Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING AND DETERMINING A COMMUNITY FOREST IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a span of 20 years the Province of Davao Del Sur has lost 17.2 hectares of tree cover 
from 2001 to 2020 due to several man-made activities and natural phenomenon.  This data was 
recorded by the Global Forest Watch, an international organization that provides data and tools 
for monitoring forests using cutting-edge technology and presents near real-time information 
via an online platform. 
To mitigate the increasing deforestation and forest degradation and to help improve the 
Province’s forest cover, this representation proposes the establishment of a community forest 
in the Municipality of Malalag, Province of Davao Del Sur. A community forest is tract of land 
set aside by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
for the use of the residents of a city, municipality, or barangay from which the residents may 
plant, replant, collect and remove forest products for their personal use in accordance with 
existing laws and regulations. 
Generally, community forestry is beneficial to an LGU because it can generate income 
from the planting and re-planting of trees and plants and the harvesting of timber and non-
timber forest products while at the same time promoting sustainability and regulating the 
ecosystem.  It has been considered one of the most promising options of combining forest 
conservation with rural development and community empowerment and poverty reduction 
objectives. 
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 
August 25, 2021
5:46 pm
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Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING AND DETERMINING A COMMUNITY FOREST IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a community forest in the Municipality of Sta. 
Cruz, Province of Davao Del Sur.   
The DENR shall determine the size and specific forest limits of the established 
community forest within the Municipality.  
SEC.  2. The DENR shall, within two (2) years after the establishment and determination of 
the community forest, transfer the management of the same to the local government unit 
concerned through a memorandum of agreement.  It shall implement a training and phasing-in 
program for local government personnel on the management, utilization and conservation of 
the community forest. 
The DENR shall, in coordination with the concerned LGU, undertake a forest resource 
inventory and determine the sustainable level of forest resource utilization and provide the 
LGU technical assistance in all facets of forest management planning to ensure sustainable 
development.  The management plan should include provision for replanting by communities 
and the LGUs of the community forests to ensure sustainability.  
SEC. 3. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall include in the Department’s 
program the establishment of the community forest in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Province 
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of Davao Del Sur, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.  
 
The local government unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local 
revenue in an amount deemed appropriate or the management, utilization and conservation of 
the community forest.  
SEC. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of Environment and 
Natural Resources shall issue the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this 
Act.  
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the 
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.   
Approved,