The moratorium on the cutting of coconut trees has been lifted, said a local official of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

PCA Bohol manager Emiliano Romero told the Chronicle that the three-month ban was lifted in May but the agency’s head office only recently ordered the directive’s official implementation in the province.

The temporary ban was implemented early in January in efforts to rehabilitate the country’s coconut industry.

The moratorium was imposed nationwide except for Basilan and Isabela City amid the review of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 10510593, amending RA 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.

According to Romero, while the ban was lifted, compliance of the processes involved in securing permits to cut will still be strictly imposed.

Romero noted that there had been several barangay captains in the province who have previously issued permits even without the approval of the PCA.

However, the PCA official did not name the village chiefs.

Romero warned officials that complaints will be filed against those who continue the practice.

In March this year, four men including a barangay councilor and a woman were taken into police custody for alleged illegal logging in Dimiao. (R. Tutas)