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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny’’ F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The growing concern for ecological balance has been motivated by the natural disasters. 
Disastrous floods and droughts had been contributing to the general decline in the 
productivity of lowland fanns and fishing grounds. These calamities can basically be 
attributed, in one way or another, to the environmental degradation, and more 
specifically, to the diminution of our forests. 
With the natural disasters that our country has been experiencing through the past decade, 
a legislation that can address the problem of forest destruction through the establishment 
of systems for forest management is necessary. Indigenous people and other communities 
whose livelihood depend on the forest have the strongest incentive for ensuring the 
conservation and sustainable use of our forests. 
This bill provides for a Community-Based Forest Management Program (CBFMP) to be 
undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of 
Interior and Local Government, and local government units. With this, indigenous people 
and other forest communities will he empowered to mange, develop, utilize and protect 
forest resources in a sustainable way. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested 
* T i L  
AN 0 IO “SONNY” F. TWLANES IV 
Senator 
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a )  ’’ 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPURLIC OF THE PETLE’PINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” P. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST 
RESOURCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by ihe Senute und House ofRepresentutives ojthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Sustainnble 
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Munugement of Forest Act of 2009. ” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In conformity with the provision of the 
Constitution to promote the general welfare and social justice in all phases of national 
development, to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and 
healthy ecosystem in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve 
and develop the patrimony of the nation, the State hereby adopts the following policies 
relative to the management of forests and their resources on a sustainable basis: 
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(a) Sustainable and integrated management and development of forest 
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resources. The management and development of forest resources in an 
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integrated and sustainable basis, focusing on the resource and the people who 
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manage and benefit from it, shall be the guiding principle in the management, 
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protection, conservation and development of forest resources, hazardous or 
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less hazardous areas that may be declared as such by the Secretary of National 
Defense; 
(b) Watershed as the basic forestland management unit. Forestland 
management plans shall be developed and implemented utilizing the 
watershed as the basic management unit. Thc forestlands shall be managed 
under the concepts of sustainable and multiple-use, including the conservation 
of the bio-diversity. 
(c) Community-based forest management (CBFM) as the principal strategy. 
This involves the vesting of access rights and responsibilities to local 
communities and Indigenous People's (IPS) to promote the management and 
development of forestland 'resources " on a sustainable basis. It shall have 
precedence over the other strategies. 
(d) Multi-Sectoral participation. The .participation of all sectors of society in 
sustainable forestland management and development shall be promoted. 
Equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the forestlands shall be ensured. 
(e) Reforestation and agroforestry as priority measures. RefOreStdtiOn, 
.agoforestry and other appropriate measures including assisted natural 
regeneration (ANR) shall be given emphasis in order to rehabilitate and 
restore productivity of denuded and degraded lands as well as increase income 
of the marginalized sectors of society. 
(f) Protection and rehabilitation of forestlands as priority. Protection and 
rehabilitation of forestlands including all protected areas shall be given 
priority to ensure environmental stability, enhance biological diversity and 
provide economic benefits. 
(g) Permanency of forestland limits. The specific limits of forestlands after 
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'these have been fixed and demarcated shall not be altered except through the 
Act of Congress. 
(h) Forest resources to promote the common good. The use of forest resources 
shall bear a social function, responsibility and accountability to promote the 
common good. 
(i) Professionalism in forest service. A dynamic professional and people- 
oriented forest service shall be established and fully supported. 
0) Security of tenure. In pursuance of the principle of multi-use forest 
management, a secured tenure shall be guaranteed by the State. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Term. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall have 
the corresponding meanings: 
a. Agrofore,Jfry - refers to a sustainable management of lands which increases 
their overall productivity by properly combining agricultural crops andor livestock with 
forest crops simultaneously or sequentially through the application of management 
practices which are compatible with tHe local climate, topography, slope and soil as well 
as with the cultural patterns or' customary laws of the local population. 
h. Alienable and Disposable Lands - are those lands of the public domain which 
have been delineated, classified and declared as such and available for disposition under 
Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, otherwise known as the Public Land Act. 
c. Ancestrul Domain - refers to all lands and natural resources occupied or 
possessed by indigenous cultural communities, by themselves or through their ancestors, 
communally or individually, in accordance with their customs and traditions since time 
immemorial, continuously to the present except when interrupted by war, force nzujeure, 
or displaced by force, deceit or stealth. 
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d. Annual Allowable Harvest - refers to the amount or volume of materials, 
whether of timber, non-timber or other forest products, authorized by the government to 
be harvest within each year from the forests. 
e. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) - refers to systematic and sustained 
prevention of fire, care and tending of naturally-growing seedlings, and other related 
activities implemented to expedite the restoration of forest cover, including trees, brush 
and associated vegetation through the natural process of biological succession. 
f Biological Diversity. - means the variability among living organisms including, 
inter-alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of 
which they are part, this include diversity within species, between species and ecosystems 
g. Brushlands - refer to areas characterized by discontinuous cover of shrubby and 
.non-woody vegetation including grasses usually as a result or repeated clearing and 
burning of the original forest cover 
h. Buffer Zones - are areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to 
protected areas designated as such pursuant to Section 8 of the NIPAS Act that need 
special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area. 
i. Commercial Logging - refer to cutting or felling of trees in all types of forests 
for the purpose of disposing of the cut or felled logs for monetary profits beyond survival 
and livelihood means. 
j. Communal Forest - refer to a tract of forestland set aside and established for a 
city, municipality or barangay for protection, watershed management, eco-tourism and 
related environmental purposes, or for implementation of socio-economic development 
pursuant to and consistent with the CBFM strategy as described herein. 
k. Communiry-Based Forest Management Strategy- 'refers to all organized efforts 
of government to work with communities in and adjacent to public forest lands with the 
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intent to empower them, and entrust to them the protection, rehabilitation, management, 
conservation, and utilization of the forest lands and resources therein. 
1. Conveyance - refers to any vehicle, vessel, device or animals used in 
transporting forest products. 
m. Co-Production Agreement - is an agreement entered into by and between a 
qualified persods and the government for the former to develop, utilize and manage, 
consistent with the principle of sustainable development a specified portion of the 
forestland wherein both parties agree to provide inputs and share the products or their 
equivalent cash value. 
n. Critical Watershed - is that portion of a watershed reservation which has been 
classified as strict protection zone and closed to all human activity except for scientific 
studies, or for, traditional, ceremonial, or religious use by indigenous peoples. 
0. Department - refers to the department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
p. Environment Impact Assessment (@A) - refers to the process of predicting the 
likely environmental consequences of implementing projects or undertakings, and 
designing the appropriate preventive, mitigating or enhancement measures. 
q. Environmental Compliance Certificate - refers to the document issued by the 
Department certifying that a proposed project or undertaking will not cause a significant 
negative environmental impact; that the proponent has complied with all the requirements 
of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system, and that the proponent is 
committed to implement its approved Environment Management Plan in the EIS or 
mitigation measures in the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). 
r. Environmental lmpact Statement (EISJ System - refers to the entire process of 
organization, administration, and procedures institutionalized for purposes of assessing 
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biological and socio-economic environment, and designing appropriate mitigating and 
enhancement measures. 
s. Flitch - refers to a large piece of sawn log or, as that term is commonly applied, 
to a part of a log of a greater thickness than a plank or board 
t. Forest - refers to either natural vegetation or a plantation of forest crops such as 
trees, or both, occupying a definable, unintempted or contiguous areas exceeding but not 
less than one hectare in size with three crown covering at least ten percent (10%) of the 
.area, exclusive of the associated seedlings, saplings, palms, bamboos and other 
undercover vegetation. A natural forest is a stand dominated by trees whose structure, 
functions and dynamics have been largely the result of a natural succession process. It 
includes such stand types as dipterocarp, pine, mossy, molave, beach and mangrove. For 
the purpose of this Act, natural forests may be classified according to 1) primary use and 
management objective, and 2) growth formation. In terms of primary use and 
management, a forest shall either be classified as 1) protection forest; 2) production forest 
or 3) multiple-use forest after its most suitable function has been determined pursuant to 
this Act. In terms of growth formation, a natural forest is classified as either 1) primary or 
old-growth forest which has not never been subjected to significant human disturbance, 
or has not been significantly affected by hunting and gathering of forest products, such 
that its natural structure, functions and dynamics have not undergone any major change; 
or 2) managed forest as herein defined. 
u. Forest Charges - refer to levies imposed and collected by the government on 
timber and other forest products. 
v. Forest Community . is a group of people residing inside or immediately 
adjacent to a particular forestland who are largely or partly dependent on the forest 
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resources found therein for their subsistence. 
