f?.'
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 
284
o( iiu' C: iU i'i iij*
*19 JUL-8 P3 ;16
A '
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS AND 
FOREST LANDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Forests play an important role in providing the country with natural resources 
that contribute to economic growth and social development These forests also 
provide livelihood through raw materials that will be converted into finished 
products.
Apart from the economic benefits, forests also serve as protection and buffer 
from natural disasters such as flood and erosions. However, due to the ecological 
disturbances brought about by the carelessness of many, lives have been lost in 
natural disasters that could have been averted if only our forests were preserved.
For this reason, the proposed Sustainable Forest Management Act aims to 
ensure that our forests are properly managed to meet the needs of the present and 
future generations.
The bill mandates the development of an effective and sustainable forest 
management strategy based on the allocation of forestland uses and by promoting 
land use practices that will not only be productive but will also conserve forest


resources such as soil, lumber, and water. This forest management strategy will also 
work to protect existing forest resources, conserve our fragile biodiversity and 
rehabilitate deforested or denuded areas. It is also envisioned to promote and 
stimulate food production activities without compromising forested areas.
This bill likewise provides for a Community-Based Forest Management 
Program (CBFMP) to be undertaken by concerned national agencies and the local 
government units. With this, indigenous people and other forest-based communities 
will be empowered to manage, develop, utilize and protect forest resources in a 
sustainable way.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
requested.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of iiif  £-1 . ir i. u r
S E N A T E
S. No. 
284
*19 JUL ”8 P3 ;16
RECEIVED liV.
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS AND 
FOREST LANDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable Forest
4 
Management Act".
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to promote social
6 
justice and the general welfare in all phases of national development; protect and
7 
advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
8 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature; and to conserve and develop the
9 
patrimony of the nation. Therefore, the State hereby adopts the following policies for
10 
the sustainable management and conservation of forest lands and forest resources
11 
found therein:
12 
a. The specific limits of forest lands, after these have been fixed and
13 
demarcated, shall not be altered, except through an act of Congress;
14 
b. The use and conservation of forest lands and forest resources found therein
15 
shall bear a social, cultural, ecological, biological, and economic functions,
16 
responsibility and accountability to promote the common good of present and
17 
future generations.


1 
c. The protection of forest ecosystem, as well as rehabilitation through
2 
reforestation and afforestation of the degraded forest ecosystem, shall be
3 
given priority to mitigate climate change, improve and conserve biodiversity,
4 
enhance ecosystem functions and services and provide long-term economic
5 
benefits;
6 
d. Forests lands shall be partitioned and planned into forest management units
7 
(FMUs) based on natural topographic and hydrologic boundaries and shall
8 
consider the watershed continuum approach which adopts a holistic 
inter-
9 
relationship between the upstream and downstream areas in order to carry
10 
out efficiently the rational ecological treatment of the entire landscape from
11 
the mountain down to the coast.
12 
e. The management, protection, conservation and development of forest
13 
resources shall be done in an integrated, inclusive, developmental, and
14 
sustainable manner, focusing on the forest resource and the people who
15 
manage, conserve and benefit from it
16 
Sec. 3. Objectives. -  The general objective of this bill is to optimize the
17 
utilization of forest resources to support sustainable development of the country by
18 
providing equitable access and benefit sharing to stakeholders. The specific
19 
objectives are:
20 
a. To deregulate the management of forest lands and forest resources;
21 
b. To provide sustainable livelihood and enterprises especially among those
22 
depending and temporarily residing in forest lands;
23 
c. To strengthen institutional mechanisms to respond to forest management
24 
concerns namely, development of the forest industry; law enforcement; and
25 
management of watershed;
26 
d. To create the Sustainable Forest Development Fund as a support mechanism
27 
for funding requirements of forest management units;
28 
e. To reorient the role of the Forest Management Bureau to be more responsive
29 
and pro-active consistent with the objectives of this Act;
30 
f. To ensure that required forest cover is achieved to maintain the provision of
31 
ecological services.


1 
Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage. -  The provisions of this Act shall apply to all
2 
forest lands and all forest resources in lands over which the Philippines has
3 
sovereignty and jurisdiction: Provided, That all forest lands and forest resources
4 
found in protected areas established under the National Integrated Protected Areas
5 
System (NIPAS) shall be sustainably managed and developed following the principles
6 
of this Act and consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, or the
7 
"National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", as amended by Republic
8 
Act No. 10629, and Republic Act No. 11038, or the "Expanded National Integrated
9 
System Act of 2018"; Provided further, That all wildlife resources and critical habitats
10 
found in forest lands, including alienable and disposable lands, shall be governed by
11 
Republic Act No. 9147, or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act";
12 
Provided furthermore, that the rights of indigenous cultural communities and
13 
indigenous peoples to their ancestral forest lands shall be respected, as provided for
14 
in Republic Act No. 8371 or the "Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997"; Provided
15 
finally, that all forest lands under the management or administration of local
16 
government units and other government agencies or instrumentalities shall be
17 
managed in accordance with their duly legislated charters and the principles and
18 
provisions of this Act.
19 
Sec. 6. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act:
20 
a. Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources,
21 
including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems in the
22 
ecological complexes of which they are part of;
23 
b. Climate Change refers to a change in climate that can be identified by
24 
changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for
25 
an extended period, typically decades or longer whether due to natural
26 
variability or as a result of human activity;
27 
c. Climate Change Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human
28 
systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects,
29 
which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities;
30 
d. Climate Change Mitigation refers to 
human 
intervention to 
reduce
31 
anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all greenhouse
32 
gases including ozone depleting substances and their substitutes;


