Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN
Tuguegarao City

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

SP Regulates the Operation and Use of Mechanical Dryers in the
Province
-Norma E. Agustin
With the passage of Provincial Ordinance No. 2015-8-006 or the Ordinance
Regulating and Prescribing Guidelines for the Use and Operation of Mechanical
Dryers and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof, the use and operation of
mechanical dryers in the province is now regulated.
Mechanical dryers are used by farmers and grain traders to dry different
types of grains during rainy season. Some farmers and grain traders however, in
lieu of biomass energy, indiscriminately cut and use trees to fuel their respective
mechanical dryers. In order to prevent and abate the inimical effects of extensive
cutting of trees, Board Member Ramon C. Nolasco authored the subject Ordinance.
Coming from a place where majority of the population are farmers and being the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, he saw the urgency
of addressing the problems which may be possibly faced by the province if the use
and operation of mechanical dryers are not regulated.

Among the highlights of the Ordinance is the proviso on Incentives to

Registered Owners of Mechanical Dryers. To encourage the use of biomass fuel and
forest residue as fuel for mechanical dryers, registration fees in the registration of
mechanical dryers are waived upon renewal if the owner thereof has no recorded
violation. The owner must secure a report of non violation from the Municipal
Environment Office as proof. As per Section 5 of the Ordinance, the following may
only be used as fuel for the operation of mechanical dryers: corn cob; rice
hull;
corn hull; forest residue that are already dry at the time of gathering; trees that
were planted for the purpose of fuel for mechanical dryers and duly registered as
such with the Municipal Environment Officer; and dead or felled trees caused by
natural calamities such as typhoons and drought with the corresponding permit to
gather.
During the Second Reading of the measure, Board Member Winnoco R.
Abraham stressed the importance of the Ordinance and requested that he be
allowed to co-sponsor the same. He relayed how his past experiences exposed him
to the malpractice of many farmers and grain traders in cutting down trees just so
they could use the wood to fuel their mechanical dryers. With the effects of global
warming and increased occurrence of rain and typhoon, to cut down trees to fuel
mechanical dryers becomes more tempting, thus, a measure is needed to deter
such act.

OFFICE OF THE VICE GOVERNOR

Capitol Hills, Tuguegarao City
(078) 304-1064
Email address: sp_cagayan@yahoo.com