NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No._________ 
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 Forester’s 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;
April 11, 2023
8:00 am
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6. Involving the active participation of the accredited professional organization concerned 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 a 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 concerns 
besetting the country today. The Filipino Forester’s 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. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
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, 
KNOWN AS "THE FORESTRY PROFESSION LAW", APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
ARTICLE I 
TITLE, POLICY, OBJECTIVES, TERMS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE 
SECTION 1. Title – This Act shall be known as the "Forestry Profession Act". 
SEC 2. Statement of Policy – The State recognizes the important role of professional foresters 
in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall promote the sustained development of 
professional foresters, whose technical competencies have been determined by honest and 
credible licensure examinations and whose professional service and standards of practice are 
internationally recognized and considered world class, brought about by the strategic 
complementation of regulatory measures and human resource policies and programs 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;
(b) The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of forestry in the Philippines;
(c) The development and upgrading of the forestry curriculum;
(d) The development of the professional competence of foresters through mandatory
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) APO refers to the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) 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.
(b) Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters created under this Act.
(c) Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission created under Republic
Act No. 8981, known as the. "PRC Modernization Act of 2000".
(d) Forestry refers to the art, science, practice and business of sustainable management
of forest and forestland resources for the production of goods and services and the
enhancement of benefits and values of such resources to provide the needs of the
present and future generations.
(e) 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 to this Act.
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SEC 5. Scope of Practice of Forestry – The practice of forestry shall include, but not be limited 
to, the following acts or activities:  
(a) Different aspects of actual and/or supervisory activities or services, such as the 
parametric classifications of lands of the public domain and subclassification 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 specifications of forest products 
processing plants; treatment of wood and other forest products; inspection and 
investigation of harvesting and processing plants; preparation, certification and/or 
authentication of log and lumber dealers, sawmill operators and other mill reports; 
planning and implementation of forest nursery, afforestation, reforestation, industrial 
and community-based tree plantation, tree farm and agro-forestry 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 
environmental risk scoping 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;  
(c) The conduct of forest experiments, research and development, training and extension 
concerning forestry, and the teaching of forestry subjects in any accredited college or 
school of forestry;  
(d) Management and operation of government 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; and  
(e) The conduct of forestry activities and services required by local government units, 
private corporations, foundations, nongovernment organizations and foreign-assisted 
projects.  
 
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise, exclude from and/or add to 
the above enumerated acts or activities as the need arises to conform to' the latest trends and 
developments in the practice of forestry.  
 
ARTICLE II 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR FORESTERS 
 
SEC 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, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of the 
chairperson and two (2) members; appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of 
three (3) recommendees for each position chosen and submitted by the Commission from a 
list of five (5) nominees for every position endorsed by the APO.  
 
SEC 7. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board – The chairperson and 
each member shall, at the time of appointment, possess all the following qualifications and 
requirements:  


(a) A citizen and a resident of the Philippines;  
(b) Of good moral character;  
(c) Not convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving moral 
turpitude;  
(d) A holder of a bachelor's degree in forestry, preferably with a masteral or doctorate 
degree in forestry conferred by a duly licensed school, college or university recognized 
by the government through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);  
(e) A registered forester with a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional 
identification card, and with at least ten (10) years of practice prior to appointment; 
(f) A member in good standing of the APO;  
(g) Not a member of the faculty of any school, college or university where a regular or 
review course in forestry is offered, not a member or a staff of reviewers in a review 
school or center, and does 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 chairperson 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 been  
qualified and appointed. They may be reappointed to the same office for another term of three 
(3) years immediately after the expiry of their term: Provided, That the holding of such position 
shall not be more than two (2) terms or not more than six (6) years: Provided, further, That the 
first Board appointed under this Act shall hold these terms of office: the Chairperson for three 
(3) years, the first member for two (2) years and the second member for one (1) year: Provided, 
finally, That any appointee to a vacancy with the unexpired period shall only serve such period.  
The chairperson and the members shall duly take their oaths of office before 
discharging the duties of their respective positions.   
 
