DENR mobilizes ‘chainsaw personnel’ to clear roads of fallen trees

Graphic by Ed Lustan / INQUIRER.net

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has mobilized at least 87 members of chainsaw personnel to fast track the cutting of felled trees in areas badly affected by typhoon Ompong.

This even as Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu committed the agency’s resources, including its field personnel, to continue providing assistance to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government units (LGUs) in their initiative to clear all road of trees fallen by the recent strong typhoon.

Initial reports received by the DENR’s Operations Center indicated some 87 chainsaws, including chainsaw operators, have deployed in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, and in the Cordillera Administrative Region, to expedite the clearing operations of major roads, including those posing danger to the public.

Prior to the devastation of typhoon “Ompong,” Cimatu activated the DENR Operations Center in central office in Quezon City to provide quick response to the public through its regional and field offices.

“This is the most opportune time to make good use of the chainsaws that we have confiscated. Chainsaws are appropriate to cut felled trees, especially the big ones, but shorten the time in the clearing operations of the LGUs, the DPWH and even by the MMDA in the National Capital Region,” Cimatu said.

In Metro Manila, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda spearheaded the conduct of clearing operations in response to calls received by DENR Hotline from concerned people reporting of fallen trees.  As of September 15, Antiporda said at least 12 clearing operations were successfully conducted in Quezon City, Malabon and Valenzuela City.

In areas badly affected by typhoon “Ompong,”  the DENR field officers were also activated to provide support to DPWH in its road clearing operations, among which was in Kiangan, Asipolo and Tinoc road in Ifugao, to enable the delivery of food packs to evacuees.

Aside from clearing operations, the DENR has also assisted in the evacuation of more than a thousand affected families and individuals in Aparri, Cagayan; Dupax del Norte; and Isabela, and in delivery and distribution of relief goods.

At least 60 families are now taking shelter at the DENR’s CENRO sub Maconacon office, 18 indivduals in CENRO Palanan and four families at CENRO Casiguran.

The DENR’s Benguet provincial office was likewise evacuated due to a landslide area in Little Kibungan,  and rescued five of its personnel in PENRO Isabela and are now temporarily sheltered in its provincial office. /jpv