Government bans cutting of coconut trees in Yolanda-hit provinces

Published December 7, 2013 4:21pm

In areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda, the national government has suspended cutting and transport permits for healthy coconut trees to help keep the number of trees up.

The Philippine Coconut Authority, which oversees the coconut and other palm oil industry, said late Friday that Yolanda damaged more than 34 million trees in Eastern and Western Visayas. Farmers will be allowed to cut and transport fallen trees to arrest decay and to prevent infestation by rhinoceros beetles.

The ban on cutting and transporting coconut trees does not cover trees already infested binsects and have been deemed beyond recovery as well as those permanently damaged by the typhoon.

Coconut trees that pose a risk to life and property may also be cut down./HS

Farmers are allowed to cut down up to five trees for personal use. Trees cut down for personal use should be more than 60 years old and have been classified senile, PCA said.

The trees can be used to rebuild houses damaged by the super typhoon last month.

Business group United Coconut Associations of the Philippines Inc. said in November that damage to coconuts trees in the central Philippines will make it difficult to reach the 2013 export target of 2 million metric tons.

It also said it could take up to six years for coconut farmers in areas ravaged by Yolanda to recover. — JDS/HS, GMA News

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