TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Logging has many adverse effects.  It makes a forest less dense and causes soil 
erosion.   It also degrades watersheds and diminishes the quality of drinking water.  Just 
recently, Cagayan de Oro City has suffered from flashfloods and logging operations are 
blamed for such flashfloods.  The flashfloods destroyed not just properties but agricultural 
areas and farm-to-market roads as well. Based on the Progress Reports of the Regional 
Disaster Coordinating Council of Region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City, the flashfloods of 
January 3, 2009 have affected 21,605 persons or 5,223 families in the city and have damaged 
houses with 141 totally damaged and 1,410 partially damaged in an estimated cost of 1.9 
million as of January 8, 2009 only.   
In the January 11, 2009 floods that befell Cagayan de Oro City, 37,086 persons or 
7,410 families were affected with 94 houses totally damaged and 71 partially damaged.  
Further, typhoon Sendong brought about the worst destruction in the history of 
Cagayan de Oro City.  
To prevent flashfloods from recurring, logging operations in Cagayan de Oro City must 
be totally prohibited.  Hence, this bill which seeks to declare a total log ban in the City of 
Cagayan de Oro.   
 In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 14, 2025
8:01 am
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT  
IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN THE CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and advance the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony 
of nature. Towards this end, the State shall institute measures to protect the people and the 
environment in the City of Cagayan de Oro from the adverse effects of logging.  
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a.
Commercial logging refers to the cutting, felling or destruction of trees from old
growth and residual forests for the purpose of selling or otherwise disposing of the cut or felled 
logs for profit; 
b.
Communal forest refers to a small tract of forest land set aside by the Secretary
of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation 
of a local government unit for the use of its residents; 
c.
Forest land refers to land of the public domain classified as needed for forest
purposes. It includes all forest reserves of the public domain; 
d.
Logging refers to the process, work, or business of cutting down trees for
commercial purposes; 
e.
Silvicultural operations refer to procedures that aim to achieve stand-specific
objectives by using silvicultural techniques such as canopy alterations to induce natural 
regeneration, the harvesting of mature trees, planting, and thinning to improve timber quality 
and stand growth. 
SEC. 3. Imposition of a Logging Ban in Cagayan de Oro City. – A logging ban is hereby 
imposed within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Cagayan de Oro. 
SEC. 4. Exemption from the Logging Ban. – The following shall be exempted from the 
logging ban: 
(a) planted trees within private lands;
(b) planted trees within forest lands established and developed by tenurial instrument
holders in accordance with the approved plans;
(c) wood sources necessary for government infrastructure project in predetermined
areas, preferably from a communal forest;
(d) trees necessary for silvicultural operations; and
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(e) trees affected during road construction and other similar government-approved 
projects for basic services such as energy and power development, public works, 
or water utilities: Provided, That any harvesting or cutting of tree species shall be 
done in compliance with the requirements of pertinent forestry and environmental 
laws such as Presidential Decree 705, as amended, or the “Revised Forestry Code 
of the Philippines”, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 5. Penal Provision. – Any person, natural or juridical, or any public officer, who violates 
the provisions of this Act shall be penalized with imprisonment of at least six (6) years but not 
more than twelve (12) years, and a fine of at least One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) 
but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00).   
In addition, a public officer who violates this Act shall also be dismissed from service 
and perpetually disqualified from holding public office. 
If the offender is a juridical entity, the highest ranking official and the members of its 
board of directors or board of trustees who authorized the violations therein shall suffer the 
penalty imposed under this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DENR Secretary shall issue rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional 
or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full 
force and effect.  
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,