The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has requested the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to temporarily allow the recovery and utilization of drifted logs and uprooted trees left by super typhoon Uwan for rehabilitation and reconstruction works.
In Resolution No. 1084-2025 sponsored by PBM Lorenzo T. Templonuevo Jr. and unanimously approved by the board during its Nov. 24, 2025 regular session presided over by PBM Santos V. Zafe.
Copies of the measure were sent to DENR Secretary Raphael P. Lotilla, Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, DENR 5 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla Jr. and Catanduanes OIC-PENR Officer Cyril Magdaraog.
PBM Templonuevo said the drifted logs and uprooted trees pose risks to local communities and infrastructure if not properly addressed, including potential flooding, obstruction of river channels, and public safety hazards.
“These forest materials also represent a valuable resource that, if properly managed, can contribute significantly to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures such as schools, barangay halls, community centers, health clinics, and evacuation shelters,” he added.
He pointed out that there are families in coastal areas severely affected by Uwan who are financially incapable of rebuilding their damaged or totally destroyed houses, and the utilization of drifted logs and uprooted trees will significantly aid them in restoring safe and habitable shelters.
“A carefully regulated moratorium on the recovery and utilization of drifted logs and uprooted trees – limited to Catanduanes and solely for use in rehabilitation works – will help accelerate post-typhoon reconstruction without compromising regulatory controls on natural resources,” Templonuevo stressed.
In 2022 following the rampage of typhoon Odette in Mindanao and Visayas regions, then DENR acting secretary Jim Sampulna issued a memorandum to DENR field offices to grant wood recovery permits (WRP) for uprooted trees in areas affected by the typhoon.
The partial lifting of the suspension of WRPs covered naturally growing and planted trees in forests, alienable, disposable lands and privately owned lands.
However, the moratorium did not include the retrieval and disposition of abandoned logs, drifted logs, sunken logs, tree stumps, tops and branches
A former secretary had suspended all WRPs, citing abuses in its issuance and saying these were used as convenient cover for illegal logging.
DENR Administrative Order No. 78-00 provides regulations in the recovery and disposition of abandoned logs, sunken logs, uprooted and fire or typhoon-damaged trees, tree stumps, tops and branches referred to as retrievable wood materials.
The holder of tenurial instruments or lot owner is the first priority in the recovery of fire or typhoon damaged and uprooted trees, tree stumps, tops and branches in public lands and private lands, respectively.
The National Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) gets top priority as far as abandoned logs are concerned while the finder of sunken or drifted logs is first in line in case of sunken and drifted logs.
With the issuance of WRPs for uprooted trees and drifted logs suspended as of now, it remains prohibited for anyone to cut or use such forest materials without the necessary permit from the DENR.
In a statement to the local media recently, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said that drifted logs brought by Uwan’s flooding cannot be utilized while the DENR can only issue WRPs for fallen trees within titled or private lands.
The landowner will have to bring to PENRO a letter request, photocopy of the land title, certification from the barangay that the tree was felled by Uwan and pay administrative fee of P86.
In case the tree is still standing, a regular cutting permit would have to be secured and this would also require, in addition to the previous documents, an authenticated copy of the title from the Registry of Deeds, certification interposing no objection from the barangay captain or mayor, and pay an inventory fee of P1,200 per hectare.
Applicants will have to secure the services of registered chainsaw owners.
It may be recalled that super typhoon Uwan destroyed a total of 4,716 houses and damaged 29,727 others in all 11 towns of Catanduanes, with Caramoran sustaining the heaviest loss at 1,229 homes destroyed and 4,594 partially damaged.