (except for very large/too heavy logs which may be split); strict CENRO supervision to ensure only Narra extracted. (2) Truck logging for areas of existing TLAs/TPSAs/IFMAs using mechanized equipment and compliant with selective logging principles and prohibition on highlead yarding. (3) Clearcutting allowed for private lands and plantations with soil erosion control; for labor-intensive or truck-logging, only Narra trees with DBH 50 cm and above harvested; maximum utilization including tops/branches/stumps required.
Designated log yards (identified by CENRO with Regional Office concurrence) are required for harvested Narra logs from public lands. Scaling is done in the cutting area by DENR scalers to assess proper forest charges (including tops/branches/stumps). Logs not delivered to the designated yard are presumed from illegal sources and are subject to outright confiscation.
A post-harvest assessment must be undertaken immediately by the CENRO or authorized representatives in the cutting areas to determine the extent of logging damages to trees marked to be left. The resulting report becomes the basis for silvicultural fees and/or penalties payable by the permit holder.
Registered Narra-based manufacturers/associations/cooperatives sourcing from CFP and other lands must buy from designated log yards; only manufacturers based in the locality where Narra is extracted may buy. Primary processing (e.g., milling to lumber/veneer) must be in DENR-authorized plants, except when users opt for labor-intensive processing (e.g., handsaws). Milling and labor-intensive processing require strict monitoring by authorized CENRO personnel. Output allocation is the responsibility of the cooperative/association.
Fifty percent of the output must be allocated for disposition to Narra-based manufacturer associations/cooperatives within the province where Narra is extracted. The TLA-holder may allocate the remaining 50% for their own use or dispose to other processors/users (whether within or outside the province).
Local transport from designated log yards/storage areas (after payment by the manufacturer/association/cooperative) must be accompanied by: (1) a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by DENR personnel concerned together with the auxiliary invoice; and (2) an information sheet detailing log source (area and log pond), volume, processing plant destination, and conveyance used.
No. The Order states that no Narra log or lumber shall be exported. However, Narra finished products such as furniture, novelty items, and similar items may be exported.
Each shipment must be accompanied by a certification issued by the CENRO certifying legitimacy of origin. For raw Narra lumber subject to allocation to members of an association/cooperative, a CO by the CENRO must be presented, together with an information sheet showing the volume of lumber allocated per manufacturer. For TLAs/TPSAs/IFMAs, separate CO must accompany lumber representing allowable volume for disposition to processors/users outside the province. Semi-finished products may be transported outside the source province for further/final processing.
They must be reported immediately to the nearest DENR office. DENR orders determination of validity of claim and assessment of forest charges based on actual dimensions of the logs/flitches when originally found, without allowance for natural defects. After payment, Narra may be disposed to legitimate claimants with shipment documents under Section 10. If no claim is exercised, the products are turned over to CENRO for disposition through bidding per existing laws.
It is illegal, and violators are punished under Section 68 of P.D. 705, as amended, and other applicable laws.