1 
e. Ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each
2 
other and with their physical environment;
3 
f. Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and/or
4 
cultural heritage area where community participation, protection 
and
5 
management of natural resources, culture, and indigenous knowledge and
6 
practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits
7 
are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host community and
8 
satisfaction of visitors;
9 
g. Forest refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated by
10 
trees and other natural vegetation; a community of plants and animals
11 
interacting with one another and its natural environment;
12 
h. Forestland refers to land of the public domain classified as needed for forest
13 
purposes, including both production and protection. They shall include all
14 
forest reserves of the public domain;
15 
i. 
Forest Management Unit (FMU) refers to a clearly defined forest area
16 
assigned for management based on a set of objectives and a long-term
17 
watershed-based management plan. All current forest tenurial instruments
18 
may be considered FMUs;
19 
j. Forest-Based Industries refer to various industries that are dependent on raw
20 
materials or products derived from forests such as, but not limited to, wood,
21 
rattan, bamboo, vines, latex, resins, saps, essences, fruits, flowers, or wild
22 
flora and fauna;
23 
k. Forest Resources refer to all products and resources whether biomass such as
24 
plants and animals including its by-products and derivatives, which can be a
25 
raw material, or non-biomass such as soil, water, scenery, as well as the
26 
intangible services and values present in forest lands or in other lands
27 
devoted for forest purposes;
28 
I. 
Forest Restoration refers to a management strategy applied in degraded
29 
primary forest to enhance and accelerate natural processes of forest
30 
regeneration in order to regain the elastic capacity of forest ecosystem;


1 
m. Indigenous species refer to species or genotypes that have evolved in the
2 
same area, region or biotope and are adapted to the specific predominant
3 
ecological conditions at the time of establishment;
4 
n. Muitipie-Use refers to the harmonized utilization of land, soil, water, wildlife,
5 
recreation value, grass and timber of forest lands;
6 
o. Natural Forest refers to a forest composed of naturally growing indigenous
7 
trees, not planted by man, whose structure, composition, and dynamics have
8 
been largely the result of natural succession process;
9 
p. Non-Timber Forest Products refer to all biological materials and derivatives
10 
other than timber;
11 
q. Plantation refers to forest stand established by planting and/or seeding in the
12 
process of afforestation or reforestation. The stand is of either introduced
13 
species (all planted stands), or an intensively managed stand of any
14 
indigenous species, which meets ail the following criteria: one or two species
15 
at plantation, even-aged class, and regular spacing;
16 
r. Processing Plant refers to any establishment or infrastructure housing any
17 
mechanical set-up, device, machine, or combination of machines used for the
18 
conversion of logs and other forest raw materials into lumber, fiberboard,
19 
pulp, paper, or other finished wood products;
20 
s. Reforestation refers to the establishment of forest plantations on temporarily
21 
un-stocked lands that are considered as forests;
22 
t. Sustainable Forest Management refers to the process of watershed-based
23 
management of forest land and resources to achieve one or more clearly
24 
specified objectives of management with regard to the continuous production
25 
of desired forest products and the delivery of ecosystem services without
26 
undue reduction of its inherent values, biodiversity and future productivity
27 
and without undesirable effects on the physical and social environment; and
28 
u. Watershed refers to the land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water
29 
and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff. A watershed
30 
can be part of a larger landscape that includes connections from the head
31 
waters to the reef.
32


1 
ARTICLE I I
2 
ADMINISTRATION, DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION OF
3 
FOREST LANDS AND FOREST RESOURCES
4 
Sec. 7. Administration, Deveiopment, Management and Utiiization o f
5 
Forestlands. -  Forestlands and forest resources shall be under the full supervision
6 
and control by the State. The development and utilization thereof shall be under the
7 
State's full control and supervision. The State may directly undertake such activities,
8 
or it may enter into agreements with qualified persons in order for these persons to
9 
receive technical assistance and appropriate incentives.
10 
The Forest Management Bureau, hereinafter referred to as the FMB, shall be
11 
the primary government agency responsible for the administration, development,
12 
management and utilization of forest lands as defined in this Act. It shall have the
13 
authority to enter into management agreements or issue tenure instruments on
14 
behalf of the Government, promulgate rules and regulations for the effective
15 
enforcement of this Act, and administratively adjudicate offenses provided for in this
16 
Act in order to facilitate the speedy resolution of forestry-related cases.
17 
Sec. 8. Categories o f Forestiands. -  For the purpose of administration,
18 
development, management and utilization, forest lands in the Philippines shall be
19 
categorized into ancestral forest lands, private forest lands, and public forest lands.
20 
a. Ancestral forestlands are ancestral lands and domains defined as such under
21 
Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "Indigenous Peoples Rights
22 
Act of 1997".
23 
b. Private forest lands are alienable and disposable lands registered under the
24 
current land registration system of the country which are devoted for forestry
25 
purposes.
26 
c. Public forest lands shall include all lands of the public domain that have not
27 
been declared as a National Parks under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7586,
28 
otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of
29 
1992", as amended by Republic Act No. 11038; mineral lands pursuant to
30 
Republic Act No. 7942 otherwise known as the "Philippine Mining Act of
31 
1995", and those lands not classified as agricultural based on the maps


1 
developed by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
2 
(NAMRIA).
3 
Sec. 9. 
Demarcation and Delimitation. -  Within five (5) years from the
4 
approval of this Act, the DENR shall demarcate on the ground the actual land
5 
classification lines, in coordination with LGUs and agencies assigned by law to
6 
administer and manage forestlands or parts thereof: Provided, That the DENR
7 
Secretary, upon completion of the actual assessment of the demarcated land
8 
classification lines, shall recommend to Congress the delimitation of the forestlands
9 
found to be still suitable and capable for its purpose.
10 
Public forest lands shall not be reclassified, except through an act of
11 
Congress.
12 
Sec. 10. Management o f Forest Lands. -  For purposes of management and
13 
planning, all forest lands shall be managed for protection or production purposes
14 
only.
15 
a. Protection Forest Lands. All areas within the forest lands designated or set
16 
aside as such shall constitute the protection forest lands. They shall consist of
17 
the following:
18 
(1.) 
Virgin forest and old-growth, dipterocarp forest;
19 
(2.) 
All areas one thousand (1,000) meters above sea level;
20 
(3.) 
All areas with a slope of fifty percent (50%) or more;
21 
(4.) 
All areas along the bank of rivers and streams, and the shores of the
22 
seas and lakes throughout entire length and within a zone of three (3)
23 
meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty
24 
(40) meters in forest areas, along their margins which are subject to the
25 
easement of public use.
26 
All extractive activities, including harvesting, gathering, and collection of
27 
forest resources except planted mangrove species and non-timber forest products,
28 
are prohibited within forest lands for protection purposes. However, the sustainable
29 
traditional resource rights of indigenous peoples shall be respected.
30 
Only indigenous species shall be planted or introduced within protection forest
31 
lands.


