NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
FrTsl Regu/ar Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced bv Representative Rufus B. Rodrigaez
House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 5887 during the Fourteenth
Congress and again in the Fifteenth Congress as House Bill No. 1063. lt was approved by the
Committee on Natural Resources during both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses, was
approved by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate where it was not
acted upon. lt was again re-filed during the 16th Congress where it was once again approved
by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate. lt was re-filed during 17th
Congress but was not acted upon and again in the 18th Congress where it was approved by
the House of Representatives.
Logging has many adverse effects. lt makes a forest less dense and causes soil
erosion. lt also degrades watersheds and diminishes the quality of drinking water. Just
recently, Cagayan de Oro City has suffered from flashfloods and logging operations are
blamed for such flashfloods. The flashfloods destroyed not just properties but agricultural
areas and farmto-market roads as well. Based on the Progress Reports of the Regional
Disaster Coordinating Council of Region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City, the flashfloods of
January 3, 2009 have affected 21,605 persons or 5,223 families in the city and have damaged
houses with 141 totally damaged and 1,410 partially damaged in an estimated cost of 1.9
million as of January 8, 2009 only.
ln the January 11, 2009 floods that befell Cagayan de Oro City, 37,086 persons or
7,410 families were affected with 94 houses totally damaged and 71 partially damaged.
Further, typhoon Sendong brought about the worst destruction in the history of
Cagayan de Oro City.
To prevent flashfloods from recurring, logging operations in Cagayan de Oro City must
be totally prohibited. Hence, this bill which seeks to declare a total log ban in the City of
Cagayan de Oro.
ln view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought
RUF
B.R
GUEZ
July 1, 2022
6:13 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regu/ar Sessrbn
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
Be rt enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines ,h Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - lt is the policy of the State to protect and advance the
right ofthe people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
of nature. Towards this end, the State shall institute measures to protect the people and the
environment in the City of Cagayan de Oro from the adverse effec{s of logging.
SEC 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a. Commercial logging refers to the cutting, felling or destruction of trees from old growth and
residual forests for the purpose of selling or otherwise disposing of the cut or felled logs for
profit;
b. Communal Forest refers to a small tract of forest land set aside by the Secretary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of a
local government unit for the use of its residents;
c. Forest land refers to land of the public domain classified as needed for forest purposes. lt
includes all forest reserves of the public domain;
d. Logging refers io the process, work, or business of cutting down trees for commercial
purposes.
SEC 3. lmposition of a Logging Ban in Cagayan de Oro City -A logging ban is hereby imposed
within the tenitorial jurisdiction of Cagayan de Oro City.
SEC 5. Penal Provisions -Any person, natural or juridical, or any public officer, who violates
the provisions of this Act shall be penalized with imprisonment of at least six (6) years but not
House Bill No. _
AN ACT
IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
SEC 4. Exemption from the Logging Ban - The following shall be exempted from the logging
ban:
(a) planted trees within private lands;
(b) planted trees within forestlands established and developed by tenurial
instrument holders in accordance with the approved plans;
(c) wood sources necessary for govemment infrastructure project in
predetermined areas, preferably a communal forest;
(d) kees necessary for extraction as means of silvicultural treatment; and
(e) trees aflected during road construction and other similar government-approved
projects for basic services such as, energy and power development, public
works or water utilities: Provided, That any harvesting or cutting of tree species
shall be done in compliance with the requirements of pertinent forestry and
environmental laws such as Presidential Decree 705, as amended, and other
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
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more than twelve (12) years, and a fine of at least One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00)
but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000'00). ln addition, a public officer
who violates this Ac{ shall also be dismissed from service and perpetually disqualified from
holding public office.
lf the offender is a juridical entity, the highest ranking official and the members of its
board of directors or board of trustees who authorized the violations therein shall suffer the
penalty imposed under this Act.
SEC 6. lmplementing Rules and Regulations. - Wthin ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the DENR Secretary shall issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.
SEC 7, Separability Clause - lf any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.
SEG 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC 9. Effeclivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,