SEC 9. Compensation, Allowances and Other Benefits – The chairperson and members of 
the Board shall receive compensation, allowances and other benefits comparable to those 
that the chairpersons and members of other professional regulatory boards under the 
Commission enjoy as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC 10. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board – The Board shall 
exercise executive and 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;  
(b) 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 Technical Standards for the Practice of Forestry;  
(d) To adopt an official seal of the Board;  
(e) To prescribe and promulgate guidelines on the mandatory CPE for foresters in 
consultation with the APO;  
(f) To prescribe and promulgate the syllabi for the subjects in the licensure examination 
in consultation with the academe and the CHED;  
(g) To issue and/or cancel temporary or special permits granted to foreign foresters;  
(h) To adopt a program for the walk-in licensure examination, if necessary;  
(i) To evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination;  
(j) To prepare questions for the different subjects in the licensure examinations, give and 
correct the examinations, and release their results;  
(k) To register qualified persons for the practice of forestry and issue thereto certificates 
of registration and professional identification cards;  
(l) To administer oaths in the performance of its functions;  
(m) To monitor the conditions affecting the practice of forestry through ocular inspections 
of establishments wherein foresters are practicing, and adopt such measures as may 


be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, moral, 
ethical and technical standards;  
(n) To enter, together with the Commission, into a memorandum of agreement with the 
CHED in ensuring that all higher educational instructions 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;  
(o) To hear and investigate cases on violations of this Act, its implementing rules and 
regulations, the Code of Ethics, 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 witnesses 
to compel their attendance in such hearings or investigations;  
(p) To delegate the hearing or investigation of cases against the alleged violators: 
Provided, That hearing or investigation of cases wherein the Issue or question involved 
strictly concerns 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;  
(q) To endorse cases involving criminal violations of this Act and other laws, their rules 
and regulations, and other policies to the Prosecution Office for investigation;  
(r) To decide administrative cases against examinees or registered foresters: Provided, 
That if they are judged guilty, to cancel their examination papers or prohibit them from 
taking another licensure examination, or to revoke or suspend their certificates of 
registration: Provided, further, That the effectivity of the penalty shall only commence 
from the date of surrender of the certificates together with the professional identification 
cards: Provided, finally, 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;  
(s) To reissue or reinstate revoked or suspended certificates of registration and unexpired 
professional identification cards to the holders thereof: Provided, That the revoked 
certificates 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 establishing fitness to practice anew the forestry 
profession. Provided, finally, That the suspended certificate of registration shall only 
be reissued upon the expiration of, the period imposed in the decision of the Board;  
(t) To conduct, through the legal or hearing officers, summary proceedings on minor 
violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), any of the codes 
aforementioned, the General Instructions to Examinee, 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 for submission to the Commission after the close of each 
calendar year and to make appropriate recommendations to the Commission on issues 
or problems affecting  the forestry profession; and  
(v) To discharge other implied, incidental, necessary powers, duties, functions and 
responsibilities to effectively carry out 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 the Board Chairperson/Member.- The 
President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving the 
chairperson or the member of the Board an opportunity to defend oneself in an administrative 
investigation conducted by the Commission, may remove or suspend the official on any of the 
following grounds:  


(a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of one's duty;  
(b) Violation of any of the causes, grounds and the prohibited acts provided in this Act and 
the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and 
other laws; and  
(c) Manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination results for foresters, 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 Section 7(s) of 
Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the "PRC Modernization Act of 2000", the rules 
on administrative investigation and the applicable provisions of the Rules of Court.  
  
SEC 12. Supervision of the Board; Custodian of its Records and Provision of 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 provide support services to 
the Board in order to implement the provisions of this Act.  
 
ARTICLE III 
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE 
  
SEC 13. Licensure Examination Requirement – Except as otherwise specifically allowed 
under this Act, applicants for registration for the practice of forestry shall be required to pass 
a 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 Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 8981.  
 
