FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bilt No__ 2734

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 6239, otherwise known as the Forestry Profession Law, was
enacted into law on June 19, 1971, or some 37 years ago. Expectedly, some of its
provisions have outgrown its relevance to the forest policies of the Philippines, the
Program development thrusts of the government, the new knowledge in forestry
and the practices of some of the 8,000 professional Filipino Foresters today.

Forestry is a dynamic profession. Changes in the physical environment and
conditions of natural resources as well as global and national policies and laws
concerning them, scientific concepts, methodologists and technologies, and even
ethical issues affect the practice of the forestry profession. The new competence
‘standards developed for foresters show the specific knowledge and skills foresters
should have today.

In the 70s, when the law regulating the forestry profession in the country
was enacted, issues on global environment, sustainable forest management,
community-based resource management, integrated protected areas systems,
climate change and biodiversity conservation were barely heard. Today, these
national and global legal and social concepts dictate how resources management
in the country will be pursued and implemented side by side with economic
considerations.

Thus, today's forestry graduates who intend to practice the art and craft of
the forestry profession must show proof of their capability and preparedness by
way of meeting the requirement provided for in an updated law that would allow
only the deserving ones to practice the profession.

Among the critical revisions of RA 6239 contained in this proposed Act are
the following:

1. Revisiting the scope of activities and services defining the practice of forestry;

2. Deletion of the provision requiring area specialists in every area coverage of the
Foresters Licensure Examination;


3. Removal of the provision along registration of forestry professionals without
examination, except in case of foreign reciprocity;

4. Reorientation of the specific areas of topics to be covered in the Foresters
Licensure Examination;

5. Requiring that only Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) graduates and not
mere equivalent degrees are qualified to take the Foresters Licensure
Examination;

6. Involving the active participation of the accredited professional organization
concemed and CHED, among others, in the matter of education and practice of
the forestry profession;

7. Clearly stating the grounds for suspension or revocation of professional license
and/or certificate of registration;

8. Providing @ condition before allowing foreign professional foresters to practice
forestry in the Philippines; and

9. Aligning provisions of this with Act RA 8981, otherwise known as the PRC
Modernization Act of 2000.

The approval of the proposed revision is urgent and highly desirable in
order to enable the professional Filipino Foresters to effectively address the
various demands of their clientele and accordingly react to social and political
issues and critical environmental concems besetting the country today. The
Filipino Foresters role in sustainable development will be enhanced and the
mechanism for the growth of the profession will be institutionalized in this
proposed Act.

Approval of this bill is therefore earnestly requested.

Yd

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION i

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2731

House Bill No._

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF FORESTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES,
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-TWO
HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE (RA NO. 6239), KNOWN AS “THE FORESTRY
PROFESSION LAW”, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.

ARTICLE I
TITLE, POLICY, OBJECTIVES, TERMS AND PRACTICE

Section 1. Title. — This act shall be known as the “Forestry Profession Act
of 2010.”

Section 2. Statement of Policy. — The State recognizes the important role
of Forestry Professionals or Professional Foresters in nation-building. Towards
this end, the State shall promote the sustained development of foresiry
professionals, whose competence have been determined by honest and credible
licensing examinations and whose standards of professional service and practice
are intemationally recognized and considered world-class, brought about by
regulatory measures and human resource programs and activities that foster their
professional growth and advancement.

Sec. 3. Objectives. — This Act provides for and shall govern:

(a) The examination, registration, and licensure of professional foresters;

() The supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of forestry in the
Philippines;

(c) The development and upgrading of the curriculum;

(d) The development of the professional competence of foresters through
Continuing Professional Education (CPE); and

(e) The integration of the forestry profession.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
‘shall mean:


(a) ‘Forestry’ refers to the art, science, practice and business of
sustainable managing forest and forest land resources for the production of goods
and services and the enhancement of benefits and values of such resource to
provide the needs of the present and future generations.