1 
b. Production Forest Lands. All public forest lands not classified as protection
2 
forest lands, pursuant to this Section, shall constitute the production forest
3 
lands of the country. These lands shall be devoted for the production or
4 
timber and non-timber forest products to supply the domestic forest resource
5 
demand of the country and facilitate international trade of forest resources.
6 
Sec. 11. Forest Management Units. -  For the purposes of assigning respective
7 
areas of operations and management, all public forest or timber land shall be
8 
assigned and registered as "Forest Management Units" (FMUs) with the DENR:
9 
Provided, That all areas under an existing and valid tenure agreement or
10 
management arrangement with the DENR before the passage of this Act shall be
11 
considered as FMUs.
12 
The FMU shall be managed for protection and/or production purposes.
13 
Protection FMUs shall have the primary function of protecting life support systems to
14 
regulate water, prevent flooding, control erosion, prevent seawater intrusion,
15 
maintain soil fertility, and of conserving plant and wildlife biodiversity and their
16 
ecosystem. 
Production FMU shall have the primary function of producing forest
17 
products, food, energy and/or fresh water among others.
18 
Sec. 12. Qualified managers o f FMUs. -  To ensure effective management of
19 
forest lands, managers of FMUs shall be confined to qualified and capable persons,
20 
or entities which include indigenous and local households, civil society organizations,
21 
business organizations, forest land use tenure holders, and dedicated national and
22 
local government units including government-owned and controlled corporations
23 
subject to the requirements to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations
24 
of this Act.
25 
Sec. 13. FMU Development and Management Planning. -  Every FMU shall
26 
have a management plan formulated by the FMU Manager that were reviewed and
27 
concurred by a Registered Professional Forester which shall be approved by the
28 
DENR. The FMU management plan shall contain the following;
29 
a. FMU management objective;
30 
b. Description 
of 
the 
physical, 
environmental, 
socio-economic, 
and
31 
administrative profile of the FMU;


1 
c. Mapping and zoning of the FMU into production and high conservation value-
2 
forest zones;
3 
d. Management prescriptions to be applied in each zone to meet the FMU
4 
management objectives;
5 
e. Implementation plan; and
6 
f. Expected benefits and impacts of the plan.
7 
Sec. 14. Sustainable Management o f Mangrove Resources. -  Mangrove
8 
species planted within protection or production forest lands can be harvested,
9 
gathered or collected, taking into consideration the basic forestry policies and
10 
strategies provided for in this Act. The harvesting, gathering, and collection of
11 
mangrove species shall be upon the authority provided for by the Bureau.
12 
Sec. 
15. 
Mined-Out Areas and Abandoned Fishpond Areas. -  The
13 
management and administration of all forest lands that are considered as either
14 
mined-out areas or abandoned fishpond lease areas shall be reverted back to the
15 
FMB.
16 
SEC. 16. Utilization o f Forest Resources. -  The harvesting, gathering and
17 
collection of all planted forest resources within production forest lands and private
18 
forests, including Its by-products and derivatives, shall not require any clearance
19 
from the DENR; Provided, That any request for clearances for domestic transport of
20 
forest resources submitted to the DENR shall be acted upon within seven (7) days
21 
from the date of its submission with the proper office. After a lapse of seven (7)
22 
days and no action has been taken by the DENR, the clearance for transport is
23 
deemed approved.
24 
The harvesting, gathering, collection and transport of non-timber forest
25 
products within production forest lands shall be exempt from any clearance from any
26 
government institution.
27 
All timber and non-timber forest products planted within private lands shall
28 
belong to the owner of the land who shall have the right to harvest, gather, and
29 
collect the same without any clearance from any government institutions.
30 
Sec. 17. Regulation and Utilization o f Forest Resources within Ancestral Forest
31 
Lands. -  The rights of the indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples
32 
over their ancestral forest lands shall be respected: Provided, That management of


1 
forest resources within those lands shall be regulated by the DENR as provided for
2 
by laws, rules, and regulations.
3 
ARTICLE I I I
4 
FOREST-BASED INDUSTRIES
5 
Sec. 18. Development o f an Open and Competitive Market for Forest
6 
Resources. -  To meet the demands for forest good and services of the country, the
7 
State, through the DENR shall promote and rationalize the establishment,
8 
operations, and development of forest-based industries. The DENR shall institute
9 
measures to develop an open and competitive market for forest products including
10 
among others the liberalization of forest products harvesting, transport, and
11 
marketing.
12 
Sec. 19. Export o f Certified Forest Products. -  No person shall sell or offer for
13 
sale any forest resources in the international market without complying with the
14 
certification system established by the Government. Failure to adhere to the
15 
established standards, or any act of falsification shall be sufficient cause for the
16 
cancellation of export licenses and other permits authorizing the manufacture or sale
17 
of such resources.
18 
Sec. 20. Regulation o f Forest-Based Industries. -  All processing plants using
19 
forest resources as raw materials shall be subject to existing regulations prescribed
20 
by law, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System: Provided,
21 
That these processing plants are registered with the Department of Trade and
22 
Industry as well as clearance from the Local Government Unit to operate.
23 
Sec. 21. Enhance Private Investments and Economic Contribution. -  Forest-
24 
based industries shall be supported to promote global competitiveness, support
25 
domestic demands for wood and other products, and enhance economic contribution
26 
to the country. Appropriate incentives shall be provided such as but not limited to
27 
establishment of agroforestry economic zones in order to ease the conduct of
28 
business and attract local and foreign investments that are mutually beneficial to the
29 
government, concerned communities, partner organizations and the investors
30 
concerned.
31 
Sec. 22. Community-Based Forest Enterprises. -  Economic activities and
32 
practices of local communities, including indigenous cultural communities, and
10