SEC 14. Qualifications of an Applicant – An applicant for the licensure examination for 
foresters shall satisfactorily prove that he possesses the following qualifications:  
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country or State has reciprocity 
agreement 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 or University duly authorized by the government or 
a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Forest Products Engineering, or Bachelor of 
Science in Agroforestry; and  
(d) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent 
jurisdiction.  
  
SEC 15. Subjects for Licensure Examination – The licensure examination for foresters shall 
include, but not be limited to, the following:  
(a) Forest Ecosystem;  
(b) Forest Policy and Governance;  
(c) Forest Engineering and Utilization; and  
(d) Forest Resource Management.  
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude any of the subjects 
in their syllabi and add new ones as the need arises to conform to technological changes and 
advances brought about by the latest trends in the profession.  
  
SEC 16. Rating in the Licensure Examination – To pass the foresters licensure examination, 
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 and in the registration 
without examination shall take their oath of profession before the chairperson 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 are registered with or without licensure 
examination subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission and the chairperson 
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 payment of the prescribed fees therefor.  
 
SEC 20. Refusal to Register – The Board shall not register any successful examinee in the 
foresters’ licensure examination 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;  
(c) Adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Examinees by the Board; 
and  
(d) 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 therefor 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 forester or to cancel a 
temporary/special permit granted to a foreign forester for violation of any of the grounds or 
causes provided under Section 20 of this Act, except (c) thereof and any of the following 
grounds:  
(a) Violation of any 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 issued by the Board or the Commission;  
(b) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining one's certificate of registration and/or 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit;  
(c) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or damage;  
(d) Refusal to join or to remain a 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 nonregistered and licensed person by 
allowing another to use one's certificate of registration and/or professional 
identification card or temporary/special permit;  
(g) Illegally practicing the profession during one's suspension;  
(h) Addiction to drug or alcohol impairing one's ability to practice the profession or 
declaration of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; or  
(i) Failure to comply with the CPE requirement, unless one is exempted therefrom for 
the renewal of the professional identification card.  
Any person, firm or association may file charge/s in accordance with the provision of this 
section against any registrant, or the Board may, on its own, investigate violation of any of the 
abovementioned 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 or 
investigation subject to applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 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 professional identification card if still valid to the Board and the Commission. 
The Board may not require the holder thereof to take another licensure examination. The 
petitioner shall prove to the Board that there are valid reasons to practice the profession. For 
the grant of the petition, the Board shall issue a Board resolution subject to approval by the 
Commission.  
In the case of a lost or damaged certificate of registration, professional identification 
card or temporary/special permit, the same may be issued upon application of the valid license 
holder in accordance with prescribed procedure and subject to the payment of the prescribed 
fees.  
 
SEC 23. Nonpayment of the Annual Registration Fees – The Board shall suspend a registered 
forester from the practice of the profession for nonpayment of the annual registration fees for 
five (5) consecutive years from its last or previous year of payment. The resumption of one's 
practice shall take place only upon payment of the delinquent fees plus surcharges and 
interest and in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The running of the five (5) year  
period may be interrupted upon written notice about the discontinuance of one's practice and 
surrender of the certificate of registration to the Board and 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 these were issued on or after the effectivity of this Act.   
  
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF FORESTRY 
 
SEC 25. Lawful Practitioners of Forestry – The following natural persons and juridical persons 
shall be authorized to practice the forestry profession:  
1. Natural persons:  
a. Duly registered 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 foresters;  
b. Partnership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC) as professional partnership pursuant to the New Civil Code and 
composed of partners who are all duly registered foresters;  
c. Corporation duly registered with the SEC as engaged in the practice of forestry 
with officers and board of directors who are all registered foresters; and  


d. Association duly registered with the SEC as nonprofit and non-stock 
corporation whose officers, board of trustees and members are all registered 
foresters.  
These juridical persons shall also be registered with the Board and the Commission in 
accordance with duly issued rules and regulations.  
  
