Chainsaws, bulldozers, graders and all other logging tools and implements are now now off-limit in natural and residual forests nationwide.

This after the deadline given by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje to his regional executive directors to supervise the pull out of all logging/cutting and hauling equipment from natural and residual forests has lapsed on February 28, 2011.

“I have given all our regional executive directors until end of February to supervise the pull out of all logging/cutting and hauling equipment from all natural and residual forests. This is to ensure that no further timber harvesting shall be done following the imposition of the logging moratorium by President Aquino,” Paje said.

Paje said the pull out of all logging and cutting paraphernalia is in consonance with Executive Order No. 23 issued by President Aquino on February 1, 2011, which provides for the declaration of a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests, and the creation of an anti-illegal logging task force.

In DENR memorandum No. 52, Paje likewise suspended the acceptance and processing of new, as well as the renewal or extension of, integrated operations plans, annual work plans or resource use permits in all natural and residual forests.

“This memorandum effectively limits the processing of application permits of forest tenure holders within their plantation sites only,” Paje said.

Paje has likewise temporarily stopped the issuance of wood processing permits, whether new or renewal, for sawmills, mini-sawmills and veneer and plywood plants. In the meantime, all operating wood processing plants were required to submit to the Task Force on Anti-illegal Logging on or before March 4, 2011, their source of logs or wood for the next five years, together with the corresponding supply contracts and location maps, Paje stressed.