(b) “Professional Forester’ refers to a registered and licensed natural
person who holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional
identification card issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant this Act.

(c) “Board” refers to the Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters
created under this Act.

(d) “Commission” refers to the Professional Regulation Commission
created under R. A. No. 8981, known as the “PRC Modemization Act of 2000".

(f) "AP" refers to the Accredited Professional Organization of Foresters
that the Board has accredited subject to the approval by the
Commission as the one and only accredited integrated national
organization of foresters.

Sec. 5. Scope of Practice of Forestry. - The practice of forestry shall
include, but not limited to, the following acts or activities:

(a) Different aspects of actual and/or supervisor activities or services, such
as, the parametric classification of lands of the public domain and sub-
classification and capability determination of forestlands; inventory of
forest or timber and other forest products; reconnaissance and survey
of road locations and quarry sites; planning and implementing of
harvesting operations and timber improvement; scaling and grading of,
and manifesting taxes on logs and derivative wood products as well as
other forest products, preparation of designs, plans and specification of
forest products processing plants; treatment of wood and other forest
Products; inspection and investigation of harvesting and processing
plants; preparing, certifying and/or authenticating log and lumber
dealers, sawmill operator and other mill reports, planning and
implementation on of forest nursery , afforestation, reforestation;
industrial and community-based tree plantation, tree farm and
agroforestry farm projects; planning and implementation of forest parks,
wilderness areas, coastal areas, and other protected area systems
development; planning and implementation of forest protection
‘systems, forest and soil resources conservation measures; and conduct
of environment risk scooping and environmental impact assessment;

(b) The preparation and conduct of feasibility studies pertaining to natural
forest and plantation forest management, watershed management;
range or grazing land management; wildlife and/or biodiversity systems
management; wood technology and timber engineering; wood products
manufacturing and marketing management; and technical or
management consultancy;


(©) Govemment agency and institutional activities or services wherein the
principal policy and strategy is forestry and the employment of
professional forestry practice is essential, such as, the undertaking,
supervision or administration of studies, programs, stations, centers,
community/provincial/ regional offices; and such other activities or
services, that by law, shall be inherently exercised by professional
foresters;

(d) The conduct of forest experiments, research and development, training
and extension concerning forestry, and the teaching of major forestry
subject Board Licensure Examination for Foresters; and

(@) Forestry activities and services required for by local government units,
Private corporations, foundation, non-govemment organization, and
foreign assisted projects

The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise, exclude
from, or add to, the above enumerated acts or activities as the need arises to
conform to the latest trend in the practice of forestry.

ARTICLE I
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR FORESTERS

Section 6. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory
Board for Foresters. — There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board
for Foresters, hereinafter referred to as the Board, a collegial body under the
administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission,
herein-after referred to as the Commission, to be composed of the chairman and
two (2) members appointed by the President of the Philippines from the list of
three (3) recommendees for each position chosen and submitted by the
Commission thereto from a list of the five (5) for every position endorsed by the
Accredited Professional Organization (APO).

Sec. 7. Qualifications of Chairman and Member of the Board. — The
chairman and each member shall, at the time of his/her appointment, possess all
these qualifications. He/She must be:

(a) A citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) Of good moral character and good reputation and of sound mind and
body;

(c) Not convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense
involving moral turpitude;

(@)A holder of a Bachelors Degree in Forestry, preferably with a
Master's/Doctor’s Degree in Forestry recognized by the government
through the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and conferred by
a duly licensed school, college, or university.


(e) A registered and licensed forester with a valid certificate of registration
and a valid professional identification card having at least ten (10) years
of practice prior to his/her appointment,

(f) Amember in good standing of the APO;

(g) Not a member of the faculty of any school, college and university where
a regular/review course in forestry is offered, not a. member of a staff of
reviewers in a review school or center, and not have any direct or
indirect pecuniary interest in any such institution; and

(h) Not an officer or trustee of the APO.

