The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Bohol called on barangay officials to identify and request to for permits to cut down coconut trees, and other tree variants, that pose danger to the public.
The statement was issued Monday by PCA manager Emiliano Romero after a man and a woman were killed by an uprooted coconut tree which fell on them while travelling on board a motorcycle in Mabini.
Romero urged barangay officials to pass resolutions that would appeal for the mandatory cutting of dangerous coconut trees.
According to Romero, village officials should not wait for accidents to happen before they take action.
Villagers’ safety is part of barangay officials’ responsibilities, he added.
On Saturday, Jacel Dajalos, 24, and Rogelio Tutor, both residents of Barangay Minol, Mabini, were killed after their heads were crushed by a falling coconut tree.
Both victims died on the spot due to the severe injuries they sustained.
Authorities noted that the 15-meter tree may have fallen after soil around its roots softened due to torrential rains that hit the province in the past weeks.
There were no rains and strong winds during the time of the incident, residents near the scene of the accident said. (R. Tutas)