The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Monday it understands public concerns over tree cutting, including issues at Quirino Avenue and the Berong Nickel Project in Palawan. It said the policy is clear: no tree may be removed without legal basis, environmental safeguards, and mandatory long‑term rehabilitation plans.
For the Berong project, permits cover cutting 26,617 trees and transplanting 43,743 saplings. Work will proceed in phases, with replacement planting done at the same time to sustain ecological recovery. The project follows one of the country’s highest mitigation standards—requiring 100 indigenous or mangrove seedlings (such as Pagatpat and Api‑api) for every tree cut, totaling at least 2.66 million seedlings.
The project owner must maintain planted seedlings for three years and protect restored areas permanently. Local communities are hired for planting and care, with payments released only after DENR verifies work quality and fairness. Additional rules include 20‑meter buffer zones along waterways, rehabilitation of protected zones, geo‑tagged progress reports, and regular checks by DENR staff and a multi‑sector monitoring team. These measures match the strict conditions applied to the Quirino Avenue case.
DENR said it closely oversees all activities and enforces every requirement. Its priority is to follow the law, safeguard communities, and ensure the environment benefits overall. It called for public understanding and continued participation as it carries out its duties openly and responsibly.
