Philippine Government Suspends Restrictions on Transfer of Wood and Forest Products

Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, has announced a revision to his original memorandum of March 28th. As of April 4th wood materials that are needed for the construction of facilities for coronavirus cases and transport of food products will be exempted from the government’s suspension of the transfer of forest products and wildlife species nationwide. Under the memorandum, the exempted wood products are to be sourced only from legitimate wood processing plants that operate with valid permits and are registered to produce semi-finished or finished wood pallets, boxes, or crates consistent with their respective DENR-approved current log supply inventory. The available raw materials may also be used provided these have been issued the necessary permits/transport documents prior to March 26, 2020.