EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1691
FILED
DATG
IWDEX
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FOREST STUDIES AND 
DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY 
(CSU), DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, under Article XIV, Section 2 provides that, 
" The State establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and integrated 
system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society." The productivity 
of the country's forestry sector has been on a downward trend, but its contribution to 
the economy is still substantial in terms of gross value added, employment and export 
earnings.
The Caraga State University (CSU) is located in the Timber City of the South, 
the City of Butuan, the regional center of the Caraga Region. Supplying about seventy 
percent (70%) of the country's log output, the region is known as the Timber Corridor 
of the Philippines. CSU is one of the leading forestry and agro-forestry schools in the 
country with its graduates topping and dominating the forestry licensure exams in the 
last five years. Apart from being the top university in these fields, its location is 
undoubtedly the most strategic for forestry research and development.
In order to foster a dynamic space for forest studies and advance the 
development of the forestry profession, this bill seeks to create the Forest Studies and 
Development Center in the Caraga State University which will provide vital research 
support for the restoration, protection, and sustainable management of Philippine 
forests. Moreover, this will purse immediate and effective measures in rehabilitating 
our degraded forests.
In view of the foregoing, the speedy passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1691
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FOREST STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT 
CENTER IN THE CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU), DEFINING ITS 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Forest Studies and
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Development Center in the CARAGA State University Act."
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SEC. 2. Location. - The Forest Studies and Development Center shall be based
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in the Caraga State University in Butuan City.
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SEC. 3. Delegation of Authority to the Board of Regents. - The Board of Regents
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of the Caraga State University is hereby authorized to establish the Forest Studies and
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Development Center under the direct supervision of the Office of the President of the
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University, which shall have a faculty and staff with expertise in the disciplines of
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forestry, botany, zoology, agriculture, and environmental protection.
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SEC. 4. Creation and Objectives of the Center. - There is hereby created a
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Forest Studies and Development Center in the Caraga State University with the
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following objectives:
protection, and sustainable management of
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a. To foster the restoration,
Philippine forests;
b. To develop and strengthen technical partnerships with relevant government 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and other 
stakeholders in the field of forestry;
c. To develop advocacies and competent professionals in the field of forestry;
d. To strengthen the research component including the publication of papers 
and research findings in the field of forestry;
e. To train and advance the technical, scientific, and management skills of 
forestry professionals to ensure the integrity of our forests;
f. To organize and hold local, regional, or international forums, seminars and 
conferences on best practices and developments in the field of forestry.
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SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
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this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations of the year following its
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enactment into law and thereafter.
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in the Official Gazette ox In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,