Sec. 8. Term of Office. — The chairman and members of the Board shall
hold office for a term of three (3) years from the date of appointment or until their
successors shall have qualified and have been appointed. They may be
reappointed in the same office for another term of three (3) years immediately
after the expiry of their term; Provided, That the holding of such position be not
more than two (2) terms or not more than six (6) years, whichever is longer,
Provided, Further, That the first Board under this Act shall hold these terms of
office: the chairman for three (3) years, the first member for two (2) years, and the
second member for one (1) year; Provided, Furthermore, That any appointee to a
vacancy with the unexpired period shall only serve such period. The chairman and
the members shall duly take their oath office.

Sec. 9. Compensation, Allowances and other Benefits. — The chairman
and members of the Board shall receive compensation, allowances, and other
benefits comparable to those that the chairman and members of other
professional regulatory boards under the Commission enjoy as provided for in the
General Appropriation Act.

Sec. 10. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board.
— The Board shall exercise executive/administrative, rule-making and quasi-
judicial powers in carrying out the provisions of this Act. It shall be vested with the
following specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities.

(a) To regulate the practice of forestry in accordance with the provisions
of this Act;

(&) To issue and promulgate rules and regulations implementing the
provisions of this Act;

(c) To adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics, the Code of Good
Governance, and the Code of Technical Standards for the Practice of
Forestry;

(d) To adopt an official seal of the Board;

(e) To prescribe and promulgate guidelines on the Continuing
Professional Education (CPE) for foresters in consultation with the
APO;

() To prescribe and promulgate syllabi for the subjects in the licensure
examination/s in consultation with the academe and the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED);

(9) To issue or cancel temporary or special permit granted to foreign
foresters;


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To adopt a program for the walk-in licensure examination, if
necessary,

To evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination/s;

To prepare questions for the subjects in the licensure examinations,
give and correct the said examinations, and release their results;

To register qualified persons for the practice of forestry and issue
thereto Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification
Cards;

To administer oaths in the performance of its functions;

To monitor the conditions affecting the practice of forestry through
ocular inspections of establishment wherein foresters are practicing,
and to adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
enhancement and maintenance of high professional, moral, ethical
and technical standards;

To coordinate and enter together with the Commission into a
Memorandum of Agreement with the CHED in ensuring that all higher
education instruction and offerings of degree, course or program
comply with the policies, standards, and requirements of the course
prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and
facilities.

To hear and investigate cases on violations of this Act, the Code of
Good Governance, the Code of Technical Standards for the Practice
of Forestry, and other policies, and for this purpose, to issue
‘summons, subpoena, and subpoena duces tecum to alleged violators
and/or witnesses to compel their attendance in such hearings of
investigations;

To delegate the hearing or investigation of cases against the alleged
violators; Provided, That the hearing or investigation of cases wherein
the issue or question involved strictly concems the technical practice
of forestry shall be presided over by at least one (1) member of the
Board assisted by a Legal or Hearing Officer of the Commission;

To indorse cases involving criminal violations of this Act and other
laws, its rules and regulations, and other policies to the Prosecution
Office for investigation;

To decide administrative cases against examinees or registered
foresters; Provided, That if they are guilty, to cancel their examination
Papers and/or debar them from taking another licensure examination,
or to revoke/suspend their certificate of registration; Provided, Further,
That the effectivity of the penalty shall only commence from the date
of surrender of the said certificates together with the professional
identification cards; Provided, Furthermore, That the decision of the
Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become final and
executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of judgment or
decision;

To reissue or reinstate revoked/suspended certificate of registration
and unexpired professional identification card to respondent-holder
thereof; Provided, That the revoked certificate of registration shall only
be reissued after the lapse of the period provided in this Act, Provided,
Further, That the Board shall issue a resolution thereon subject to
approval by the Commission, after he/she shall have established


hisiher fitness to practice anew his/her forestry profession and;
Provided, Furthermore, That the suspended certificate of registration
shall only be reissued upon lapse of the period imposed in the
decision of the Board;

() To conduct through the Legal or Hearing Officers summary
proceedings on minor violations of this Act, its IRR, any of the codes
aforementioned, the general instructions to examinee committed by
examinees, and to render summary judgment thereon which shall,
unless appealed to the Commission, become final and executory after
fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of judgment or decision.