1 
indigenous peoples, on forest-based enterprises, including non-timber forest
2 
products, that promote the sustainable use of forest resources shall be supported
3 
and promoted to address food security and improve quality of life.
4 
ARTICLE IV
5 
EMPOWERING AND ENABLING CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST
6 
MANAGEMENT
7 
Sec. 23. Forest Land Use and Tenure Instruments. -  The State, represented
8 
by the DENR, may undertake the exploration, development, and utilization of forest
9 
lands and forest resources found therein with qualified persons, whether natural or
10 
juridical, through tenure instruments.
11 
Sec. 24. Forest Management Agreement -  The State, through the DENR and
12 
a qualified person, whether natural or juridical, may enter into a Forest Management
13 
Agreement for the exploration, development, and utilization of forest lands and
14 
forest resources found therein. The Forest Management Agreement shall have a
15 
duration of twenty-five (25) years and may be extended for another twenty-five (25)
16 
years.
17 
Sec. 25. Scope o f Forest Management Agreement -  The Forest Management
18 
Agreement may be entered into for the following purposes:
19 
a. Agroforestry plantations (in accordance to the standards of the DENR) Forest
20 
plantation development;
21 
b. Forest plantation development with processing plant;
22 
c. Ecotourism development; and
23 
d. Special uses for forest lands;
24 
A Forest Management Agreement may be entered into for a single purpose or
25 
a combination of any of the abovementioned purposes.
26 
Sec. 26. Special Uses o f Forest Lands. A Forest Management Agreement may
27 
be entered into for a special use of forest land which shall include the following:
28 
a. Dry Dock Site;
29 
b. Industrial Processing Site;
30 
c. Herbal or Medicinal Plantation;
31 
d. Fish Drying Site;
32 
e. Communication Station Site;
11


1 
f. Public Landing Site or Airstrip;
2 
g. Log Pond or Log Depot;
3 
h. Lumber Yard;
4 
i. Motor Pool Site;
5 
j. Power Station Site;
6 
k. Transmission Line Site;
7 
I. Right-of-Way;
8 
m. Farm-to-Market roads;
9 
n. Government Facility Site (e.g. schools, clinics, satellite offices among others);
10 
0. Water Reservoir;
11 
p. Renewable Energy Projects:
12 
Provided, That for government facilities or infrastructures like farm-to-market
13 
roads, public school sites, public hospitals or clinics, etc. shall be free from any fees,
14 
charges, or other pecuniary obligations under the Forest Management Agreement.
15 
Sec. 27. Qualified Persons. -  The following persons are qualified to enter into
16 
a Forest Management Agreement with the State:
17 
a. Filipino citizens;
18 
b. Corporations or associations at least sixty percent of whose capital is owned
19 
by Filipinos;
20 
c. Local government units, when the purpose of the Forest Management
21 
Agreement is for public use or the establishment of government centers and
22 
facilities; or
23 
d. Other National Government Agencies or Government-Owned or Controlled
24 
Corporations, when the purpose of the Forest Management Agreement is for
25 
national interest, like transmission 
lines, water reservoirs, or distribution 
lines
26 
for electricity.
27 
Sec. 28. Production Sharing. -  The following schemes shall be observed by
28 
the Parties to a Forest Management Agreement in relation to the sharing of benefits
29 
derived from the agreement:
30 
a. Forest Plantations, Forest Plantations with Processing Plants. The sharing of
31 
outputs from Forest Management Agreements entered into for the purpose of
32 
developing and managing forest plantations, and forest 
plantations with
12


1 
processing plants shall be based on the total gross output of the plantation
2 
harvests. Said sharing shall be done in a manner advantageous to national
3 
interest without prejudice for incentives that may be prescribed by the DENR.
4 
b. For ecotourism purposes, the person who entered into a Forest Management
5 
Agreement with the State for the purpose of ecotourism or other special uses
6 
for forest lands shall have the obligation to pay an annual user's fee
7 
equivalent to five percent (5%) of the nearest commercial zonal value per
8 
square meter or a fraction thereof.
9 
c. Government Facilities or Infrastructures. Non-income generating government
10 
facilities such as public school sites, public hospitals or clinics, government
11 
center or offices, roads, farm-to-market access roads, and public buildings are
12 
exempt from paying any fee or other pecuniary obligation with the State.
13 
Provided, that the use of these establishments or infrastructures shall not be
14 
subject to privatization.
15 
Sec. 29. Forestry Research, Education, Training, and Extension. -  The
16 
Research 
and 
Technology 
Department 
of the 
Ecosystems 
Research 
and
17 
Development Bureau, Forest Products Research and Development Institute,
18 
universities, and other research institutions shall be strengthened to support
19 
sustainable management of forest resources. For this reason. Forestry Development
20 
Center of the University of the Philippines Los Banos shall lead in forest policy
21 
research in collaboration with schools, universities, and colleges (SUCs) as well as
22 
other stakeholders.
23 
The DENR, the Department of Science and Technology, the Commission on
24 
Higher Education, and Universities, within one (1) year from the passage of this Act,
25 
shall prepare a comprehensive sustainable national forestry and environmental
26 
research and technology development and transfer program in furtherance of
27 
sustainable forest management, which shall be implemented, monitored, and
28 
reviewed in accordance with existing research management systems.
29 
The Continuing Professional Development shall be promoted and upheld
30 
through selected universities and training institutions on forestry and natural
31 
resources management subject to the Professional Regulation Commission's
32 
accreditation system. Forestry education in the Philippines shall be rationalized to
13


