ea RECEIVED %

NINETEENTH CONGRESS ) i
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 3 L_2 720
First Regular Session = ares

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

2435

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House Bill No.

This bill seeks to establish a community forest in Barangay Balubal 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.

RUFYS B. RODRIGUEZ


NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 2439

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND DETERMINING A COMMUNITY FOREST IN BARANGAY BALUBAL
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 Balubal in the
Second District of Cagayan de Oro City, Province of Misamis Oriental.

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

Each established community forest shall be identified in accordance with a Forest Land
Use Plan, consistent with the city’s land use plan, and all existing and related plans, programs
and projects of the city and national government.

SEC. 2. The DENR shall, within two (2) years after the determination and establishment of the
community forest, transfer the management of the same to the local government unit (LGU)
concemed, under the direct supervision of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources
Office, 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 in the barangay, determine the sustainable level of forest resource utilization and
provide the LGU technical assistance in all facets of forest management planning. To ensure
the sustainability of the community forest, the management plan shall include provision for
replanting by the communities and the LGU.

SEC. 3. The DENR Secretary shall include in the Department's program the implementation
of this Act, 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 effectivity of this Act, the DENR Secretary 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,