(u) To prepare an annual report of accomplishments, programs, projects,
and activities of the Board during the year of submission to the
Commission after the close of each calendar year and to make
appropriate recommendations on issues or problems affecting the
forestry profession to the Commission; and

(v) To discharge other implied, incidental, necessary powers, duties,
functions, and responsibilities for the effective carrying out of the
provisions of this Act and its policies or measures and the
achievement of its objectives.

The rules and regulations, codes, and other policies embodied in a
resolution issued and promulgated by the Board shall be subject to review and
approval by the Commission. However, the Board's decision, resolution, or order
rendered in an administrative case which is not interlocutory shall be subject to
review only if on appeal to the Commission or the regular courts.

Sec. 11. Grounds for Removal or Suspension of Board
Chairman/Member. - The President of the Philippines, upon the
recommendation of the Commission, after giving the chairman or the members of
the Board an opportunity to defend himselfiherself in an administrative
investigation conducted by the Commission, may remove or suspend him/her on
any of the following grounds:

(@) Gross neglect, incompetence, or dishonesty in the discharge of
hisiher duties;

() Violation of any provision and the prohibited acts provided in this Act
and the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and
Corruption Practices Act, and other laws;

(©) Manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination for foresters’
results, disclosure of secret and confidential information on the
examination questions prior to the conduct thereof, or tampering of
grades.

The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shall be guided by
Sec. 7 (s) of R. A. No. 8981, the rules on administrative investigation, and the
applicable provisions of the Rules of Court.

Sec. 12. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Office of
the Secretary and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the
administrative supervision of the Commission. The Commission shall keep all


records of the Board including applications for examination, examination papers
and results, minutes of deliberation, and administrative cases. The Commission
shall designate the Secretary of the Board who shall be a staff member in the
Office, and shall provide the support services to the Board in order to implement
the provisions of this Act

ARTICLE Itt
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

Sec. 13. Passing of Licensure Examination Requirement. — Except as
otherwise specifically allowed under this Act, applicants for registration for the
practice of forestry shall be required to pass in licensure examination as provided
for in this Act in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in the
Resolution thereof on the Master Schedules for all licensure examinations in
accordance with Sec. 7 (d) of R.A. 8981

Section 14. Qualifications of Applicants. An applicant for the licensure
examination for foresters shall satisfactory prove that he/she possesses the
following qualifications:

(a) Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country/state has
reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of forestry;

(b) Of good moral character;

(c) A holder of a bachelor's degree in forestry duly recognized or
accredited by the CHED and conferred by a school/college/university
duly authorized by the government, or its equivalent degree obtained
by either a Filipino or foreign citizen from an institution of learning in a
foreign country/state, provided, it is duly recognized and/or accredited
by the CHED; and

(a) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
competent jurisdiction.

Sec. 15. Subjects for Licensure Examination. - The licensure
‘examination/s for foresters shall include, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Forest Ecosystem

(b) Social Forestry and Govemance
(c) Forest Engineering and Utilization
(d) Forest Resource Management

The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude
any of the subjects and their syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises to
conform to technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the
profession.

Sec. 16. Rating in the Licensure Examination. — To pass the licensure
examination for foresters, a candidate must obtain a general or weighted average
rating of seventy five percent (75%).


Sec. 17. Report of Rating. — The Board shall submit to the Commission
the ratings obtained by the candidate not later than ten (10) days after the last day
of the examination, unless it is extended for a valid cause.

