P’sinan chainsaw owners warned: Register or else

DAGUPAN CITY — The possession and use of chainsaws, like the ownership of firearms, is strictly regulated by law and all those who have one must seek a license or be punished for its illegal use, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned Wednesday.

Engineer Raymundo Gayo, officer-in-charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Pangasinan, said citizens should be reminded that owning a chainsaw is no different from owning a gun.

Under the Chainsaw Act, or Republic Act No. 9175, which was enacted in 2002, regulates the selling, purchase, re-selling, transfer, distribution or possession of a chain saw without a proper permit. Commission of any one of these acts entails a penalty of P15,000 to P30,000 and imprisonment of up to six years.

Those interested in buying a chainsaw need to coordinate with the nearest DENR office for a list of legitimate chainsaw sellers, said Gayo. -- LBI