DENR OKs use of trees to rebuild homes

RESIDENTS of typhoon-stricken areas in northern Cebu and Eastern Visayas may use fallen trees to rebuild their homes, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) said yesterday.

“Trees that already fell can be used but it cannot be sold commercially,” regional DENR information officer Eddie Llamedo said in yesterday’s 888 News Forum.

He said the mayors may coordinate with DENR if they need any assistance in converting the fallen trees into lumber.

Llamedo said the agency also prohibits the sale of lumber from fallen trees.

Llamedo said the use of fallen coconut trees is not included in DENR’s advisory.

But he said use of fallen coconut trees for construction will have to be approved by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Llamedo said people are also prohibited from cutting down trees to use as building materials due to President Benigno Aquino III’s Executive Order 23.

The order enforces a moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests.

Last year, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje ordered DENR officials in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley to donate confiscated lumber and fallen trees for the rebuilding of homes that were washed out by typhoon “Pablo.”

A similar order was issued to cover trees felled by typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental in 2011. Correspondent Jose Santino S. Bunachita