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w. Forestlands - refer to lands of the public domain which have been classified as 
such pursuant to this Act and all unclassified lands of the public domain. 
x. Forest OSficer - refers to any public officer who by nature of hidher 
appointment or the functions of the position to which hehhe is appointed, is delegated by 
law and regulations or commissioned by competent authorities, to execute, implement or 
enforce the provisions of this Act and other related laws and regulations. 
y. Forest Plantation - refers to a tract of land extensively planted to forest trees, 
rattan, bamboo, and all other forest species. 
z. Forest Resources - refers to all natural resources whether biomass such as 
plants and animals or non-biomass such as soil and water as well as intangible services 
and values present in forestlands or in other lands devoted for forest purposes. 
aa. Grazing Land - refers to a part of the forestland designated and managed for 
the raising of livestock. 
bb. lndigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) - refers to a group of people living in 
homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who have 
continuously lived as an organized community on communally bounded and defined 
territory, and who have continuously lived as an organized community on communally 
bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time 
immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of 
language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through 
resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous 
religious and cultures, because historically differentiated from majority of the Filipinos. 
lCCs shall likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their 
descent from the populations which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or 
colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religious and cultures, or the 
establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, 
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economic, cultural and political institutions, but who may have been displaced form their 
traditions domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains. As used in 
this Act indigenous cultural community is synonymous with indigenous people (IP). 
cc. Industrial Forest Plantation or IFP - refers to any tract of land and other 
public and private lands planted to timber producing species, including rubber and/or 
non-timber species such as rattan and bamboo, primarily to supply the raw material 
requirements of existing or proposed forest-based industries, energy-generating plants 
and related industries. 
dd. Joint Venture Agreement - is an agreement whereby a joint-venture company 
is organized by the government and a qualified person, with both parties having equity 
shares, to develop and manage, consistent with the principles of sustainable development, 
a portion of a forestland under terms and conditions mutually acceptable to both parties 
ee. Kaingeros - refer to upland farmers who practice slash-and-burn or shifting 
cultivation. 
ff Munaged Forest - refers to a forest under deliberate system of protection, 
rehabilitation and development which may include utilization of resources, to ensure the 
production of desired products and services, and the conservation of soil, water, wildlife 
and other natural resources therein for the benefit of present and future generations. 
gg. Multiple Use - refers to harmonized utilization, development and management 
of forestland for the production of two or more products, goods and/or services in 
conformity with the principle of sustainable development. 
hh. National Park - refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness 
character which has been withdrawn for settlement, occupation or any form of' 
exploration except in conformity with an approved management plan and set aside as 
such primarily to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic 
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objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in 
such areas 
ii. Non-Government Organization (NGO) - refers to a responsible non-stock, non- 
profit organization created or established primarily for voluntary service 
jj. Permit - refers to the privilege granted by the government to a person to utilize 
forest and wildlife resources, or to undertake specified forestry activities inside the 
forestland which may or may not include any right of possession and occupation therein, 
or to establish and operate a plant for processing timber, non-timber or other forest 
products. 
kk. Person - refers to a natural as well as a juridical person 
11. Processing Plant or Mill - refers to a physical structure including its 
complement of machinery and equipment used for processing of timber or logs, other raw 
wood, non-timber or other forest products into semi-finished or finished forins. 
mm. Production Sharing Agreement - is a contract wherein the government grants 
to a person the privilege to mange, develop and utilize forest resources within a specific 
area and period of time, with the grantee providing the financing, technology, 
management, personnel and other inputs necessary for the implementation of the 
agreement, and both parties sharing the benefits under terms and conditions set forth in 
the agreement. 
nn. Protected Areas - are those areas defined and designated as such pursuant to 
Republic Act no. 7586 or NIPAS Act. 
00. Reforestation - refers to all land use activities directed towards the restoration, 
establishment and sustained management of diversified vegetation on denuded, degraded 
andor marginal lands, including but not limited to the planting and tending of timber, 
orchard and multi-use trees, perennial leguminous vines (Le. cover crops), grass, shrubs, 
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vegetative hedgerows grown on contours, the establishment of check dams and other 
measures which contribute to sell and water conservation. 
pp. Reservation - refers to an area of forestland that has been reserved by law for 
a specific purpose. 
qq, Rotation - refers to the number of years between the initial establishment of a 
plantation and the time when it is considered ready for harvesting. 
rr. Secretary - refers to the Secretary of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources. 
ss. Semi-Jinished Wood Products - refer to end products requiring final stages of 
manufacture andor assembly such as, but not limited to, window components, table tops, 
veneer and other similar products. 
tt. Sustainable Development - means meeting the needs of the present generation 
without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. 
uu. Sustuinable forest Management and Development - is the process of 
managing, developing, and utilizing forestland resources to achieve the production of 
desired products or services without impairing the inherent productivity of the forest 
thereby insuring a continuous flow or these products or services. 
vv. Tenure - means guaranteed peaceful access to and use of specific forestland 
area and the resources found in it by an agreement, contract or grant which cannot he 
altered or abrogated without the process. 
ww. Tiber License Agreement or TLA - refers to a privilege granted by the State to 
a person to utilize forest resources within a forestland with the right of possession and 
occupation thereof, to the exclusion of others, except the Government, but with the 
corresponding obligation to develop, protect and rehabilitate the same in accordance with 
the terms and conditions set forth in the said agreement. 
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xx. Trade - mans the act of engaging in the exchange, purchase or sale of forest 
products locally or internationally. 
yy. Watershed - is a land area drained by a stream or a fixed body of water and its 
tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff 
zz. Wutershed Reservation - refers to a forestland defined in this Act and those 
that have been proclaimed by law as such, primarily for water production purposes. Other 
compatible uses may be allowed by the SecretaIy under the sustainable and multiple-use 
management concept. 
aaa. Wildlfe - means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna. 
bbb. Wood-Bused Industries - refer to various industries that are dependent on 
wood as the principal raw material including but not limited to, the saw milling industry, 
pulp and paper industry, plywood and veneer manufacturing industry, as well as the 
secondary and tertiary wood processing industries such as mouldings, and furniture, 
among others. 
CHAPTER 11 
LIMITS AND CLASSIFICATION OF FORESTLANDS 
SEC. 4. Limits of Permanent Forestlands. - The permanent forestlands shall be 
those lands of the public domain classified and delimited pursuant to this Act. 
All, land of the public domain classified as forestlands by the Department as of 
December 1994, under its Land Classification Program are hereby declared as permanent 
forestlands. 
Within twenty-four (24) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Department 
shall submit to Congress maps of appropriate and uniform scale indicating, by province, 
the specific limits of land already classified as permanent forestlands pursuant to the 
immediately preceding paragraph. 
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The Department shall complete the classification of the remaining unclassified 
land of the public domain within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. All such 
lands which shall be classified as forestlands shall also be declared as permanent 
forestlands upon submission by the Department of Congress, of the maps of said 
forestlands; Provided, That no lands of the public domain eighteen percent (18%) or over 
in slope shall be classified as alienable and disposable lands: Provided, further however, 
That those forestlands with well-established communities duly recognized in writing 
under the Local Government Code and RA 8371 shall be allowed to continue occupying 
and using the specific areas they present occupy and use, subject to such rules and 
regulations the Department may provide to ensure sustainable land-use management, and 
tenure security, and : Provided, jhally, That all Department records pertaining to the 
specific limits of forestlands shall be made available to the public upon request. The 
Department shall furnish all provincial, municipal and city government units copies of 
the maps of permanent forestlands located within their respective territorial jurisdiction. 
SEC 5. Additional Areus to be Included as Permanent Forest Lunds.- The 
following lands, although below eighteen percent (18%) in slope, are needed for 
environmental ' 29 protection and forestry purposes and shall not therefore, be classified 
as alienable and disposable lands, nor be subject to, logging, mining, quarrying, and such 
other form of occupancy, land use or resource extraction activities: 
a. Areas less than two hundred fifty hectares (250 ha.) which are far from, or not 
contiguous with any certified alienable or disposable land; 
b. Isolated patches of forest of at least five hectares (5 ha.) which rocky terrain or 
which protect a spring for communal sue; 
c. Areas of not less than ten hectares (10 ha.) covered with natural forest; 
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d. All mangroves and swamplands which are not yet classified as alienable and 
disposable lands; 
e. Ridge tops and plateaus regardless of size found within or surrounded wholly or 
partially by forestlands where headwaters emanate; 
f Appropriately located road rights-of-way; 
g. Twenty-meter (20 m,) strips of land along the edge of the normal high 
waterline of rivers and streams with channels of at least five (5) meters wide, which are 
not classified as alienable and disposable; 
h. Strips of inangrove or swamplands at least twenty (20) meters wide, along the 
shoreline facing oceans, lakes and other bodies of water, and strips of lands at least 
twenty (20) meters wide facing lakes, which are not yet classified as alienable and 
disposable; 
i. Areas needed for other purposes of public interest such as national parks, 
national historic sites, game refuge and wildlife sanctuaries, forest station sites, 
researcWexperimenta1 purposes, and others; 
j. Areas previously proclaimed by law as forest reserves, national parks, game 
refuge, bird sanctuaries, national shrines, national historical shrines, and national historic 
sites; 
k. Areas within watershed reservations; and 
1. Areas considered environmentally critically because of their vulnerability to 
damage from typhoons, landslides, volcanic eruptions and natural causes. 
