FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 990 
~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The continuing and alarming deterioration of the environment necessitates a 
more aggressive effort at environment rehabilitation, conservation, protection and 
preservation which involves the collective participation of all sectors of society. 
In line with the popular idiom being propagated by environmentalists around the 
globe, "Think Globally, Act Locally," this bill seeks to generate and institutionalize the 
role and participation of cultural indigenous communities in the effective utilization, 
management, protection and conservation of the country's remaining forests and their 
resources as well as in rehabilitating degraded forests. 
Indigenous cultural communities in the country have proven their effectiveness in 
such efforts through the employment of indigenous customs and practices. Thus, the 
proposed establishment of forest management centers in provinces predominantly 
populated by members of indigenous cultural communities. This aims to enhance forest 
rehabilitation, protection, and conservation by building on indigenous practices of doing 
the same. 
At the same time, such Centers are also expected to play major roles in the 
continuing efforts to uplift the conditions of indigenous cultural communities with the 
creation of additional sources of livelihood though an effective and sustainable 
utilization of their forest resources. 
Considering the great impact this could make on environmental conservation 
efforts and in the uplift of the conditions of our indigenous cultural communities, 
approval of this proposed measure is earnestly sought. 
MANNY ILLAR 
f 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING FOREST MANAGEMENT, UTILIZATION, CONSERVATION 
AND PRESERVATION CENTERS IN PROVINCES INHABITED PREDOMINANTLY 
BY MEMBERS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND UPLAND 
FAMILIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. There is hereby created a Forest Management, Utilization, 
Conservation and Preservation Center hereinafter referred to as the Center, under the 
direct supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 
every province inhabited predominantly by members of indigenous cultural communities 
and upland families. 
SEC. 2. The Center shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
(a) 
Design and implement a forest management, utilization, conservation and 
preservation program appropriate to the locality, incorporating therein indigenous and 
traditional customs and practices pertaining to the proper utilization of forests and its 
resources and to the effective protection, conservation, preservation and sustainable 
management of forest resources; 
(b) 
Develop and implement a continuing education program for leaders and 
members of indigenous communities aimed at building awareness of the importance of 


proper utilization of forest resources as well as the effective conservation, protection, 
preservation and sustainable management of the same; 
(c) 
Serve as a clearing house in the awarding of reforestation project 
contracts and all other related livelihood projects designed to promote natural resources 
conservation and protection in the locality; 
(d) 
Enter into contract of any kind to enable it to manage its own activities and 
carry out its objectives and functions; 
(e) 
Develop a fund mobilization and generation program directed to any 
department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government as well as 
other local and foreign donor agencies/organizations focusing on environment 
conservation and protection with the aim of generatinghecuring the necessary 
resources for projects aimed at promoting environment conservation, protection, 
rehabilitation and preservation; 
(9 
Formulate and recommend measures and programs designed to achieve 
effective forest management among indigenous cultural communities; 
(9) 
Undertake other activities as may be necessary to ensure the attainment 
of its objectives; and 
(h) 
To provide support in the implementation of the Strategic Environmental 
Plan for Palawan pursuant to Republic Act No. 761 1 and other political subdivisions as 
may be similarly situated. 
SEC. 3. Except in the Province of Palawan, as governed by Republic Act 
No. 761 1, the DENR shall carry out the provisions of this Act and shall constitute the 
necessary administrative and organizational set-up of the Center which shall be headed 
by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and promulgate 
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, taking 
into consideration indigenous laws, customs and practices: Provided, That a center 
may also be established in any other province as may be recommended by a member 
of Congress. 


SEC. 4. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,