1 
ensure the quality of formal forestry education and establish, support and sustain
2 
the national and regional centers of development and excellence in forestry and
3 
environmental education to develop high quality human resources and promote
4 
global competitiveness. The Commission on Higher Education shall include forest
5 
ecology and environment courses in general education curricula. The DENR shall
6 
formulate a nationwide program for sustained public information and advocacy
7 
campaign for forests and natural resources conservation, sustainable forest
8 
management, and climate change.
9 
Sec. 30. The Sustainable Forest Development Fund. A Sustainable Forest
10 
Development Fund (SFDF) is hereby established to provide concessional financing
11 
particularly for forest development projects proposed by qualified managers of
12 
FMUs. Said Fund shall be administered by a Government Financial Institution as a
13 
trust account managed under the "capital preservation" principle.
14 
The preferred government financing institution (GFI), together with the
15 
DENR, shall invest at most 75% of the net interest income from loans to forest
16 
development - support facilities including but not limited to road networks, seedling
17 
nurseries, water supply systems, and research facilities subject to recommendation
18 
by the FMB.
19 
The SFDF may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from
20 
various sources local and international sources.
21 
In addition, at least seventy percent (70%) of forest charges and government
22 
share collected, including proceeds from the sale of confiscated forest resources,
23 
machinery, equipment, and tools, fines, and penalties shall be set aside for the
24 
SFDF.
25 
Moreover, securitization, payment for ecosystem services and collaborative
26 
investments shall be encouraged to support sustainable forest management and
27 
enterprises and the conservation of forest-based biodiversity in the Philippines.
28 
The DENR shall include in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
29 
the guidelines for the management, development, and operationalization of the
30 
SFDF, in coordination with other concerned agencies civil service organizations.
31 
Sec. 31. Importation and Sale. -  Forest resources may be imported into the
32 
country, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. All imported forest
14


1 
resources shall comply with the Philippine National Standards to be developed by the
2 
Department of Trade and Industry in coordination with the Forest Products Research
3 
and Development Institute and the DENR. Compliance with these standards shall be
4 
a precondition for the sale or disposition of these products in the Philippines.
5 
ARTICLE VI
6 
ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNANCE
7 
Sec. 32. Creation o f the Position o f Undersecretary for Forestry. -  There is
8 
hereby created in the DENR the position of Undersecretary for Forestry who shall
9 
perform the following functions:
10 
a. Oversee the provision of technical, marketing, financial, tenurial 
and
11 
infrastructure support to persons and entities engaged in FMU management;
12 
b. Ensure watershed-based planning and monitoring processes are observed in
13 
forestry-related developments;
14 
c. Facilitate institutional linkages and convergence initiatives among forestry
15 
stakeholders in support of effective development and management of forest
16 
lands consistent with its protection and production uses;
17 
d. Provide 
scientific 
information-based 
policy 
recommendations 
in 
aide
18 
sustainable forest management; and
19 
e. Promote cost-effectiveness of forestry investments among 
local 
and
20 
international 
investors 
and 
donors 
in 
iine 
with 
sustainabie 
forest
21 
management.
22 
The Undersecretary shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the
23 
Philippines, whose office, structure, and staffing, shall be determined by the
24 
Secretary subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
25 
Sec. 33. Reconstitution o f the Forest Management Bureau. -  The Forest
26 
Management Bureau is hereby reconstituted as a line bureau under the DENR, which
27 
shall be responsible for the administration, management, development, and
28 
protection of forest lands and forest resources of the country, with functions
29 
specifically as follows:
30
15


1 
a. Implementation of all policies, plans, programs, projects and activities
2 
concerning forest lands v/ith provision for effective feed-backing and reporting
3 
mechanisms;
4 
b. Ensure sufficient provision of technical, marketing, financial, tenurial and
5 
infrastructure support to persons and entities engaged in FMU management;
6 
c. Enforce watershed-based planning approaches in all forest-land development
7 
and management endeavors;
8 
d. Encourage the participation of forestry stakeholders through multi-sectoral
9 
consultative bodies in all forestry-related consultative processes;
10 
e. Develop and implement an effective geographical information system in aide
11 
of forestry planning, monitoring and policy formulation;
12 
f. Monitor and evaluate the physical, environmental and socio-economic
13 
outcomes in the management of all FMUs; and
14 
g. Formulate and publish periodic reports informing stakeholders of the status of
15 
the Philippine forest lands using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
16 
Sec. 34. Composition o f the Forest Management Bureau. -  As a line bureau,
17 
the FMB shall be headed by a Director and assisted by two (2) Assistant Directors
18 
who shall supervise the administrative and technical services of the Bureau
19 
respectively. There shall be a FMB Regional Director in each administrative region
20 
with corresponding offices and positions.
21 
Sec. 35. Assistance o f Law Enforcement Agencies. -  Local Government Units,
22 
the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the DENR, may, when they
23 
deem necessary, call upon law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the
24 
Government such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the
25 
Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Bureau of
26 
Investigation (NBI) for the enforcement of environmental laws, executive orders,
27 
and their implementing rules and regulations.
28 
Sec. 36. Creation o f Community-based Law Enforcement Team. -  The
29 
Community-based Forest Law Enforcement Team (CFLET) shall be organized with
30 
members composed of representatives from direct stakeholders in a particular
31 
watershed. Said Team shall be deemed as quick responders on complaints to be
32 
augmented or reinforced by the Forest Ranger. 
Funding for CFLET's operational
16


