EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriquez
8807

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a community forest in Barangay Agusan in the 2™ District
of Cagayan de Oro City.

A community forest is a tract of forest land set aside by the Secretary of the DENR for
the use of the residents of a municipality/barangay from which said residents may plant, re-
Plant, collect, and remove forest products for their personal use in accordance with existing
laws and regulations. Th utilization of resources should also be in accordance with sustainable
development.

Under DENR AO 92-30, the implementation of community forestry projects has been
devolved to the concerned local government unit. This includes the management and control
of community forests with an area not exceeding 5,000 hectares, provided that the concerned
LGUs shall endeavor to convert said areas into community forestry projects

Generally, community forestry is beneficial to a 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.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. jUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 8807

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND DETERMINING A COMMUNITY FOREST IN BARANGAY AGUSAN
IN THE 2 DISTRICT OF CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 Barangay Agusan in the
2" District of Cagayan de Oro City

The DENR shall determine the size and specific forest limits of the established
community forest within the barangay concerned.

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 the
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 Barangay Agusan in the
2" District of Cagayan de Oro City, 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 for 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 after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,