Owners who have acquired vested rights over lands enumerated above are 
required to implement soil and water conservation measures in coordination with the 
Department and the appropriate local government unit. An Environmental Compliance 
Certificate (ECC) shall be required for environmentally critical projects in accordance 
with existing law. Provided, That the Department and/or the local government unit 
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concerned shall immediately take the necessary steps to expropriate the property 
concerned or cancel or amend any titles issued thereon under any of the following 
conditions: 
a. Failure of the owner, after due notice, to implement appropriate soil and water 
conservation; 
b. Failure of the owners to comply with ECC requirements; 
c. The issuance of titles or other tenurial instruments over such areas was 
accomplished through fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or other anomalies; and 
d. When public interest so requires. 
SEC. 6. Non-Diminution of the Specijlx Limits of Forestlands. - The specific 
limits of the permanent forestlands as determined in accordance with Section 4 and 5 of 
this Act shall not be altered except by an Act of Congress. 
SEC. 7. Delineation of Boundaries of Forestlands. - The Department shall 
within three (3) years upon the effectivity of this Act delineate on the ground. the 
boundaries between the permanent forestlands and alienable or disposable lands with 
concrete monuments, road or infrastructure, or any other visible permanent and practical 
signs. The Department shall allocate funds for appropriation in the annual General 
Appropriations Act for the purpose of land classification and boundary delineation of 
forestlands. 
SEC. 8. Sub-classiJicntion of the Forest Land - The Department shall have the 
authority to sub-classify the permanent forestlands into the following categories 
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according to primary use: 
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a. Protection forests - all areas within the forestlands designated or set aside as 
protected areas pursuant to the NIPAS Act shall constitute the protection forest. All 
mossy and old growth forests shall also be classified as protection forests. The 
establishment and management of protection forests shall be in accordance with the said 
NIPAS Act. 
b. Production forests - all permanent forestland not classified as protection forest 
pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph (a) shall be classified as either 
production forests devoted to production of forest products, other crops and services, or 
as multiple-use forests consistent with the definition set forth in Chapter I, Section 3, 
paragraph (ff) hereof. The management of production forests shall be in accordance with 
a management plan based on sustainable for management principles and approved by the 
Department. In the implementation of sub-classification, the Department shall consult 
with the concerned communities, local government units and other stakeholders. 
Documentary evidence of consultation initiatives, such as corninunity assemblies, public 
hearings and the like shall be included in the official records covering each sub- 
classification exercise. 
CHAPTER III 
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FOREST LANDS 
SEC. 9. Jurisdiction and Control of Forestlands. - The Department shall be the 
primary agency responsible for the conservation, management and utilization of all 
forestlands and the unclassified lands of the public domain. The Department in 
coordination with Local Government Units and other government agencies pursuant to 
Section 10 and 11 hereof, shall ensure that forestlands and unclassified lands of the 
public domain are managed, conserved, developed, utilized and protected consistent with 
the policies promulgated in this Act. The utilization and development of forestlands 
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and unclassified lands of the public domain including the natural resources therein shall 
be undertaken in accordance with a Department approved sustainable watershed 
management plan. 
SEC. 10. Purticipution of Local Government Unas in Forest Manugement - 
Pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code, the Local Government Units (LGU) shall faithfully share the 
responsibility in the sustainable management and utilization of forest resources within 
their temtorial jurisdiction including those assigned by law under the administration of 
other government agencies as defined in Section 11, hereof. The LGU and the 
Department, in consultation with other government agencies, local communities, non- 
government organizations and other sectors, shall jointly undertake the preparation and 
implementation of forestland use and watershed management plans which shall be made 
an integral component of the LGU's comprehensive land use development plan The 
LGU shall be consulted on any and all forestry projects to he implemented in their 
territorial jurisdiction and shall have equitable share of the revenues derived from the 
forest, For this purpose, the Department, the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), the leagues of provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays shall, 
within one (1)ye ar from the passage of this Act, formulate a joint strategy and program to 
implement the provision of this Act. Nonparticipation, refusal or inaction of LGUs to 
faithfully share the responsibilities as herein provided shall constitute an express waiver 
to participate in forest management and the equitable share of incomes derived therefrom. 
SEC. 11. Forestlands Under Other Government Agencies. - Forestlands and or 
portions of such, which have been assigned by law under the administration and 
management of other government agencies for specific purposes, including those 
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devolved to LGUs prior to the passage of this Act, shall remain under the administration 
and management of these government agencies. These agencies shall be responsible for 
their protection, rehabilitation and conservation. These forestlands shall be administered 
in accordance with a forest management plan, which shall be prepared within one year 
from the effectivity of this Act, in coordination with the Department, LGUs, local 
communities and organization. Provided, That the Department and the concerned LGU 
and the concerned government agency shall periodically review and of forest products 
particularly timber, and building of roads and other infrastructure shall require prior 
authorization of the Secretary of the Department. The Secretary or his duly-authorized 
representative shall have visitorial and supervisory powers over forestlands placed under 
the administration and management of other government agencies. Provided, find&, That 
these forestlands, or portions thereof, shall be reverted to the jurisdiction and control of 
the Department when they are no longer needed for the purpose for which they have been 
constituted, or in the event of failure of the agency concerned to rehabilitate, protect, and 
conserve he forestland resources in accordance with the approved management plan. The 
Department shall detennine the use of the reverted forestlands. 
SEC. 12. Forest Resources within Alienable and Disposable Lands. - The 
Department shall encouraged and provide incentives to land owners of alienable and 
disposable lands to keep the natural forest on their lands under sustainable management 
or develop and maintain a tree plantation on such lands. Landowners may register their 
forests with the Department and shall be assisted in the preparation of a management 
plan, and given other technical assistance. The utilization of trees and other forest 
resources shall be allowed in accordance with the management plan. 
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CHAPTER IV 
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES 
SEC. 13. Sustninnble Forest Mnnngement Planning. - The Department, in 
consultation and coordination with local government units and other concerned sectors 
such as but not limited to other government agencies, local communities, non- 
government organization, individual and corporate private investors and other sectors, 
shall adopt and implement a sustainable forest management plan for each well-defined 
watershed or other appropriate forest management unit. Within one (1) year from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department shall prepare a Sustainable Forest Management 
Strategy (SFMS) that will guide the preparation of site-specific forest management plans 
based on criteria, indicators and standards (minimum requirements) for sustainable forest 
management. The SFMS shall, at the minimum, address the following 
a. promotion of rational allocation of forestland uses and land use practices that 
increase productivity, and conserve soil, water and other forestland resources; 
b. protection of existing forest resources and conservation of bio-diversity; 
c. rehabilitation of denuded areas to expand the forest resource base, thereby 
promoting agricultural development and other food production activities; 
d. enhancement of the socioeconomic well-being of local communities including 
indigenous peoples who are largely dependent of the forest for their livelihood; 
e. observance of stakeholder participation through consultation between and 
among the Department, local government units, other national agencies, and civil society 
in the sustainable management of forest lands; 
f. adoption of Community-based forest management as the principal strategy in 
the management of forest land and resources, and the formulation of incentives designed 
to promote sustainable forest management pursuant to this strategy; 
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g. fonnulation of incentives designed to promote development and sustained 
profitability of the forest industry sector by private sector investors operating either 
independently or in collaboration with forest-based communities; 
h. integration of forest management plans with the local land use and 
development plans; and 
i. adoption of an effective system for monitoring forest management and status 
including optimum use of advanced technology such as, but not limited to, satellite 
imagery analysis. 
SEC. 14. Environmental Impact Assessment. - All new projects to be 
implemented in forestlands including harvesting, gazing and other special uses, mineral 
prospecting and exploration, road, infrastructure, and building construction shall be 
subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment System. 
SEC. 15. State of the Environment Report. - The Department shall conduct 
research to the extent and state of natural forests, including forest occupants in each 
region and province, furnishing annually both Houses of Congress a copy ofthe State of 
the Environment report. 
CHAPTER V 
COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT 
SEC. 16. Community-Based Forest Management Strategy (CBFMS). - Forest 
communities, indigenous peoples and other communities whose lives, culture and general 
well-being are intimately linked with the forests, shall be entrusted with the responsibility 
and the privilege to protect, manage, develop and utilize forest resources under the 
principle of stewardship. Pursuant to this policy, the State herein adopts Community- 
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Based Forest Management Strategy (CBFMS) as a principal strategy to achieve 
sustainable forestland management, social justice and economic development particularly 
in the rural areas. The Department shall formulate .policies and guidelines that simplify 
and facilitate access to and sustainable management of forestland resources by local 
communities. The Department shall furthermore develop policies, guidelines and 
incentives for private sector investors to enter into mutually beneficial relationships with 
communities in the pursuit of sustainable forest management, social justice and economic 
development particularly in the rural areas. The Department shall formulate policies and 
guidelines that simplify and facilitate access te and sustainable management of forestland 
resources by local communities. The Department shall furthermore develop policies, 
guidelines and incentives for private sector investors to enter into mutually beneficial 
relationships with communities in the pursuit of sustainable forest management. 
