City officials recently referred to the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) the request of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) for an inventory of trees and tree charting and that the said report be furnished to the DENR-CENRO for inspection, and validation preparatory to the issuance of a tree-cutting permit or referral to the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 1361 otherwise known as the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act.
Under Resolution No. 581, series of 2023, local legislators stated that CNENRO Engr. Leandro L. de Jesus, in his letter dated January 13, 2023, addressed to DENR-CAR regional executive director Engr. Ralph Pablo, requested for suggestions or recommendations and comments to the various legislations that were crafted by the local legislative body.
Among the said legislative actions include Resolution No. 601, series of 2020 relative to the request for the immediate issuance of permits for the cutting of dead trees and trees that pose serious threat to lives and properties and to electric power lines of BENECO; Resolution No. 363, series of 2020 and Resolution No. 536, series of 2021 as to the conduct of inventory by the different barangays in coordination with the CEPMO and with other concerned offices.
For the first resolution, the CENRO recommended that the DENR be furnished of the inventory of trees and tree charting for inspection, validation and verification of the agency preparatory for the issuance of tree-cutting permit or referral to BENECO pursuant to RA 11361 while for the two other resolutions, the DENR requested the CEPMO to act as the coordinating office and that an inventory team or committee be created for the said purpose to be chaired by CEPMO.
Further, the DENR claimed that an inter-agency meeting shall be called for the briefing on the conduct of inventory and for the preparation of the needed documents preparatory to the issuance of tree-cutting permits until the cutting of trees.
The council tasked the CEPMO to act as the coordinating office of the inventory team or committee pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code as earlier amended.
