Pursuant to PCA Board Resolution No. 104-2013, as expedient measure to mitigate the negative effects of Typhoon Yolanda to national coconut production, in conscientious consideration of the need to ensure reliability and sustainability of supply of coconuts, and in adherence also with the country ™s commitment to help in the conservation of trees as primary measure to arrest climate change, all issuances of Permit to Cut Coconut Trees (PTC) and the corresponding Transport Permit (TP) are suspended nationwide except as provided hereunder:

1. Exemptions. A PTC may be issued only in the following circumstances:
   
   
   1. For coconut trees classified as severely affected beyond recovery in areas directly hit by Typhoon Yolanda in Regions VI, VII, VIII and MIMAROPA; and for the remaining coconut trees severely affected beyond recovery by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Province in Region XI, as reported in the Final Rapid Evaluation and Reporting for Damages (FRERD) submitted by the concerned regions
   2. For scale insect infested coconut trees which have been duly ascertained to be severely infested and beyond recovery
   3. For coconut trees which pose immediate danger to life and property, including those to be affected by the proper exercise of imminent domain
   4. For coconut trees in areas covered by land use or conversion orders duly issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform or Department of Agriculture, respectively and
   5. For coconut trees needed for personal use of farmer for family housing or animal shed; not exceeding five trees in which only senile trees may be allowed

2. Transition Period. A transition period is hereby allowed to allow permit holders to comply with the terms and conditions of their permits under the following circumstances:
   
   
   1. When the PTC was issued prior to the effectivity of this Circular but the covered coconut trees have not yet been cut and the TP is yet to be issued, then the coconut trees covered by the said PTC shall be allowed to be cut even after the effectivity date of this Circular and the required TP shall be issued for the volume allowed by the PTC and the transport of the subject coconut lumber may be allowed outside the source province
   2. All applications for PTC duly processed and approved before the effectivity of the moratorium, wherein all required processing activities necessary for the issuance of the permit have already been complied with and the only thing to be done is the issuance or release of the PTC, shall be honored for the volume of the coconut trees approved for cutting with the corresponding TP. Such coconut lumber may be allowed for transport/transshipment outside the source province of source in such volume allowed by the PTC.
   3. Where the required processes for the application for permit have not yet been completed, that is, where the Agriculturist concerned has not yet conducted the required verification, field inspection, and consultation within fifteen days from date of application and has not yet submitted his recommendation to the Division Chief I, then the application shall be considered pending and the same shall be returned to the applicant and the fees paid be refunded upon return of the covering Official Receipt.
      
      
3. Report and Monitoring. All Division Chiefs concerned shall submit to their respective Regional Office a monthly status report on the clearing, cutting and disposal of severely affected coconut trees in their jurisdiction. The Regional Offices concerned shall account for disposal and/or rehabilitation of affected coconut trees as reported in its FRERD and shall accordingly submit its report to the Administrator.
   
   
4. Effectivity. The moratorium shall be effective from December 1, 2013 until revoked by the PCA Governing Board upon recommendation by the PCA Management. All orders and issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed modified or suspended during the effectivity of this Circular.

For strict compliance.

(SGD) EUCLIDES G. FORBES
Administrator