By Edwin Iyo,
Correspondent
Misamis Oriental provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said he is in favor of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in banning the cutting of coconut trees across the country.
The PCA recently issued a memorandum circular for a moratorium on the cutting of coconut trees nationwide for three months starting Jan. 3.
“I’m in favor of said move on banning the cutting of coconut trees. Manghinaot kita nga magmalampuson ang maong tumong sa PCA ug kahatagan sa igong kabug aton labi na diha sa pagpalambo sa production sa atong kalubihan,” Emano said.
Misamis Oriental has at least 100 thousand hectares planted with coconut tree which has been the primary source of livelihood of the people in the province, he added.
He urged the people in the province, specially those who are in the business of coco lumbers industry, to support the PCA’s moratorium on cutting coconut trees.
The issuance of permit to cut coconut trees has been temporarily suspended in Gingoog City and across the province, said Joel Oclarit PCA division chief of the province and head PCA sattelite office in this city.
The PCA issued the moratorium because Republic Act 8048 known as Coconut Preservation Act of 1995 has not been effectively enforced.
