Possession of an unregistered chainsaw and using the same to cut trees within forest land or elsewhere can get a person jail time!
Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9175, an act regulating the ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of chainsaws, penalizing violations thereof and for other purposes penalizes such an offense with six (6) years and one (1) day to eight (8) years or a fine of not less than thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court without prejudice to being prosecuted for a separate offense that may have been simultaneously committed.
The chain saw unlawfully used shall be likewise confiscated in favor of the government through administrative proceedings.
Consistent to the DENR’s mandate to effectively promote the protection, conservation and the sustainable management of the country’s forest resources, the regulation of ownership, possession and use of chainsaws thus is seriously taken into account by all of the DENR’s instrumentalities.
Therefore, if one is already in possession or intend to own a chainsaw, here are some of the chainsaw registration requirements that one needs to fulfill to avoid such violations of the law.
First, make an application letter addressed to the CENR Officer specifying the area/s of coverage where he intends to operate the machine. It is important to note that the registration only warrants the owner to utilize the equipment within the jurisdiction of the CENRO where it is registered. It is worth informing the registering CENR Office of the licensee of his intention to use the chainsaw outside of its jurisdiction. In this way, the registering CENRO can extend the area of coverage of the permit to be issued. The licensee has to be specific though of places where he intends to use it.
Second, the applicant shall present four copies of a photograph and a proof of purchase (official receipt) of the chainsaw for the CENRO to determine if the machine comes from a legitimate source. In case of loss of the receipt, the applicant may present an affidavit of loss (four copies).
Third, be ready to present mechanical descriptions of the chainsaw to include its horse power, serial number, guide bar, model, and brand name. The registration fee is P500.00 and P50.00 for the sticker.
“The last thing one would like to happen is spend some jail time for not knowing the law”.**Alaska Turaray