Sec 18. Oath. — All successful candidates in the licensure examination
shall take their oath of profession before the chairman or any member of the
Board; or any authorized officer of the Commission, or any person authorized by
law, to administer oaths, prior to entering upon the practice of forestry.

Sec. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card. — A certificate of registration shall be issued to those who
passed the licensure examination subject to payment of fees prescribed by the
Commission. The Certificate of Registration shall bear the signatures of the
chairperson of the Commission and the chairman and members of the Board,
‘stamped with the official seal of the Commission and of the Board, certifying that
the person named therein is entitled to the practice of the profession with all the
privileges appurtenant thereto. Until withdrawn, revoked or suspended in
accordance with this Act, it shall remain in full force and effect.

A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number and date,
its validity and expiry duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission shall
likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee. It shall be
reissued after every three (3) years upon mandatory submission of the CPE units
together with the certification of god standing from the APO or its affiliate
organization and payment of the prescribed fees therefore.

Sec. 20. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register any
successful examinee in the Board Licensure Examination for Foresters who has
been:

(a) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
competent jurisdiction,

(b) Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board.

() Summarily adjudged guilty for violation of the General
Instructions to Examinees by the Board, and

() Declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction.

In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written
statement setting forth the reasons therefore and shall file a copy thereof in its
records.

Sec. 21. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration
and Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board shall have the
power, upon notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the certificate of
registration of a Registered and Licensed Forester, or to cancel a
temporary/special permit granted to foreign forester, for violation of any of the
foregoing causes or grounds except (c) in the preceding section and any of the
following grounds:


(a) Violation of a provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, Code of
Good Governance, Code of Technical Standards for the practice of
forestry, policy, and measure of the Board and/or the Commission;

(©) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining his/her certificate of
registration, and/or professional identification card, or
temporary/special permit;

(c) Gross incompetence, negligence, or ignorance resulting to injury or
damage;

(4) Refusal to join or to remain member in good standing of the APO;

(e) Neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5)
consecutive years;

(f) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and
unlicensed person by allowing him/her to use his certificate of
registration and/or professional identification card, or his/her
specialtemporary permit,

(g) Illegally practicing the profession during his/her suspension from the
practice thereof,

(h) Addicted to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing his/her ability to practice
his/her profession, or declared with unsound mind by a court of
competent jurisdiction;

(i) Non-compliance with the CPE requirement, unless he/she is
exempted therefrom, for the renewal of his/her professional
identification card;

Any person, firm or association may file charge/s in accordance with the
provisions of this Section against any registrant, or the Board may, on its own,
investigate violation of any of the above mentioned causes. Affidavit-complaint
shall be filed together with the affidavits of witnesses and other documentary
evidence with the Board through the Legal and Investigation Office. The motu
proprio move to conduct an investigation shall be embodied in a formal charge to
be signed by at least majority of the members of the Board. The rules on
administrative investigation issued by the Commission shall govern the hearing
investigation subject to applicable provisions of this Act, R.A. 8981, and the Rules
of Court.

Sec. 22. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration,
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional
Identification Card, or Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board may, upon
petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years
from the effectivity of the period for revocation, which is the date of surrender of
the said certificate and/or the professional identification card if still valid to the
Board and/or the Commission. The Board may not require the holder thereof to
take another licensure examination. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that
he/she has valid reason/s to practice his/her profession. For the grant of his/her
petition, the Board shall issue a Board Resolution subject to approval by the
Commission.

Sec. 23. Non-Payment of the Annual Registration Fees. - The Board
shall suspend a registered forester from the practice of his/her profession for non-


payment of the annual registration fees for five (5) consecutive years. The
resumption of hisiher practice shall take place only upon payment of the
delinquent fees plus surcharges and interests and in accordance with the rules of
the Commission. The running of the five-year period may be interrupted upon
written notice about the discontinuance of his practice and surrender of his/her
Certificate of registration and professional identification card to the Board and/or
the Commission.

