SORSOGON CITY -- The province of Albay had the most number of coconut trees cut in the Bicol region last year with a total of 49,996 trees, the Philippine Coconut Authority said.

        Alvin Trespeces, PCA technical staff in-charge of records, said a total of 107,734 coconut trees were cut and converted into coco lumbers regionwide in 2007.

        Next to Albay in number of coco trees cut was Camarines Sur with 28,000 followed by Sorsogon-17,174, Camarines Norte- 10,906, Masbate-1,348 and Catanduanes-310.

        But despite the huge number, Trespeces said it would have no significant impact on the coconut production in the region.

        He said that cutting coconut trees that were affected by the past typhoons that hit the region might even help in preventing the spread of pests especially coconut beetles.

        The official explained that coconuts that have lost their leaves usually become breeding place for beetles that could eventually endanger even those that were not heavily damaged.

        Reacting on observations about the unabated transport of coco lumbers outside the region, he said the PCA could not refuse to grant permit to applicants who have complied with the provisions of Republic Act 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995 which stipulates the requirements for cutting of coconut trees.

        Trespeces explained that although the purpose of the law was the preservation of coconut trees it also allowed the selective cutting particularly those that had diseases and considered hazardous.

        He confirmed the big increase in number of cuttings compared to those in 2006 which only had about 60,000 trees cut but attributed this to the damages wrought by the two supertyphoons, Milenyo and Reming.

        He said PCA is set to implement a replanting program which would tap coconut farmers in raising seedlings to replace those that were lost due to typhoons, diseases and cuttings.

        Under the program, farmers would be paid P5 for each seed nut that would be set aside for growing, another P5 for each nut once he has grown to a height of at least two feet and P20 each after it had been planted and stabilized.

        The official said the PCA is now preparing masterlists of farmers who would want to be included in the program although the fund for its implementation has yet to be sourced out.