Tree cutting endorsement letter not yet received by Mayor
BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan has yet to receive a copy of the supposed letter for the cutting of 32 trees inside the Philippine Information Agency compound in Lualhati barangay.
The letter, which came from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office has requested an endorsement for the release of a tree cutting permit.
"We still have to weigh on whether we should or should not release the endorsement letter for a tree cutting permit since we will have to find out the importance on why they need to cut the trees, would it be for development they want to introduce?" asked Domogan.
The endorsement letter dated November 14 was forwarded to the office of the Mayor.
"Relative here to, may we request for the issuance of a mayor’s clearance as a pre-requisite in the processing of the subject application (seeking to cut (32) live planted trees located at the PIA Compound). After which, please return same to this Office for further processing of the requested permit," the endorsement letter reads.
"If it is 32 trees, then it is not within my authority to issue the necessary permit but instead will have to go to the central office of the DENR," Domogan explained.
Accordingly, local government units are given
the mandate to release tree cutting permits for trees which may cause imminent danger to life or property of a community such as dead trees, but aside from this, are endorsed by the LGU to the DENR who will have to process the permit.
"Under the provisions of existing regulations, an endorsement coming from the local chief executive will have to be secured by anyone wanting to secure a tree cutting permit," Domogan added.