Sec. 24 Vested Rights: Automatic Registration. — All foresters,
registered at the effectivity of this Act shall automatically be registered hereunder,
subject to the provisions herein set forth as to future requirements.

Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Cards, or
Temporary/Special Permits held by such persons in good standing at such
effectivity shall have the same force and effect as though they were issued on or
after the said effectivity

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF FORESTRY

Sec. 25. Lawful Practitioners of Forestry. — The natural persons and
judicial persons who shall be authorized to practice the forestry profession

1) Natural persons who are:

(a) Duly registered and licensed as foresters and holders of valid
certificates of registration and valid professional identification
cards issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant to this
Act; and

(b) Holders of valid temporary/special permits issued by the Board
and the Commission to foreign licensed foresters pursuant to
this Act

2) Juridical persons:

(a) Single proprietorship whose owner and staff are registered and
licensed foresters;

(b) Partnership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) as professional partnership pursuant to the
Civil Code and composed of all partners who are duly registered
and licensed foresters;

(©) Corporation duly registered with the SEC as engaged in the
practice of forestry with officers and Board of Directors who are
all registered and licensed foresters;

(d) Association duly registered with the SEC as nonprofit and non-
stock corporation whose officers, Board of Trustees, and
members are all registered and licensed foresters.


Sec. 26. Issuance and Use of Seal. — All registered foresters shall obtain
a seal of such design and make as the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided,
that the serial number of the Certificate of Registration issued by the Board shall
be included in the seal. Documents prepared by or under direct supervision of
registered or professional foresters shall be stamped with his or her seal, such as
reports, certifications, contracts, studies, plans, surveys, retums, technical
descriptions, inventory data, maps, drawings, sketches, lay-out, exhibits, proposal
or offer of services, tests and analysis, and other documents that may henceforth
be the subject of such acts upon the recommendation of the accredited
professional organization concemed and by resolution of the Board. It shall be
unlawful for any person to stamp or seal any document with the said seal after the
professional license is suspended or revoked.

Sec. 27, Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreigner shall be allowed to take the
Board licensure examination for foresters, register, receive his/her certificate of
registration and professional identification card, and practice forestry in the
Philippines unless the requirements for the licensure examination and/or
registration and practice of forestry imposed under the laws and regulations in
his/her foreign country/state are substantially the same as those required and
contemplated by Philippine laws and regulations, and unless the said foreign laws
and regulations allow Philippine citizens to practice forestry within the territory of
the said foreign country/state on the same basis and grant the same privileges as
those enjoyed by the citizens, subjects or nationals thereof.

Sec. 28. Practice through Temporary/Special Permit. - Special
Temporary Permit may be issued by the Board subject to approval by the
Commission and payment of fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof to
the following:

(1) Licensed or certified foresters from foreign countries/states whose
services are either for a fee or free;

(a) If they are internationally known foresters or experts in any
branch or specialty of forestry; and

(b) If their services are urgently and importantly necessary for lack
of inadequacy of available local specialists or experts for the
promotion or advancement of the practice of forestry through
transfer of technology.

(2) Licensed foresters from foreign countries/states employed as exchange
professors in a branch or specialty of forestry in schools, colleges, or universities
offering the course of forestry,

The permit shall, among other things, contain these limitations and
conditions for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the
branch or specialty of forestry, and the specific place of practice such as center,
school, college, or university offering the course of forestry. The Board, subject to
approval by the Commission, shall promulgate rules and regulations on the
implementation of this particular section.


Sec. 29. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration,
Professional Tax Receipt, and APO Membership. - The forester shall be
required to indicate his/her Certificate of Registration Number and Date of
Issuance, the expiry of his/her current Professional Identification Card, the
Professional Tax Receipt Number and Date, and his/her APO Membership
Number and Date with the current Official Receipt Number and Date of
Membership Payment (Annual/Lifetime) on the documents he/she signs, uses, or
issues in connection with the practice of his/her forestry profession.

