There will be no tree cutting permits that will be issued for the meantime.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office issued an order suspending the processing of all requests for cutting permits.

DENR USec. and Chief of Staff Analiza Rebuelta-Teh in an April 30 order to regional directors said, “Pursuant to the instruction of the Secretary, you are directed to defer or suspend the processing of all requests for tree cutting permits until further notice.”

DENR Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat said the order took effect immediately which now prevents the processing of applications for tree cutting. Among the institutions with pending tree cutting application is  Saint Louis University, which  plans to cut 157 trees to give way to the expansion of the school. Also affected is the  the application at Happy Hallow, that of the Goshenland, and a tree cutting application at the Le Monet Hotel area inside  Camp John Hay.

Records reveal there are 42 tree cutting permit applications, involving 11 applicants, pending before the DENR regional office. The applications include the cutting of 15 dead trees.

Baguilat said only the pending applications are affected while those which have already been issued permits are not covered by the latest order.

He added they are expecting to meet with the DENR secretary the coming week to discuss details pertaining to the order as well as to know how to go about with the applications which are pending in their respective offices.

“Baka magpatawag ng meeting si Secretary next week at sa tingin ko mapag-uusapan itong order na ito dahil marami ang mga pending application,” he said in a telephone interview.

It may be remembered that when President Aquino issued Executive Order 23, various projects were put on hold including projects to develop power plants to address the expected power shortage.

Its implementation however was questioned especially with the issuance of various other exemptions in all levels, particularly those which are needed to give way to developments of subdivisions.

In the city, various projects were also highlighted with the pursuance of development projects where there were tree cutting done but are not covered by permits or exemptions from the DENR.