SEC. 17. Community Resources Management in CBFM Areas. - The 
management of forestland resources in CBFM areas shall be embodied in a Community 
Resource Management Plan which contains the community’s vision, aspirations and 
strategies in the management of forestland resources. The Department, local government 
units, other government agencies, non-government organizations, private companies and 
individuals and other sectors shalI provide these communities with appropriate long-term 
security of tenure; technical, managerial and financial assistance, training and other 
assistance to empower them to manage and benefit from the forestland resources on a 
sustainable basis. 
SEC. 18. Quulified Paiticipunts. - Only organized forest communities as defined 
in this Act shall be eligible to participate in the CBFM strategy. The indigenous people 
shall be encouraged to actively participate in the implementation of CBFM activities in 
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recognition of their rights to their ancestral domains and lands, All organizations eligible 
to participate in CBFM shall have the following qualifications: 
a. Members shall be Filipino citizens; and 
b. Members may either be: 
1. Actually tilling portions of the area to be awarded; 
2. Traditionally utilizing the resource for all or a substantial portion 
of their livelihood; 
3. Actually residing within or adjacent to the areas to be awarded; 
4. Tenured migrants as defined in R.A. 7586 
SEC. 19. Community-Based Management Special Account. - The Department 
shall establish and manage a Community-Based Forest Management Special Account 
(CBFMSA) to support the implementation of the CBFM strategy and provide financial 
and professional incentives for deserving communities and government personnel. The 
Department may source local and international grants and donations for the establishment 
of the CBFMSA. Other sources of funds may later be determined by the Department 
subject to existing government regulations. 
SEC. 20. Creation of Financing Mechanisms for CBFM. - The Department, in 
coordination with other agencies of government, shall develop measures for sustained 
financing to establish CBFM in all areas of the country. Towards this end, the 
Department shall prioritize the following: Within six (6) months from enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall organize a committee composed of duly-authorized 
representatives of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the Land Bank of the 
Philippines (LBP), the Government Service Insurance System (GSlS), the Social Security 
System (SSS), the Bankers Association of the Philippines and other government and 
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private financial institutions to formulate workable financing mechanisms and 
instruments to fund implementation of the CBFM strategy and its sub-strategies. The 
committee shall elect its chairman from among its members and shall, within one year 
from effectivity of this Act, prepare the necessary policies, guidelines and procedures for 
this purpose. 
a. In recognition of the favorable impact on water quality and supply that can be 
achieve through sustainable forest management, the Department, in collaboration with the 
Department of Local Government, and all government, semi-government and private 
agencies involved in water management and distribution, shall formulate policies, 
procedures and guidelines for collection of fees for water used for domestic, industrial 
and agricultural purposes, and allocation of such fees for watershed protection. The 
relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines shall be designed to ensure that the 
communities responsible for managing specific areas of forest land and resources are 
rewarded for the management and protection measures they apply, given the benefits of 
water supply that accrue to society at large as a result of their efforts. 
b. Within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the 
results of (a) and (b) above to Congress through the Office of the President for enactment 
of appropriate enabling legislation. 
SEC. 21. Areas Available for CBFM. - Subject to prior vested rights, the 
CBFMS shall be implemented on all public forestlands, ancestral domains of ICCs and 
on protected areas subject to the provisions of the NIPAS Law. CBFM may allowed by 
the Secretary in watershed reservations to promote adequate protection and rehabilitation 
provided that land-use practices and activities would not induce severe soil erosion and 
surface run-off. 
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SEC. 22. Recognition and Management of Ancestral Domains. - The 
recognition and management of ancestral domains shall be governed by the provisions of 
Republic Act 8371, otherwise known as the “Indigenous People’s (IPS) Rights Acts of 
1997.” The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) shall coordinate with 
the Department in providing assistance to the indigenous peoples in the sustainable 
management of forest resources within ancestral lands and domains. 
CHAPTER VI 
REFORESTATION PROGRAM 
SEC. 23. Reforestation in Forestland - Consistent with Section 13 hereof, the 
Department, in coordination with local government units (LGUs), other government 
agencies, NGOs, local residents and communities shall identify and prioritize forest lands 
to be reforested pursuant to the definition contained in Chapter I, Section 3, paragraph 
(nn) hereof and consistent with the land use of the LGUs. 
a. In each prioritize area, whether at the city, municipal or provincial level, the 
Department, in coordination with the concerned LGU, shall design an accelerated 
reforestation program designed to accoinplish reforestation on a least fifty percent (50%) 
of the prioritized area within five (5) years and eight percent (80%) of the area within ten 
(10) years from effectivity of this Act. 
b. To achieve the goals set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph (a), the 
Department shall develop strategies that promote and encourage broad-based 
participation of all sectors, particularly forest communities, LGUs, private investors and 
non-government organizations, in reforestation. 
c. In its annual budget submission to the Legislature, the Department shall include 
budgetary allocations in the General Appropriations Act in adequate amounts to 
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SEC. 24. Development of Protection Forests. - In the identification of target 
areas pursuant to Section 22 above, the Department shall prioritize establishment of tree 
cover, other diversified perennial vegetation and accompanying soil and water 
conservation measures on lands that have a direct impact on water supply and quality, 
bio-diversity and environmental protection, with special emphasis on lands covered by 
the NPAS Act. 
a. Pursuant to the sound principles of ecological succession, and to achieve 
optimum cost-effectiveness, assisted natural regeneration (ANR) shall he prioritized in 
the development of protection forests and not less than fifty percent (50%) of the 
Department's annual appropriations for development of protection forests shall be 
allocated for ANR implementation. 
b. Measures which harmonize human occupation and environmental protection 
shall be included in the development of protection forests including land terracing, 
establishment of vegetative hedgerows on contours, planting of fruit trees, bamboo and 
the like. 
SEC. 25. Development of Production Forests. - Reforestation strategies shall 
emphasize, prioritize and encourage the development of underutilized private land to 
eventually supply the major potion of timber, bamboo, rattan and other forest products 
needed to satisfy local demand and take optimum advantage of export opportunities. 
a. Towards this, end, the Department shall provide free technical assistance to 
landowners who wish to implement reforestation on their private lands. 
b. All trees and other forest products grown on private lands shall be considered 
agricultural crops belonging to the owner who shall have the right to sell, contract, 
convey, process or dispose of the same in any manner he/she sees fit. No forest charges, 
environmental fees or similar levies shall be imposed by national government agencies 
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andor local government units on such trees and other forest products grown on private 
land, nor shall any rules or regulations be enacted to control the transport of such 
products except those necessary to prevent accidents or damage to roads and other 
infrastructure. Furthermore, the owners shall he entitled to the incentives provided under 
Section 26, subsections (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) hereof. 
c. In addition to private land, the development of production forests on 
government land (i.e. forestlands) shall also he encouraged by way of long-term lease and 
other mechanisms formulated by the Department and consistent with the provisions of the 
Constitution and relevant legislation. The Department, in coordination with potential 
investors, shall identify denuded areas for development of production forests on 
government lands. 
d. The conversion of natural forests on government land to plantations or other 
land use shall he totally banned for a period of thirty (30) years from effectivity of this 
Act. 
SEC. 26. Reforestation or Establishment of Forest Plantation in Forest Lands 
Under Other Government Agencies. - Other government agencies and institutions 
having jurisdiction over forestlands as provided under Section 10 and 11 of this Act shall 
he responsible for the reforestation and rehabilitation of denuded and degraded portions 
ofthe forestlands under their jurisdiction. Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this 
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Act, such other agencieshstitutions shall formulate management plans for their areas, 
indicating therein the sites identified for reforestation, and sites that will be used for other 
purposes. These plans shall be subject to approval by the Department. Failure to reforest 
lands identified for the purpose within five (5) years from Department approval of the 
management plans shall he sufficient grounds to revert the said forestlands to the 
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jurisdiction and control of the Department. The Department shall provide necessary 
technical assistance upon request by the concerned agencies. 
SEC. 27. Incentives. - To encourage qualified persons to engage in forest 
plantation activities, the following incentives shall be granted, in addition to those already 
provided by existing laws: 
a. The agreement holder shall not be subject to any obligation prescribed or 
arising out of the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code on withholding tax at 
source upon interest paid on borrowing incurred for the development of forest 
plantations; 
b. Amounts expended by the agreement holder in the development and operation 
of a forest plantation prior to the commercial harvest, shall be regarded as ordinary and 
necessary expense as capital expenditure; 
c. The Board of Investments shall classify forest plantations as pioneer and 
preferred areas of investment under its annual priority plan subject to the rules and 
regulations of the said Board; 
d. The agreement holder shall be given priority in credit assistance granted by 
Government-owned, controlled and/or supported financial institutions. For this purpose, 
the Committee created under Section 19 of this Act and the Department shall withm one 
(1) year of the effectivity of this Act, create a favorable mechanism to support 
reforestation and establishment of forest plantations; 
e. Upon the premature termination of agreement at no fault of the holder, all 
depreciable including the planted, standing trees and other forest crops introduced and to 
be retained in the area shall be properly valuated and the holder shall be mutually agreed 
upon by both the Department and the holder and in case of disagreement between them, 
by a mutually acceptable impartial third party; 
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f No contract or agreement shall be terminated except for cause or for reason of 
public interest, and only after due process which informs the concerned parties of the 
intention to terminate and allows them to present their objections, comments or other 
relevant information; and 
g. The agreement holder has the right to transfer, contract, sell or convey his 
rights to any qualified person. 