Sec. 30. Roster of Foresters. — The Board shall prepare and maintain a
roster of the names, residence and/or office address of all registered foresters
which shall be updated annually in cooperation with the APO, indicating therein
the status of the certificate of registration, professional identification card, and
APO, membership, whether valid, inactive due to death or other reasons,
delinquent, suspended or revoked. The said roster shall be conspicuously posted
within the premises of the Commission and the information therefrom made
available to the public upon inquiry or request.

Sec, 31. Integration of the Foresters. - The foresters shall be integrated
into one (1) national organizational of foresters that is duly registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board of Forestry subject to
approval by the Commission shall accredit the said organization as the one and
only integrated and accredited national organization of foresters. All foresters
whose names appear in the Registry Book of Foresters shall jpso facto or
automatically become members thereof and shall receive therefrom all the
benefits and privileges upon payments of APO membership fees and dues. A
member in an affiliate organization of foresters shall not be barred.

Sec. 32. Act Not Affecting Other Professions. — This Act shall not affect
or prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession.

Sec. 33. Posting of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or Temporary/Special Permit. - The Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card of Foresters, or
Temporary/Special Permit in original or authentic/authenticated copies shall be
Posted by the registered and licensed foresters in a conspicuous place in his/her
Office.

Sec. 34. Positions in Public or Private Offices involving Practice of
Forestry Profession . - Positions in public or private entities involving the
Practice of the forestry profession shall be occupied by persons who are duly
Tegistered and licensed foresters with valid certificates of registration and valid

professional identification cards, or valid temporary/special permits that are issued
under this Act.

Sec. 35. Penal Clause. ~ Any person who shall commit and found guilty of
any of the following acts shall be meted out with a perpetual disqualification to
practice the profession:


(1) Practicing forestry without a valid certificate of registration and/or a
valid professional identification card, or a valid temporary/special
permit;

(2) Attempting to use the seal, certificate of registration and/or
professional identification card of a registered forester, or
temporary/special permit issued to foreign foresters;

(8) Abetting the illegal practice of forestry by an unregistered,
unlicensed, or unauthorized person;

(4) Securing through false information or fraudulent means certificate of
registration and/or professional identification card, or
temporary/special permit;

(5) Impersonating a registered forester or a holder of a
specialftemporary permit; and

(6) Violating any provision of this Act or the implementing rules and
regulations thereof.

In addition, a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Php50,000.00 but not
more than Five Hundred Thousand (Php500,000.00) pesos, or imprisonment of
not less than six (6) months but not more than six (6) years or both penalties shall
be imposed at the discretion of the court.

Sec. 36. Enforcement. — In carrying out the provisions of this Act, the
Board shall be assisted by the Commission, the APO, duly constituted
government agencies and authorities, and private organizations in the industry. A
Memorandum of Agreement between agencies or organizations may be
executed.

Sec. 37. Funds. - The funds or budget for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the Annual Appropriation for the Commission; provided, that
the amount incurred for its initial implementation shall be charged against the
Commission's current year’s appropriation.

Sec. 38. Transitory Provisions. — The incumbent Board shall in an interim
capacity continue to operate or function by carrying out the provisions of the Act
without new appointments of the chairman and members thereof until the first
Board created hereunder shall have been constituted or organized pursuant
thereto.

Sec. 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board of Forestry,
subject to approval by the Commission, shall prescribe, promulgate, and issue the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act after consultation within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 40. Separability Clause. — If any provision, section, or part of this Act
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
invalidate, or impair any other provisions, sections or parts hereof, but shall be
merely confined to the provision, section or part thereof that is directly involved in
the issue upon which judgment has been rendered.


Sec. 41. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 6239 is hereby repealed,
Laws, decrees, orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations, or other
issuances, and parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
likewise accordingly repealed or modified

Sec. 42. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following the full and complete publication thereof in the Official Gazette or any
newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved