EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

"Introduced by Representative Rufus
4863
House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution states that,
“The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Further, our Constitution also mentioned that “forest lands and national parks shall be
conserved”,

Thus, this bill which is aimed to conserve, protect, and support the renewal program of
public forests, mangroves and the wildlife. Further, this bill seeks to formulate a program
to rehabilitate our forests which have been denuded

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

,
LT
RUFUS B. RO!



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

niroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodrigt
4863

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House Bill No.

AN ACT
TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT PHILIPPINE PUBLIC FORESTS, MANGROVES
AND WILDLIFE THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM OF
RENEWAL, REPLANTING AND REFORESTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 4. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as and cited as the “Comprehensive
Environment Program Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of National Policy and Program Framework, — It is hereby
declared the policy of the State to conserve, protect, and support the renewal program
of public forests, mangroves and the wildlife. To this end, the State hereby adopts the
following comprehensive program frameworks.

(a) The specific limits of public forests, national parks and other forest
reserve areas, including mangroves with forest cover, shall be
determined, by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources in consultation with various stakeholders including
individuals, non-governmental organizations and —_ public
associations representing environmental management, local
governments, academic community and others. Public
consultations shall be conducted

(b) Public forests under lease and/or which have been denuded and
deforested due to logging shall be reforested, with tree species of
its original forested state or similar species, and reclassified
protection and conservation forest.

(c) _ Mangroves without forest cover which have been utilized and cut to
the detriment of ecological balance and to the destruction of
marine, air and other wildlife which take sanctuary shall be
replenished with the mangrove and other species of plants and
reseeded with the wildlife which would naturally thrive therein


imnlamantatinn nf thie Act

() Virgin forests and public parks and forest reserves declared as
such shall in no case be opened for exploitation or reclassification
and shall remain so unless otherwise declared by law

(e) The protection of marine, air and wildlife, including the endangered
species of Philippine fauna shall be the ultimate objective of the

government

(f) Philippine flora, both natural to our forests and those which would
enhance ecological balance and the productivity and aesthetic
value of our public forests, shall be replanted and maintained in the
public forests

(a) Areas of the public forests leased or tolerated for use for social
forestry or agro-forestry shall be limited to the area and percentage
of the total public forests as may be indicated in the implementing
rules and regulations that will be issued for the purpose.

SECTION 3. Coordinating Council for the Conservation, Protection and Renewal of the
Nation's Patrimony. - There is hereby created a Coordinating Council for the
Conservation, Protection and Renewal of the Nation's Patrimony. The Council shall be
headed by the Secretary of Environmental and Natural Resources as Chairman, with
the Undersecretaries of Agriculture and of Education as Vice-Chairmen. The members
shall include three (3) representatives from the government sector and three (3)
representatives from the private sector appointed by the President of the Philippines
upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and
from the list of nominees submitted by the sectors themselves.

The Council shall formulate policies and develop projects to implement the
national policy and program framework as defined in this Act. It shall also promulgate
rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act and adopt a code of services
and guidelines to conserve, protect and renew the nation's patrimony.

To assist the Council, the Chairman shall designate an Executive Secretary and
a Secretariat from among the staff of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, with such allowances as may be approved by the Council. The per diems
and allowances of the Council shall be approved by the Council, subject to the existing
rules and regulations and auditing and accounting laws.

SECTION 4, Reforestation and Renewal Program by the Youth. — Subject to such rules
and regulations as the Council may promulgate, students and community youth below
the age of twenty-five (25) years, shall be harnessed for the reforestation and renewal
of public forests, mangrove and wildlife. Students who will render service as provided in
this Act may be credited with the required units for the National Service Training
Program

SECTION 5. Coordination with Agricultural and Fisheries Schools. ~ Subject to such rules
and regulations as the Council may promulgate, agricultural and fisheries schools, both


public and private, shall be encouraged to participate in the programs envisioned in this
Act

SECTION 6. Comprehensive Program. ~ In consultation with all stakeholders and various
sectors comprising the entire agriculture and fisheries sectors, agro-business and the
concerned academic communities, a comprehensive program including the projects that
may be supported by the Council shall be formulated to serve as guide for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Conservation, Protection and Renewal Fund. - There is hereby authorized
the amount of One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) for the operations of the Council, and
Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) for the projects under this Act to conserve, protect
and renew public, forests, mangroves, and the wildlife under the comprehensive
program framework of this Act.

Thereafter, the operating expenses of the Council and the projects planned and
implemented under this Act shall be included in the budget of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources as part of its annual appropriation

The Council may receive donations from national and international sources for
the implementation of this Act or for a specific project or projects.

Donations received shall be placed in a trust fund for specific purposes and
projects, as approved by the Council, subject to existing auditing and accounting
regulations and for purposes of this Act.

The program harnessing youth for reforestation shall be funded by project funds
of the Council or from donations earmarked for the purpose.

SEcTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any part of provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEcTION 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, decree, rule, regulation, executive order or
part thereof inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEcTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall be effective upon its complete publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
whichever comes earlier.

Approved,