The Secretary of the Department may provide or recommend to the President, 
other incentives in addition to those granted under this Section to promote reforestation 
.and establishment of forest plantations. 
SEC. 28. Voluntary Offer to Reforest - Private landowners, whether natural or 
juridical persons may participate in reforestation and plantation development or similar 
programs of the Department, with the landowner contributing his land and the 
Department furnishing funds to reforest the area; Provided, That the property shall be 
exclusively devoted to the planting of forest species for at least one (1) rotation, which 
undertaking shall be annotated at the back of the title of the property. 
SEC. 29. Establishment of Ci@ or Municipal Parks or Forests. - Every City or 
Municipality shall establish a city or municipal park or forest and shall include in its 
yearly budget the necessaq funds for its establishment and maintenance. The Department 
shall provide technical assistance to the city or municipality concerned upon request, and 
shall coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government, non-government 
organizations and other sectors to ensure compliance with this provision. The Department 
shall, upon request of concerned LGU, set aside areas for watersheds or other purposes 
that are consistent with forest conservation and protection of the environment. 
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SEC. 30. Establishment of Tree Parh in Subdivision and Providing Tree 
Planting on Roadsides. - Every subdivision project to be developed after the passage of 
this Act shall include the establishment of a tree park covering not less than fifty percent 
(50%) of the total open spaces required under existing laws and regulations. Guidelines 
for the establishment of tree parks within subdivisions shall be prepared jointly by the 
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and the Department. For every 
national, provincial, city or municipal roadhighway construction project, the Department 
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the concerned LGU shall include the planting 
and maintenance of tree andor perennial shrubs along the roadhighway, and 
establishment of roadside parks-cum-rest areas planted to trees andor perennial shrubs 
every fifty (50) kilometers along the roadhighway, and shall provide adequate funds for 
this purpose in the respective budget for roadhighway construction. 
CI-IAPTER VII 
FOREST PROTECTION 
SEC. 31. Commercial Logghg Activitfes. - In all forestlands as defined in 
Section 3 (w) hereof, there shall be a ban on all commercial logging activities for a period 
of thirty (30) years froin the effectivity of this Act, and the issuance of licenses, permits 
or agreements to harvest timber from natural forests in forestlands is hereby prohibited, 
except as provided under Section 33, hereof. Existing timber license agreement, licenses 
or permits shall be allowed to continue until their expiry, unless otherwise terminated for 
cause, Upon expiration of the thirty year ban, the commercial utilization forests may be 
allowed subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the Department. 
SEC. 32. Exemptions. - Community-based forest management projects, industrial 
forest plantations, tree farms, agro-forestry farms and other forest plantations including 
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bacauan and other mangrove forest plantations, communal forests, ancestral lands and 
domains with approved ancestral domain management plans, and research projects 
approved by government agencies concerned shall not be covered by Section 31 of this 
Act. Government projects and those of public utilities involving right-of-way, the 
development of mineral reservations and energy resource and the like shall be allowed 
subject to the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate by the Secretary of 
the Department. 
SEC. 33. Displaced Workers. - Workers of existing cominercial logging 
operations, including wood processing plants, who will be displaced as a result of this 
Act, shall be given priority in employment in government forestry programs including 
those mentioned in Sec. 15 of this Act as well as other reforestation programs for a period 
of four (4) years from the effectivity of this Act; Provided, That workers who are upland 
dwellers displaced as a result of this Act shall likewise be given priority for employment 
in said forestry and reforestation programs and in the allocation of forestlands for forest 
development and livelihood. 
SEC. 34. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agencies. - The Department shall 
deputize law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including, 
but not limited to, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), for the enforcement of 
the logging ban and for the conservation and protection of forests. The assistance of the 
NGOs, cooperatives, citizen groups and community organizations shall also be utilized 
for the same purpose. The Department of National Defense (DND), through the AFP, in 
close coordination with the Department, shall crate a special forest law enforcement unit 
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through a process jointly designed by the DND and the Department and composed of 
members recruited from the major service commands of the AFP. 
The special unit, jointly supervised by the DND and the DENR, shall provide 
effective protection of the country’s forestlands, including Protected Areas and areas 
which shall have been reforested. It shall likewise assist the government’s reforestation 
program in a capacity to be designated by the Department, including other tasks 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. 
The Secretary of Justice shall permanently designate a special prosecutor in every 
city and province to immediately file charges against forest violators and ensure their 
speedy prosecution. He shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to expedite 
the prosecution of offenses committed under this Act. 
SEC. 35. Role of Local Residents. - Qualified local residents may be deputized 
by the Department to assist in the protection of forests against illegal loggers, poachers, 
kaingeros and land speculators. They shall likewise be given the authority to arrest forest 
violators within their communities, subject to existing laws and regulations on arrest and 
detention. 
SEC. 36. Prevention of Forest Fires and Control of Forest Pests and Diseases. - 
The Department, in collaboration with the concerned local government unit, shall 
formulate and implement a program of fire prevention and control including incentives to 
LGUs, private organizations or individuals who participate actively in fire prevention and 
control to reduce damage to forest resources. 
The Department shall formulate and implement an integrated pest and diseases 
management program including quarantine procedures for imported seeds, animals, 
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plants and other forest products and plant parts to prevent and Control Forest pests and 
diseases. 
SEC. 37. Information and Reward System. - The Department shall establish an 
information and rewards system as part of the community’s participation in the protection 
of forest resources. The rewards shall be immediately payable upon the establishment of 
primafacie proof of violation. In cases where the infomation given leads to the seizure 
of logs, timber, and other forest products, and results in a conviction, the informer shall 
be entitled to twenty percent (20%) of the gross proceeds of the seized logsitimberiother 
forest products disposed of through public bidding which shall be payable within three 
(3) days after full payment by the winning bidder. 
CHAPTER W
I
 
FORESTRY RESEARCH, EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXTENSION 
SEC. 38. Research and Technology Development and Transfer, - Research and 
technology development transfer shall be strengthened to support sustainable 
management of forest resources. The Department, the Department of Science and 
Technology and the Colleges of Foreshy of State Universities shall withm one (1) year 
from the passage of this Act, prepare a research and technology development and transfer 
agenda for sustainable forest management, which shall be implemented, monitored, and 
reviewed in accordance with existing research management systems. Provided, That 
adequate and sustainable funds for research and technology development and transfer 
shall be provided under the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 39. Forestry Extension Service - Within one (1) year from effectivity of 
this Act, Department shall formulate a program for development of an effective 
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forestry extension service and include funds and plantilla for the same in its annual 
budget submission to Congress for inclusion in the General Appropriation Act. This 
program shall be revised and updated as needed to ensure Department capability to 
provide competent extension services to all sectors involved. or intending to participate in 
reforestation and other forest management activities on forestlands or privately-owned 
lands. 
The Department, through its forestry extension service, shall also develop a 
program to encourage land owners, especially those with lands above 18% slope, to 
forest their properties. 
SEC.40. National Public Information, Education and Advocacy Campaign. - 
The Department, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Education, 
Culture and Sports (DECS), State Universities and Colleges, Private Universities and 
,:Colleges, with support from LGUs, NGOs, media and other organizations, shall 
formulate and implement a sustained, nationwide, public information and advocacy 
campaign for forest and natural resources conservation and sustainable development. The 
DECS with the assistance of the Department and the College of Forestry departments of 
State Universities and Colleges, shall formulate curricula for forest and natural resources 
conservation, which the DECS will prescribe for inclusion in the curricula for elementary 
and high school education. Congress shall allocate funds for the purpose of supporting a 
systematic campaign to promote community ecological awareness throughout the 
country. 
SEC. 41. Formal Forestry Education, - The Commission on Higher Education 
and Development (CHED) in collaboration with the Department, Board of Foresters of 
the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and duly accredited Forestry 
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Professional organizations, s ha1 I actively pursue the rationalization of formal forestry 
education to ensure high quality inanpower output to meet the needs of the forestry 
sector. 
SEC. 42. Continuing Education in Forestty. - A non-formal program of 
continuing education shall be established to maintain the growth of the forestry 
professional. The Board of Foresters of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) 
and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall provide the guidelines for a continuing 
education program in forestry. The Department by itself or in cooperation with academic 
institutions shall develop the infrastructures to institutionalize non-formal continuing 
education for the forestry sector. 
SEC. 43. Establishment of Training Center. - The Department shall establish 
and institutionalize a network of training centers in strategic forest resources 
management, development, and utilization to forest officers, LGUs, NGOs and local 
communities including indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Department shall ensure 
that personnel appointed to critical and sensitive positions undergo training to prepare 
them to discharge their duties and responsibilities professionally, efficiently and 
effectively. 