1 
requirements shall be sourced from agreed contributions from FMU Managers agreed
2 
with the DENR, proceeds from sale of confiscated forest products, donations from
3 
various sources.
4 
Sec. 37. Local Government Units. -  Enabling mechanisms shall be developed
5 
to enhance the participation of the local government units in the sustainable
6 
management and utilization of forest resources within their territorial jurisdiction,
7 
including those assigned by law to other government agencies.
8 
LGUs with forest lands inside their jurisdiction shall align their CLUPs, local
9 
development plans, disaster risk reduction management plans and other required
10 
plans according to the objectives specified herein and in the protected area
11 
management plans.
12 
Sec. 38. Other Government Agencies. -  Forest lands or portions thereof,
13 
which have been placed under the administration and management of other
14 
government agencies, shall remain under the administration and management of the
15 
said government agencies; with the DENR exercising oversight power over these
16 
areas; Provided, That their administration and management shall be based on the
17 
policies, strategies, and programs that are consistent with the provision of this Act;
18 
Provided, 
further, 
That the 
concerned 
agencies 
shall 
submit 
an 
annual
19 
accomplishment report to the DENR.
20 
Sec. 39. Multi-Sectoral Consultative Bodies in Relation to Natural Resources
21 
Governance. -  A technical and multi-sectoral consultative body involving all
22 
stakeholders concerned within a watershed shall be convened by the DENR pursuant
23 
to this Act, specifically for each FMU and cluster of FMUs as appropriate and shall be
24 
consulted at least once a year to review and make recommendations on watershed-
25 
based management related policies at the local and regional level. Further, the DENR
26 
shall extend technical assistance to multi-sectoral bodies organized for the purpose
27 
of policy-making in relation to environment and natural resource governance
28 
specifically on forest governance issues.
29 
Sec. 40. Function o f Multi-sectoral Consultative Bodies. -  The body shall be
30 
responsible for the over-all policy direction in the management of the forest lands
31 
and forest resources found within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with
32 
the provision of this Act. Specifically, it shall:
17


1 
a. Review and recommend implementation of programs and projects;
2 
b. Perform oversight functions on matter pertaining to the environment and
3 
natural resources; and
4 
c. Participate in the review and recommend relevant policies for the protection,
5 
conservation, and restoration efforts within the watershed in ensuring
6 
significant contribution of the forestry sector to national economy, ecological
7 
sustainability, and sustainable development closely adhering to the principles
8 
and priority programs of the Government.
9 
Said body may also facilitate the initiation of the LGUs' participation in the
10 
devolution program and monitoring the transfer and implementation of devolved
11 
functions to the LGUs.
12 
Sec. 41. Power and Water Utility Service Providers. -  Forest lands or portions
13 
thereof, which have been placed by law or agreement under the administration and
14 
management of government and private power and water utilities service providers,
15 
shall be included in the partitioning of forest lands into appropriate categories
16 
consistent with the purpose of the assigned forest land, and shall remain under the
17 
administration and management of the said utilities service providers concerned;
18 
Provided, That the DENR shall exercise oversight power on the planning,
19 
management, utilization, and assessment of all forest resources in these areas.
20 
Sec. 42. Governance Mechanism. -  The following mechanisms shall be
21 
developed, established, and used for the sustainable forest management:
22 
a. The principles and practices of transparency, accountability, and participatory
23 
decision-making, in transactions, decision, and actions affecting forestry, in
24 
all levels, and the policy of streamlining, decentralization, devolution, and
25 
deregulation shall be adopted, promoted, and institutionalized in the DENR.
26 
b. Updating and preparation of forest land use plans shall be integrated with the
27 
updating and preparation of comprehensive land use plans of local
28 
government units.
29 
c. Networks and linkages with local and international institutions, civil society
30 
organizations, local government units and industries involved in the
31 
promotion and practice of sustainable forest management shall be
32 
strengthened.
18


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
d. The DENR shall prescribe appropriate fees and government shares for 
different kinds of utilization, exploitation, occupation, possession, or activities 
within forest lands, as well as the corresponding administrative fees for 
permits, agreements, and other services.
e. The DENR shall have the authority to impose other fees for payment for 
ecosystem services and forest protection, management, reforestation, and 
development. In addition, the DENR may waive fees and charges on 
government activities within forest lands that supports public utility, social 
welfare, national security, or national interest.
f. 
The DENR shall undertake the monitoring and control of forest management 
and utilization through a third-party audit and certification. A National Forest 
Certification System shall be established which will outline the policy, rules, 
procedures, 
and 
management for 
implementing 
forest 
management 
certification and chain-of-custody certification in the country. The DENR shall 
develop pertinent guidelines, in coordination with all stakeholders, for the 
implementation of this provision subsequent to the effectivity of this Act.
g. The DENR shall establish a forest management information system which 
consists of comprehensive up-to-date information on the physical, social, 
financial, economic, biological, and environmental components of the 
country's forest lands and forest resources. It shall include a continuous 
monitoring system to track the utilization and movement or transfer of forest- 
based goods and services, the changes in the state of forest resources and 
ecosystem services, and its drivers. It shall include further a ground-based 
validation system as basis for assessing progress towards sustainable forest 
management.
h. It shall be the priority of the State to ensure that government employees 
involved in the implementation of the sustainable forest management law are 
properly trained, sufficiently equipped, adequately compensated, and given 
ample opportunities to participate in its implementation. The DENR and other 
agencies involved shall appropriately provide funding for the same.
19


1 
ARTICLE VII
2 
OFFENSES AND PENALTIES
3 
Sec. 43. Harvesting, Gathering, Coiiection, or Possession o f Forest Resources
4 
from Protection Forest Lands. -  Any person who shall harvest, gather, collect, or
5 
possess any forest resource from protection forest lands shall be punished with
6 
imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and
7 
one (1) day and/or a fine equivalent to ten (10) times the value of the said forest
8 
resource. The Forest Protection Officers shall have the authority to estimate the
9 
present market value of the forest resources subject of the illegal harvest, gathering,
10 
collection or possession based on the guidelines promulgated by the DENR.
11 
In case of partnerships, associations, or corporations, the president,
12 
managing partner, or general manager shall be held liable.
13 
In case of aliens, the Bureau of Immigrations shall deport them without
14 
further proceedings after paying the fine imposed.
15 
Sec. 44. Illegal Harvesting, Gathering, Collection, or Possession o f Forest
16 
Resources as an Act o f Economic Sabotage. -  Any of the acts enumerated in the
17 
preceding section shall be considered as an economic sabotage when committed by:
18 
a. At least two or more persons through an organized and systematic manner;
19 
and
20 
b. Any person, when the amount of forest resources harvested, gathered,
21 
collected, 
or 
possessed 
amounts 
to 
at 
least 
One 
million 
pesos
22 
(P1,000,000.00).
23 
The penalty of imprisonment for twenty (20) years and one (1) day to forty
24 
(40) years shall be imposed.
25 
Sec. 45. Grazing Livestock in Forest Lands without Authority. -  Any person
26 
found to have caused the grazing of livestock in forest lands without an authority
27 
from the DENR shall be punished with the imprisonment of two (2) years, four (4)
28 
months, and one (1) day to four (4) years and two (2) months. The livestock shall
29 
be confiscated in favor of the Government.
30 
Sec. 46. Unlawful Occupation o f Forest Lands. -  Any person who, without the
31 
authority from the DENR, possesses or occupies any parcel of forest land shall be
32 
punished with a penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve
20


1 
(12) years and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)
2 
but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
3 
Sec. 47. Destruction o f Forest Lands. -  Any person who shall destroy or cause
4 
destruction within forest lands or assist, aids, or abets another person to do so, shall
5 
be punished with a penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to
6 
twelve (12) years, and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos
7 
(P100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
8 
Sec. 48. Unlawful Operations o f Sawmills, Wood Processing Plants, and
9 
Forest-Based Industries. -  Any person operating sawmills, wood processing plants,
10 
and forest-based industries without any authority from the DENR, shall be punished
11 
with a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12)
12 
years and a fine of not less than Five hundred pesos (P500,000.00).
13 
If the offender is a public official or employee, the accessory penalty of
14 
disqualification for holding any public imposed for a period of twelve (12) years and
15 
one (1) day. If the offender is an official or an employee of the DENR, the accessory
16 
penalty of permanent disqualification shall be imposed.
17 
All forest resources, machinery, equipment, and tools pertinent to the
18 
operations of the abovementioned establishments shall be confiscated in favor of the
19 
Government.
20 
Sec. 49. Prohibition on the Issuance o f Land Titles or Tax Declarations on
21 
Forest Lands. -  All land titles and tax declaration issued over forest lands shall be
22 
deemed void ab initio. Any person who shall issue land titles and tax declarations
23 
over any forest land or a parcel thereof shall be punished with imprisonment of six
24 
(6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One
25 
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than five hundred thousand pesos
26 
(P500,000.00). the accessory penalty of disqualification shall be imposed for a period
27 
of twelve (12) years and one (1) day.
28 
Sec. 50. Non-Payment and Non-Remittance o f Forestry Fees and Charges. -
29 
Any person who fails to pay the amount due and payable as forestry fees or charges
30 
to the government or remit the same to the proper authorities shall be punished
31 
with a penalty of imprisonment for a period of six (6) years and one (1) day to
21


1 
twelve (12) years with a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos
2 
(PlOO,000.00) nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
3 
Sec. 51. Non-Establishment o f Tree Parks and Green Spaces. -  Every local
4 
government unit shall establish and maintain tree parks and green spaces pursuant
5 
to their comprehensive land use plans. Funds for the establishment and
6 
maintenance of the same shall form part of the local government unit's annual
7 
budget.
8 
Every owner of land subdivided into residential, commercial, or industrial lots
9 
shall reserve, establish and maintain at least thirty percent (30%) of the total land
10 
area of the subdivision, exclusive of roads, service streets and alleys as green space
11 
for tree parks.
12 
No subdivision plan shall be approved by the Housing and Land Use
13 
Regulatory Board unless at least thirty percent (30%) of the total area of the
14 
subdivision has been reserved as green space. The owner must develop the green
15 
space within three (3) years from the approval of the subdivision plan.
16 
Any local government unit or owner of a parcel of land subdivided into
17 
residential, commercial, or industrial lots who fails to establish green spaces or tree
18 
parks as provided in the preceding paragraphs shall be penalized with a fine of not
19 
less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) nor more than One million
20 
pesos (P1,000,000.00).
21 
Sec. 52. Illegal Conversion o f Tree Parks and Green Spaces. -  Any person
22 
who shall convert or cause to convert any tree park or green space for a purpose
23 
inconsistent with that which is provided for by this Act shall be punished with a
24 
penalty of imprisonment for six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years
25 
and/or a fine not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) nor more
26 
than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
27 
If the offender is a public official or employee, the accessory penalty of
28 
disqualification is imposed for a period of twelve (12) years and one (1) day. If the
29 
offender is an official or an employee of the DENR, the accessory penalty of
30 
permanent disqualification shall be imposed.
31 
Sec. 53. Arrest and Detention. -  If the apprehension was conducted in
32 
remote areas far from the place where persons authorized to conduct inquest
22


1 
proceedings are located, the delivery to the proper judicial authorities shall be done
2 
within a reasonable time period, taking into consideration the ordinary travel time
3 
from the place of arrest to the place of delivery.
4 
In order to facilitate the delivery of arrested persons for violations of this Act,
5 
the Department of Justice shall designate in every city and province a special
6 
prosecutor who shall be responsible for filing appropriate charges against arrested
7 
offenders.
8 
Sec. 54. Public Auction o f Forest Resources. -  If the confiscated forest
9 
resources are in danger of deteriorating, the DENR may order that the same be sold
10 
at public auction even before the termination of the judicial proceedings, with the
11 
proceeds kept in trust to await the outcome of the judicial proceedings.
12 
Sec. 55. Authority o f Forest Protection Officers. -  When in the performance of
13 
their officials duties, forest protection officers or other public officials or employees
14 
authorized by the DENR, shall have free access into forest lands or any parcel
15 
thereof.
16 
They are also authorized to search the exterior and interior of all vehicles
17 
suspected to contain illegally harvested, collected, or gathered forest resources:
18 
Provided, That the search is done in the presence of the apprehended persons and
19 
two (2) public local officials.
20 
Finally, forest protection officers are authorized to administer oaths, take
21 
acknowledgements in official matters connected under the authority of this Act and
22 
its implementing rules and regulations.
23 
ARTICLE V III
24 
ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
25 
Sec. 56. Administrative Authority o f the Secretary or his Duly Authorized
26 
Representative to Order Confiscation. -  In all cases of violations of this Act or other
27 
forest laws, rules, and regulations, the Secretary or his duly authorized
28 
representative may order the confiscation of forest resources illegally harvested,
29 
collected, gathered, possessed and those that are abandoned. This authority shall
30 
extend to all conveyances used either on land, water or air as well as machinery,
31 
equipment, implements, and tools used in the commission of the offense and to
32 
dispose of the same in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
23


1 
Sec. 57. Administrative Authority o f the Secretary to Impose Fines. -  In all
2 
cases of violations of this Act and other forest laws, rules, and regulations where fine
3 
is the principal penalty, the Secretary or his duly authorized representative, after the
4 
consultation with the forest-based industries affected, is hereby authorized to
5 
impose administratively the penalty consisting of the amount and the schedules of
6 
the fine which shall be officially published in a national newspaper of general
7 
circulation.
8 
Sec. 58. Fines Escalation Clause. -  The fines herein prescribed shall be
9 
increased by at least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for
10 
inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines.
11 
Sec. 59. Informant's Incentive. -  Twenty percent (20%) of the value of
12 
confiscated materials shall be used as incentives to informants including forest
13 
management councils, forest management boards. They shall also be entitled to free
14 
legal assistance should cases be filed against them in the performance of official
15 
duties.
16 
Sec. 60. Suits and Strategic Legal Action Against Public Participation and the
17 
Enforcement o f this Act. -
18 
a. A legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any legal
19 
recourse that any person, institution, or the government has taken or may
20 
take in the enforcement of this Act, protection of the environment or
21 
assertion of environmental rights shall be governed by this Section.
22 
b. A suit and strategic legal action against public participation may be interposed
23 
as a defense by a person involved in the enforcement of environmental laws,
24 
protection of the environment, or assertion of environmental rights. The suit
25 
or strategic legal action shall be supported by documents, affidavits, papers,
26 
and other evidence. The person involved in the enforcement of environmental
27 
laws may also by way of counterclaim, pray for damages, attorney's fees and
28 
costs of suit.
29 
The court shall direct the plaintiff or adverse party to file an opposition
30 
showing the suit is not valid as a defense, attaching evidence in support thereof,
31 
within a non-extensible period of five (5) days from receipt of notice that an answer
32 
has been filed.
24


1 
The suit or strategic legal action shall be set for hearing by the court after
2 
issuance of the order to file an opposition within fifteen (15) days from filing of the
3 
comment or the lapse of the period.
4 
c. The hearing on the suit or strategic legal action shall be summary in nature.
5 
The parties must submit all available evidence in support of their respective
6 
positions. The party seeking the dismissal of the case must prove by
7 
substantial evidence that his act for the enforcement of this Act is a legitimate
8 
action for the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of the environment.
9 
The Party filing the action assailed as a SLAPP shall prove by preponderance
10 
of evidence that the action is not a SLAPP and is a valid claim.
11 
d. The affirmative defense of a SLAPP shall be resolved within thirty (30) days
12 
after the summary hearing. If the court dismisses the action, the court may
13 
award damages, attorney's fees and costs of suit under a counterclaim if such
14 
has been filed. The dismissal shall be with prejudice.
15 
If the court rejects the suit or strategic legal action, the evidence adduced
16 
during the summary hearing shall be treated as evidence of the parties on the merits
17 
of the case. The action shall proceed in accordance with the Rules of Court.
18 
Sec. 61. Citizen's Suit -  Any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or
19 
administrative action with the proper court against:
20 
a. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its
21 
impiementing rules and regulations;
22 
b. The DENR or other implementing agency with respect to orders, rules, and
23 
regulations issued inconsistent with this Act;
24 
c. Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act
25 
specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and
26 
regulations; or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty; or in any
27 
manner impropierly performs his duties under this law or its implementing
28 
rules and regulations.
29 
However, no suit can be fiied until after a notice of vioiation is sent to the
30 
alleged offender within thirty (30) days starting from the date of the occurrence of
31 
the violation.
25


1 
Sec. 62. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The DENR, in consultation
2 
with other government agencies and relevant stakeholders charged with the
3 
administration and enforcement of this Act shall promulgate the necessary
4 
implementing rules and regulations within one (1) year from the effectivity of this
5 
Act.
6 
Sec. 63. Transitory Provisions. -  Upon the approval of this Act, the DENR shall
7 
evaluate the conditions of all forest lands covered by existing tenure instruments,
8 
agreements or contracts, permits, and the like, which shall be allowed to continue
9 
until their expiry unless otherwise earlier terminated for cause.
10 
Sec. 64. Separability Clause. -  Should any provision of this Act be
11 
subsequently declared not constitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity
12 
or the legality of the other provisions.
13 
Sec. 65. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
14 
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
15 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
16 
Sec. 66. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date
17 
of its publication in the Official Gazette and a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
26