Pursuant to DENR's mandate to manage the natural forest resources on a sustainable basis, and in accordance with the provisions of Department Administrative Order No. 24, series of 1991 shifting logging from old growth (virgin) forests to second growth (residual) forests beginning January 1992, the following are hereby issued for the guidance of all concerned:

SECTION 1. Basic Policy - The proper conservation, management, protection and development of Philippine dipterocarp forests to ensure the sustained production of forest products and services without sacrificing the environmental considerations shall be a primary concern of the Department. Towards this end, the institution and adoption of additional forest conservation measures and prescriptions is of utmost importance.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms - For the purpose of this Order, the following terms are hereby defined:

2.1 Yarding is the process of transporting the felled trees or sections thereof using a stationary power from the stump to the log landing, roadside or designated loading points in the cutting area for long distance transport.

2.2 Cable crane yarding (Skyline Yarding) refers to yarding by using a skyline to carry a self clamping slack pulling carriage which provides for fully suspended log transport along the cableway and allows lateral skidding.

2.3 Ground skidding refers to yarding by using a skidder or a tractor equipped with a winch to drag logs along a skidtrail toward the roadside or loading point.

2.4 Highlead yarding refers to yarding by using a stationary power unit which is reeling in a mainline that passes through a block attached high on a spar tree.

SECTION 3. Ban on Destructive Yarding Systems - Consistent with the above stated policy, the use of yarding systems which cause excessive damage to forest stands and soil shall, henceforth, no longer be allowed in any dipterocarp forests.  Since highlead yarding caused heavy damage to the residual stand and the soil, its use for selective harvesting in dipterocarp forest shall no longer be allowed.

SECTION 4. When Highlead Yarding may be Used - The use of highlead yarding may be authorized by the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources in areas where clearcutting is allowed such as in plantations and in pine forests where the seed-tree system is practiced.

SECTION 5. Applicability of Related Rules and Regulations - The rules and regulations governing the maximum allowable width of the main roads, skidroads, log landings and cableways shall be restricted to conform with the standards set forth under the alternative harvesting method.

SECTION 6. Alternative Harvesting Method - The use of less destructive harvesting techniques within residual forests in consonance with DAO 24, series of 1991 shall either be the skyline (cable crane) system where the skyline is permanently tensioned and elevated with intermediate supports above the ground, giving the necessary clearance for a fully suspended log transport, equipped with a self clamping slack pulling carriage and a stationary power unit with a maximum of 150 horsepower engine or a ground skidding system for every easy and flat terrain where a tractor/wrecker equipped with a winch complete with logging arch, front mounted decking blade and a rear mounted logging pan to lift one end of the log while forwarding, PROVIDED that, all appropriate residual-saving techniques and pre-laid skidding tracks and routes prescribed under selective logging rules and regulations are applied; Provided Further, that the maximum yarding distance in any logging set-up shall not exceed 1,000 meters (1 km.) and the distance for lateral pulling shall not exceed 25 meters from the skidtrack for ground skidding and 50 meters from the cableway for cable crane yarding.

SECTION 7. Transitory Provision - Except when the use of yarding system is as provided/conditioned in Section 4 of this Order, all highlead yarding operations shall immediately be stopped on 31 March 1992.

SECTION 8. Penalties - Violation of any of the provisions of this Order shall be sufficient cause for the immediate suspension or cancellation of the license, without prejudice to such other penalties imposable under existing forest laws and regulations.

SECTION 9. Issuance of implementing circulars and instructions - The Undersecretary for Field Operation may issue such circulars and instructions deemed necessary for the effective implementation of this Order.

SECTION 10. Three (3) certified true copies of this Order shall be furnished the UP Law Center for publication in the National Administrative Register in consonance with the Administrative Code of 1987.

SECTION 11. This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 29 Jan. 1992