SEC. 44. Forestry Development Center. - The Forestry Development Center 
(FDC) based in the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines at Los Bafios, 
established under Presidential Decree No. 1559, shall continue to serve as the primary 
policy research and development center for forestry and natural resources management. 
The Center shall perform its function in close coordination with the Department and other 
policy research institutions in the country. The Center shall assist the Department in 
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the formulation, review and evaluation of proposed and existing policies on forestry and 
natural resources management. As such, the FDC shall subinit a quarterly writtedfonnal 
report to the Secretary on policy research and development, formulation, review and 
evaluation of proposals and existing policies. To enable the Center to carry out its 
mandated functions, the Department shall provide financial support to the Center based 
on an approved program of activities, and which support shall not be less than five (5) 
million pesos yearly and shall be incorporated in the annual appropriations of the 
Department under the General Appropriations Act. 
CHAPTER M 
DISPOSITION AND UTILIZATION OF FOREST RESOURCES 
SEC. 45. Modes of Forest Management Agreement. - The development, 
utilization and management of forest resources on forestlands shall be under the full 
control and supervision of the Department. The State may directly undertake such 
activities or it may enter into co-production, joint venture or production sharing 
agreement with qualified Filipino citizens or corporations, subject to the relevant laws, 
rules and regulations; Provided, That interested members of forest communities as 
defined in Section 3 hereof, shall be given priority in the grant of said agreements; 
Provided, further, That all applications must be acted upon within a period of six (6) 
months. Failure to do so would be grounds for the filing of the appropriate administrative 
or criminal charges against the officer tasked to cany out the said function. Such 
agreements shall have a duration of twenty-five (25) years, renewable for another twenty- 
five (25) years under such terms and conditions as may be provided by the Secretary; 
Provided, That such agreements may not be terminated except for cause or when public 
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Current holders of existing and valid licenses, contracts or agreements granted by 
the government for the development, management and utilization of forest resources may 
be allowed to continue under the same terms and conditions until expiry of such 
license/contracts/agreements or the same may be converted into any other mode 
authorized under this Act and consistent with guidelines promulgated by the Department; 
Provided, That no such conversion will be allowed in protection forests as defined in 
Section 8 of this Act. The Department is hereby authorized to formulate rules and 
regulations covering the relevant terms and conditions thereof. 
SEC. 46. Transfer. - No holder of a co-production, joint venture or production 
sharing agreement or contract shall sub-contract, transfer, exchange, sell or convey the 
same or any of hisher rights or interests therein without authority form the Secretary, and 
any such change of rightsiinterests shall remain valid for the remaining unexpired term of 
the original agreement, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. 
Provided, That no transfer shall be authorized unless the agreement or contract has been 
in existence and active for at least three years: Provided, further, That the transferor has 
faithfully complied with the terms and conditions of the said agreement or contract; the 
transferee bas all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to bold the same; 
and the transferee shall assume all the obligations of the transferor. 
SEC. 47. Non-Timber Forest Products. - Rattan, bamboos, vines, herbs, exudates 
and other non-timber forest products are integral parts of the forest ecosystem. The 
planting and sustainable management of non-timber producing species shall be 
encouraged! and supported. The development, management and utilization of non-timber 
forest products shall be allowed in accordance with the guidelines to be promulgated by 
DENR. However, in granting permits to harvest or utilize non-timber forest products in 
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the natural forests, priority shall be given to local coinmunities or indigenous peoples 
living nearest the subject forestlands. 
SEC. 48. Grazing. - The Department shall identify areas in the production forest 
land suitable for grazing purposes. However, no forestland fifty percent (50%) in slope or 
over may be utilized for grazing purposes. 
a. Identified grazing land shall be turned over to the Department of Agriculture 
(DA) which shall be responsible for licensing utilization of the same through lease or 
other appropriate arrangement by private investors, and shall furthermore be responsible 
for supervising development and management of such lands for livestock production 
purposes; 
b. Within six (6) months from effectivity of this Act, the Department, in 
collaboration with the DA shall formulate and promulgate guidelines for the utilization, 
development and management of grazing lands including, but not limited to, 
prescriptions for pasture improvement, soil and water conservation, reforestation of lands 
over fifty percent slope and other relevant activities designed to ensure environmentally- 
sound management; 
c. Within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act, the DA in consultation with the 
Department and revenue collection agencies of the government, shall formulate and 
promulgate guidelines and criteria for establishing fees and charges covering utilization 
of grazing lands, the amounts of which shall be commensurate with a fair value due to 
government but not less than one hundred fifty pesos (P150.00) annually per hectare; 
d. Existing pasture lease a agreement/forest land grazing lease agreements shall be 
allowed to continue under the current terms and conditions for the unexpired term subject 
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e. The DA shall not issue any new permit, lease, or contract, nor such existing 
agreements be allowed to continue on grazing lands if not covered by the EIS and an 
ECC; 
f. Within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act, the DA, in collaboration with 
the Department shall conduct and complete a review of performance of existing pasture 
leaseiforestland grazing lease agreement/permits and cancel all such agreementipermits 
which are inactive or not in compliance with terms and conditions set forth in such 
agreementdpermits; and 
g. Forestlands that are the subject of cancellation shall be returned to the 
Department for rehabilitation protection and conservation. 
SEC. 49. Mining and Power Generation Operations in Forestlands. - Forest 
resources inside mineral lands are under the Department’s jurisdiction, and their 
management and utilization are subject to the provisions of this Act. Power generation 
and small scale mining operations in forestlands may be allowed only after the issuance 
of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). 
SEC. 50. Roads and other infrastructure. - Roads and other infrastructure inside 
forestlands shall be constructed with.the least impairment to the resource values found in 
such forestlands. Government agencies undertaking the construction of roads, bridges, 
communication and other infrastructure inside forestlands shall coordinate with and seek 
prior authority from the Department. 
Persons allowed to develop, explore or utilize forest resources as provided under 
Section 50 of this Act, may he allowed to construct roads and other infrastructure inside 
the forestlands in accordance with approved comprehensive management plans, and upon 
compliance with EIA and ECC requirements and upon authorization by the 
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Department. All roads and infrastructure constructed by forest management agreement 
holders and other pennittees, licensees, lessees shall belong to the State, and their use and 
administration shall be transferred to the government upon termination of the agreement. 
CHAPTER X 
FOREST -BASED INDUSTRIES 
SEC. 51. Establishment and Operation of Forest-Based Industries. - It shall be 
the policy of the State to assure the availability and sustainability of the country's forest 
resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, increase the 
productivity of forest resources to meet the demands for forest-based goods and services 
of a growing population; enhance the contribution of forest resources for achieving 
national economic and social development; and promote equitable access to forest 
resources. The State shall promote the establishment, operation and development of 
forest-based industries: Provided, That the Department shall regulate the establishment 
and operation of processing plants or mills for forest products. To achieve this policy 
statement, incentives shall be provided to forest-based industries 
SEC. 52. Incentives for Forest-Based Industries. - To enable forest-based 
industries to be efficient, competitive and economically viable, the following incentives 
shall be granted in addition to those already provided by existing laws: 
a. All processing plants or mills shall be granted operating permits with a duration 
of five (5) years and automatically renewable every five (5) years thereafter, subject to 
'compliance with the terms and conditions of such permits: Provided, That permits of 
processing plants owned or operated by holders of forest management agreements or 
contracts shall be co-terminus with the expiry of said agreements or contracts; 
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b. The Department shall provide incentives for the processing of lesser used and 
non-wood species, and all logging and wood processing wastes; 
c. The Department shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, 
submit to Congress, through the President of the Philippines, additional measures that 
need to be legislated and that are designed to improve the competitiveness and viability 
of forest-based industries; 
d. The Department shall promote and strengthen the linkages between corporate and 
community-based industries; aqd 
e. The Department may provide other incentives to forest-based industries as may be 
necessary. 
SEC. 53. Export and Sale of Timber Products. - Finished and semi-finished 
lumber products, wood manufactures and other finished wood products derived from 
local and imported logs and planted species shall be allowed for export. However, logs 
and unprocessed wood of naturally-grown species of whatever dimensions cut, gathered 
or removed from natural forests in forestlands shall not be exported. 
Exportation of logs, lumber and other finished products from plantations shall be allowed 
pursuant to such guidelines that the Department may promulgate. Furthermore, no 
restrictions, rules and regulations shall be imposed to prevent the export of timber and 
other forest products derived from plantations established o privately owned lands. 
No person shall sell or offer for sale any log, lumber, plywood or other 
manufactured wood products in the international or domestic market unless heishe 
complies with the grading rules and standards, or any act of falsification of the volume of 
logs, lumber, or other forest products in the international or domestic market shall be 
sufficient cause for cancellation of export license, wood processing permit, or other 
license or permit authorizing the manufacture or sale of such products. 
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SEC. 54. Importation of Logs and Other Forest and Wood Products. - Logs, 
lumber and other forest and wood based products may be imported subject to the tariff 
schedules and/or rules and regulations promulgated by the government. 
