Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 97-23)
The main purpose of DENR Memorandum Circular No. 97-23 is to stop the issuance of Private Land Tree Plantation Cutting Permits (PLTPCP) and/or Private Land Tree Cutting Permits (PLTCP) as these are no longer required for cutting and transporting trees planted on private lands covered by titles, in line with existing forestry regulations.
A Certificate of Verification issued by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) replaces the need for a PLTPCP or PLTCP when harvesting trees planted within private lands covered by title or tax-declared Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands.
The memorandum cites Ministry Administrative Order No. 04, Series of 1987; DAO No. 86, Series of 1988; DAO No. 26, Series of 1990; and DAO No. 79, Series of 1990 as the legal basis for the deregulation of tree harvesting on private lands.
The deregulation applies to private lands covered with a title or tax-declared Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands with an approved application for title.
The CENRO is tasked with issuing the Certificate of Verification for the harvest, transportation, and sale of products from trees planted on private lands, and collecting data on species, volume, and other pertinent statistical information.
It is considered counterproductive because it deters the attainment of the objectives of promoting and encouraging tree planting by private landowners, thus contradicting the intent of deregulation policies and forestry laws.
The forestry statistical forms to be used include FS1 (Log Production), FS2 (Fuelwood/Charcoal Production), and FS11 (Issuances of Forestry Licenses/Permits).
Deregulation serves as an incentive by allowing private landowners easier harvesting, transport, and sale of tree products without the need for permits, thereby encouraging tree planting and sustainable forest management on private lands.
It is addressed to and applicable for DENR field offices, particularly CENROs, and all concerned personnel involved in the issuance of forestry permits and monitoring of tree harvesting on private lands.
Non-compliance may lead to administrative sanctions against field offices or personnel who continue to issue PLTPCP or PLTCP contrary to existing forestry regulations, and could hinder the government’s forestry policy objectives underscored by the said memorandum.