LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Despite a moratorium imposed by the government on the issuance of permit to cut coconut trees, special permits have been issued for the said purpose by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
Oil millers in Quezon province, whose businesses have been affected by the issuance of special permits to cut coconut trees, cited an order signed by PCA Administrator Oscar Garin giving special permits for the cutting of coconut trees damaged by typhoons and calamities.
Provincial Development Manager Darwin Prieto of PCA – Quezon II requested authorities to issue permits to cut coconut trees and transport clearances to some 16 applicants all coming from Unisan town of the province’s Bondoc Peninsula.
Some 5,720 coconut trees that have been applied for cutting are all located in various farms and barangays in Unisan, the home town of Quezon Gov. Jayjay Suarez and his father, Rep. Danny Suarez. Some of those farms are reportedly owned by the Suarez family.