CHAPTER XI 
FOREST CHARGES, FEES AND RENTALS 
SEC. 55. Fees and Rentals for the Utilization, Exploitation, Occupation, 
Possession of and Activities within Forestlands. - The Department shall prescribe 
appropriate fees and rentals for the different kinds of utilization, exploitation, occupation, 
possession of, or activities within forestlands. Likewise, fees shall be collected for the 
filing and processing of application thereof as well as the issuance and renewal of license, 
permits and agreements. 
SEC. 56. Forest Charges, - Forest charges shall be collected on forest products in 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7161. The Department shall develop 
guidelines for the assessment and collection of forest charges. 
SEC. 57. Fees for Administrative Sewices Rendered by the Department. - Fees 
shall be collected for various administrative services rendered by personnel of the 
Department in connection with their duties and responsibilities as may be requested by 
interested parties, including but not limited, to surveying, mapping and other similar 
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CHAPTER x1I 
APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCING SUPPORT 
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SEC. 58. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
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SEC. 59. Funding. - In its budget preparation, the Department and the local 
government units shall allot adequate funds to effectively implement (CBFM) targets and 
shall ensure the inclusion of such budgetary allocations in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 60. Sustainable Forestry Development Fund - In order to provide 
sustainable funds for forestry development and protection activities such as reforestation 
and CBFM projects, a sustainable forestry development fund shall be created. At least 
thirty percent (30%) of the forest charges and government share in all products removed 
from the forestlands, rentals, proceeds from sales and confiscated forest products 
including conveyances, fines and penalties and administrative charges shall be collected 
and set aside for the buildup of sustainable forestry, development fund. 
The Department, through the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), in coordination 
with LGUs, NGOs, POs and government financial institutions shall create mechanism to 
manage the Sustainable Forestry Development Fund. 
CHAPTER XI11 
CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND PENALTIES 
SEC. 61. Harvesting, Gathering andor Collecting Timber or Other Forest 
Products Without Authority. - Any person who shall harvest, cut, gather, collect or 
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remove timber or other forest products form any forestland, or timber from natural forest 
inside alienable and disposable public land, without authority from the Secretary or who 
shall possess timber or other forest products without the pertinent required legal 
documents shall be punished by imprisonment ranging from prison mayor minimum 
period to reclusion temporal minimum period and/or a fine equivalent to ten times the 
value of the said forest products but not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO): 
Provided, that in case of partnership, associations or corporation, the president, managing 
partner, and general manager shall be liable, and if such officers is an alien, he shall, in 
addition to the penalty, be deported without further proceedings on the part of the Bureau 
of Immigration and Deportation. Offenders who are public 'officials shall be deemed 
automatically hsmissed from office and permanently disqualified from holding any 
elective or appointive position. All timber or any forest products cut, gathered, collected, 
removed or possessed and all the conveyances, machinery, equipment, implement, work 
animals and tools used in connection with this violation shall be seized and confiscated in 
favor of the government. 
SEC. 62. Illegal Cutting as an Act of Economics Sabotage. - If any acts 
enumerated in the preceding section have been committed by an armed group or 
organized group through conspiracy, threat, fraud or deceit the gathering, collecting or 
removing timber or other forest products from any forestland or alienable and disposable 
public land without any authority from the Secretary, or possession of timber or other 
forest products without the pertinent required legal documents shall be considered as an 
act of economic sabotage and shall be punishable by reclusionperpetua. 
SEC. 63. Use of Illegally Cut Timber in Government Infrastructure Projects. - 
Contractors of government infrastructure are required to obtain certification from the 
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Department that the lumbers used were form legitimate sources. Use of illegally cut 
timber in government infrastructure projects is prohibited and shall be sufficient cause for 
withholding of the payment of the contractor. Further, the contractor may be subject to 
the penalties provided under Section 72 hereof. 
SEC. 64. Dnmnge to Residunl Trees, - To ensure the sustainability of the forest, 
adequate number of residual trees shall be marked to form part of the managed forest and 
as the future timber crop before any harvesting operations commence. Any marked 
residual tree that is damaged is subject to a fine equivalent to four times the regular forest 
charges. 
SEC. 65. Grnzing Livestock on Forestlnnd Wthout a Permit. - Imprisonment for 
not less than two (2) years nor more than four (4) years and a 17 fine equivalent to ten 
times the regular rentals due in addition to confiscation of such livestock and all 
improvement introduced in the area in favor of the government shall be imposed on any 
person who shall, without authority under a lease or permit, graze or cause to graze 
livestock in forestlands, grazing lands and alienable and disposable lands, which have not 
yet been disposed of in accordance with the Public Land Act: Provided, that in case the 
offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the offer or director thereof who 
directly caused such shall be liable. In case the offender is a public officer or employee, 
he shall, in addition to the above penalties, be deemed automatically dismissed from 
office and permanently disqualified from holding any elective or appointive position in 
the government service. 
SEC. 66. Unlnwful Occupntion or Destructive of Forestlnnds. - Any person 
who enters, occupies or possesses or makes kuingin for his own private use or for 
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others, in any forestland, or .grazing land without authority from the Secretary, or in any 
manner destroys such forestland or part thereof, or causes any damage to the forests 
found therein, or assists, aids or abets any other person to do so, or sets a fire, or 
negligently permits a fire to be set in any forestland, be punished an amount of not less 
than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) nor more than one hundred thousand pesos 
(PlO0,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than twelve (12) 
years and a fine equivalent to eight times the regular forest charges due on the forest 
products destroyed without prejudice to payment of the full costs of rehabilitation of the 
occupied areas as 3etermined by the Department: Providedfurther, That the maximum 
penalty prescribed herein shall be imposed upon an offender who repeats the same 
offense for the third time or oftener. In all cases, the court shall further order the eviction 
of the offender form the land and the forfeiture to the government of all improvements 
made and all vehicles, domestic animals and equipment of any kind used in the 
commission of the offense. If not suitable for use by the Department, said vehicles, 
domestic animals and equipment and improvements shall be sold at public auction, the 
proceeds from which shall accrue to the Sustainable Forestry Development Fund. In case 
the offender is a government officer or employee, he shall, in addition to the above 
penalties, be deemed automatically dismissed from office and permanently disqualified 
from holding any elective or appointive position in the government service. 
If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence and 
payment of fines without any further proceedings. 
SEC. 67. Zllegal Acts on Wldlre. - It shall be unladul’ for any person to collect, 
catch possess, hunt, wound, kill, capture, or destroy the nest or eggs, host plants, trade, 
display or keep in petshops, flowershops, orchidariums, nurseries, and the like, threatened 
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wildlife, its by-products or derivatives or destroy the habitats of wildlife, including those 
designated as critical habitats. 
Any person violating this provisions shall be punished by imprisonment of six (6) 
years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and a fine of One Million Pesos 
(Pl,OOO,OOO.OO) for species listed under Cites I ; Seven hundred fifty thousand pesos 
(P750,OOO.OO) for species listed under CITES 11; and Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,OOO.OO) for threatened species. 
A criminal action for violation of this provision shall not bar the institution of a 
civil action for damages which may proceed independently. 
All wildlife and its derivatives or by-products, and all paraphernalia., tools and 
conveyances used in connection with violations of this provision shall be seized and 
confiscated in favor of the government. 
In case the offender is a government officer or employee, heishe shall, in addition 
to the above penalties, be deemed automatically dismissed form office and permanently 
disqualified from holding any elective or appointive position in the government service. 
If the offender is an alien, hehhe shall be deported after service of and payment of fines 
without any further proceedings. 
SEC. 68. Misdeclaration, falsification of Forest Resource Invent0 y, Scaling, 
Surveys and Reports by Government Official or Employee. - Any public officer or 
employee who knowingly misdeclares or falsifies forest resource inventory, scaling, 
surveys and other similar reports which are contrary to the criteria and standards 
established in this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall, after an 
appropriate administrative proceedings, be dismissed from the service and permanently 
disqualified from employment in any agency of the government. Upon conviction by a 
court of competent jurisdiction, the same public officer or employee shall further suffer 
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an imprisonment of not less than eight (8) years nor more than twelve (12) years and a 
fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,OOO.OO) nor more than One hundred 
thousand pesos (l00,OOO.OO). Furthennore, the subject inventory, survey, classification or 
report shall be null and void. 
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SEC. 69. Unlwful Operation of Processing Plants or Mills. Any person 
operating a processing plant or mill without authority from the Secretary of his duly 
authorized representative, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) and confiscation of the equipment and other paraphernalia 
in favor of the government. 
SEC. 70. Prohibition on lssuance of Tax Declaration of Forestlands. - Any 
public officer or employee who shall issue a tax declaration for any purpose of forestland, 
shall suffer imprisonment for a period of not less than four (4) years nor more 'than eight 
(8) years and perpetual disqualification from holding an elective or appointive office; 
Provided, That such tax declaration shall be considered null and void. 
SEC. 71. Unlwful Possession of Implements and Devices Used by Forest 
Officers. - Unlawful possession of official implements and devices used by forest 
officers, such as but not limited to marking hatchets, shall be penalized with 
imprisonment of not less than four (4) years nor more than eight (8) years and a fine of 
not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,OOO.OO) nor more than One hundred thousand 
pesos (PlO0,OOO.OO). In addition, the said forest officer responsible for faithful 
possession and use of such implement/device shall be dismissed form the service, with 
prejudice to reinstatement and with perpetual disqualification from holding any elective 
of appointive position. 
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SEC. 72. Unauthorized Introduction of Logging Tools and Equipment Inside 
Forestlands and National Parks. - It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to 
possess, bring or introduce inside forestlands any chainsaw, logging tools or equipment 
other than bolos and simple hand tools Without prior authority from the Secretary of his 
duly authorized representative. Any person found guilty of illegal possession of said 
chainsaw, logging tools or equipment shall be liable to imprisonment of twelve (12) years 
and one (4) day to fourteen (14) years and eight (8) months or fixed not less than Fifty 
thousand pesos (PS0,OOO.OO) nor more than One hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) 
or both, and confiscation of said logging tools and equipment. 
SEC. 73. Non-payment and Non-Remittance of Forest Charges. - Any person 
who fails to pay the amount due and payable to the government shall not be allowed to 
transport, convey, sell or use the forest product and failure to pay within thirty, (30) days 
upon assessment of forest charges, shall be a ground for the confiscation of the said forest 
product is favor of the government, pursuant to Section 60 of this Act. Any person who 
fails or refuses to remit to the proper authorities said forest charges collectible pursuant to 
the provisions of this Act or the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or who 
delays, obstructs or prevent the same, or who orders, causes or effects the transfer or 
diversions of the funds for purposes other than those specified in this Act for each such 
offense shall, upon conviction, be imprisonment for not less than six (6) years nor more 
than ten (10) years and be fined from twenty thousand pesos (P20,OOO.OO) to one hundred 
thousand pesos (PlO0,OOO.OO). If the offender is a govemment official or employee, 
he/she shall, in addition, be dismissed from service, permanently disqualified from 
employment or reinstatement and perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or 
appointive office. If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the officers 
and directors thereof shall be liable. 
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SEC. 74. Institution of Criminnl Actions by Forest Officers. - A forest officer 
shall arrest even without warrant any person who has committed or is about to commit, or 
is committing in his presence any of the offenses defined in this chapter. Heishe shall also 
seize and confiscate, in favor of the government, the tools, equipment and conveyances 
used in committing the offense, and the forest products cut, gathered, taken or possessed 
by the offender in the process of committing the offense. The arresting forest officer shall 
thereafter deliver within six (6) hours from time of arrest or seizure, the offender and the 
confiscated forest products, conveyances, tools and equipment, or the documents 
pertaining to the same, and file the proper complaint with the appropriate official 
designated by law to conduct preliminary investigation and file information in court. If 
the arrest and seizure are made in the forest far from authorities designated by law to 
conduct preliminary investigations, the delivery to and filing of the complaint with the 
latter shall be done within a reasonable time sufficient for ordinary travel from the place 
of arrest to the place of delivery. The seized products materials, conveyances, tools and 
equipment shall be disposed of in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the 
Department. The Secretary may deputize any agency, barangay or barrio official or any 
qualified person to protect the forest and exercise the powers or authority provided for in 
the preceding paragraph. In the case of reports and complaints regarding the commission 
of any of the offenses defined in this chapter not committed in the presence of any forest 
officer or any of the deputized officers but reported to a forest officer assigned in the area 
where the offense was allegedly committed and the latter shall promptly receive the 
evidence supporting the report or complaint and if such evidence is found sufficient file 
the necessary complaint with the appropriate official authorized by law to conduct a 
preliminary investigation of criminal cases and file an information in court. 
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SEC. 75. Liabiliw of Confiscating 0fflcers.- Any public officer who fails to 
produce the timber or forest products or any part thereof including tools, conveyances, 
equipment, machine and devices in his custody pursuant to a seizure or confiscation made 
thereon, or who shall appropriate, take, misappropriate, or permit any other person to take 
such timber or forest products wholly or partially, shall suffer the penalty provided for in 
Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code. In addition, the said public officer shall be 
dismissed from service permanently disqualified from employment or reinstatement and 
perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or appointive office. 
CJ3APTER XIV 
ADMIIYISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 76. Strengthening of the Forest Management Bureau and the Forest 
Management Sector. - In order to effectively implement the provisions of this Act, the 
Forest Management Bureau (FMB) shall be strengthened and shall have the following 
functions in addition to the functions enumerated under Executive Order No. 192: a) 
Coordinate and supervise the formulation and implementation of forestry policies, plans 
and programs; b) Lead in the monitoring and evaluation of these policies, plans and 
programs and the like; and c) Review and evaluate all applications for license, permits, 
joint-ventures, and management agreements for issuance and/or approval by the 
Secretary of the Department. To ensure that the scientific practice of forestry in the 
country is properly implemented, only registered foresters shall be appointed to the 
positions of Director and Assistant Director of the Bureau and Regional Technical 
Director of the Forestry Sector and all other forester positions, in accordance with 
existing Civil Service rules and regulations. 
The Forest Management Bureau (FMB) shall be organized into a line agency. The 
Secretary, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the 
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Department of Budget and Management (DBM), is hereby authorized to reorganize the 
Bureau and the forestry sector at the field level and create additional positions as may be 
necessary for community-based forest management, forest protection, and other programs 
mandated under this Act, and to upgrade the salaries of foresters and other forest officers. 
SEC. 77. Authority of the Secretary on the Utilization of Forest Resources, - 
The utilization of forest resources from natural forests found in forestlands, alienable and 
disposable lands not yet awarded to private individuals or entities, govemment- 
established reservations, and all other forestlands including those under ancestral domain 
claims and control or management of other government agencies, shall be prohibited 
except through valid license, permit, or other agreement approved by the Secretary or 
hisiher duly authorized representative. 
SEC. 78. Administrative Authority of the Secretary of his Duly Authorized 
Representative to Order Confiscation. - In all cases of violations of this Act or other 
forest laws, rules and regulations, the Secretary or his duly authorized representative may 
order the confiscation of forest products illegally harvested, cut gathered, removed or 
possessed or abandoned, and all conveyances used either by land, water or air as well as 
the machinery, conveyance, equipment, implement and tools used in the commission of 
the offense and to dispose of the same in accordance with pertinent laws, regulations or 
policies on the matter. 
If the confiscated forest products are in danger of deteriorating, the Secretary may 
order that the same be sold at public auctions even before the termination of the judicial 
proceedings, in which case the proceeds shall be turned over and entrusted to the court 
pending the outcome of such proceedings. 
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No courts of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any writ of replevin, 
restraining order, or preliminary mandatory injunction in any case involving or growing 
out of any action by the Secretary or his duly authorized representative in the exercise of 
the foregoing administrative authority. 
SEC. 79. Administrative Authority of the Secretary to Zmpose Fines. - In all 
cases of violations, forest officers of other government officials or employees duly 
authorized by the Secretary, shall have free entry into areas covered by a contract, 
agreement, license, lease or permit. Forest officers are authorized to inspect and open 
closed vans suspected to contain illegally harvested, collected or transported forest 
products, provided this is done in the presence of the shipper or consignee or two (2) 
responsible public officials in the locality. Forest Officers are authorized to administer 
oath, take acknowledgement in official matters connected with the functions of their 
office, take testimony in official investigations conducted under the authority of this Act 
and the implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant thereof. 
SEC. 80. Visitorial Powers. - The Secretary or his duly authorized representative 
shall, from time to time, investigate, inspect and examine records, and other documents 
except bank records related to the operation of any person granted the privilege or with a 
contract to utilize forest resources to determine compliance with the terms and conditions 
stipulated in the grant, the contract, this Act and pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 81. Other Incentives. - Twenty percent (20%) of the value of confiscated 
materials shall be paid as incentives to informants including members of Multi-Sectoral 
Forest may also be donated to LGUs and other government agencies for building 
government infrastructure, in recognition of their participation in forest protection 
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activities. Additional incentives may be provided by the Department, in addition to those 
provided under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or Workmen’s 
Compensation Law. They shall also be entitled to free legal assistance should legal cases 
be filed against them in the performance of official duties. 
SEC. 82. Protection for Wtnesses to WolutioWs of Forestry Laws. - Witnesses 
to violations of this Act or other forestry laws and regulations, including the immediate 
family members of said witnesses, shall be given protection, security and benefits, 
subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness 
Protection, Security and Benefit Act” and its implementing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 83. Implementzng Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary, within one (1) 
year from effectivity of this Act, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 84. Separabillty Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not effect the validity or the legality of the other 
provisions. 
SEC. 85. Repealing Cluuse. - Subsections (b), (d), (9, (g), and (i) of Section 4 of 
Act No. 3915; Republic Act No. 460; Presidential Decree Nos. 705, 1153, 1515, 1559, 
1775 and 1998; Letter of Instruction No. 818; Executive Order No. 277, and 278, series 
of ,1987, and Executive Order NO. 725, series of 1981, are hereby repealed, and all laws, 
orders, rules and regulations or any part hereof which are inconsistent herewith are 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
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circulation. 
SEC. 86. Eflectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
Approved, 
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