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 one's seal, such as reports, certifications, contracts, studies, plans, surveys, 
returns, technical descriptions, inventory data, maps, drawings, sketches, layouts, 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 APO concerned and by the resolution 
by the Board. It shall be unlawful for any person to stamp any document with the said seal 
after the certificate of registration is revoked.  
 
SEC 27. Foreign Reciprocity – No foreigner shall be allowed to take the licensure examination 
for foresters, register, receive one's certificate of registration and professional identification 
card, and practice forestry in the Philippines unless the requirements for the licensure 
examination and the registration and practice of forestry imposed under the laws and 
regulations in one's foreign country or 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 or 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 – Subject to approval by the Commission 
and the payment of fees it has prescribed, the Board' may issue temporary/special permits to 
the following:  
(a) Registered or certified foresters from foreign countries or 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 or inadequacy 
of available local specialists or experts for the promotion or advancement of the 
practice of forestry through transfer of technology; and  
(b) Licensed foresters from foreign countries or 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 shall promulgate, subject to approval by the Commission, rules and 
regulations on the implementation of this particular section.  
 
SEC 29. Indication of Certificate of Registration and Professional Tax Receipt Numbers and 
APO Membership Details – The forester shall be required to indicate the certificate of 
registration number and the date of issuance, the expiry of the current professional 
identification card, the professional tax receipt number and date, and the APO membership 
number and date with official receipt number and date of membership payment 
(annual/lifetime) on the documents one signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice 
of the forestry profession.  
 


SEC 30. Roster of Foresters – The Board shall prepare and maintain a roster of the names, 
residence 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 the 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 
organization of foresters that is duly registered with the SEC. The Board for Foresters shall 
accredit, subject to approval by the Commission, the said organization as the one and only 
integrated and accredited national organization of foresters. AU foresters whose names 
appear in the Registry Book of Foresters shall ipso facto or automatically become members 
thereof and shall receive therefrom all the benefits and privileges upon payment of APO 
membership fees and dues. A membership 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 certificates of registration and professional identification 
cards of foresters or temporary/special permit in original or authentic/authenticated copies 
shall be posted by registered foresters in a conspicuous place in one's office.  
  
SEC 34. Positions in Public of Private Offices Involving the Practice of the Forestry Profession 
– Positions in public or private entities including educational institutions involving the practice 
of the forestry profession shall be occupied by persons who are duly registered foresters with 
valid certificates of registration and valid professional identification cards, or valid 
temporary/special permits that are issued under this Act.  
 
ARTICLE V 
PENAL AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC 35. Penal Clause – Any person who shall commit any of the following acts shall be meted 
out with a perpetual disqualification to practice the profession:  
(a) Practicing forestry without a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional 
identification card or a valid temporary/special permit;  
(b) Attempting to use the seal, certificate of registration and professional identification card 
of a registered forester or temporary/special permit issued to a foreign forester;  
(c) Abetting the illegal practice of forestry by an unregistered or unauthorized person;  
(d) Securing through false information or fraudulent means certificate of registration and/or 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit;  
(e) Impersonating a registered forester or a holder of a temporary/special permit; and  
(f) Violating any provision of this Act or the implementing rules and regulations thereof.  
 
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 for this purpose may be executed.  
 
SEC 37. Appropriations – The Chairperson of the PRC shall immediately include in the 
Commission's plans and programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
  


SEC 38. Transitory Provision – The incumbent Board shall continue, in an interim capacity, to 
operate or function by carrying out the provisions of this Act without new appointments of the 
Chairperson and the members thereof until the first Board created under this Act shall have 
been constituted or organized pursuant thereto.  
  
SEC 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Board for Foresters, subject to approval 
by the Commission, shall prescribe, promulgate and issue a Board resolution on the 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act after consultation with the APO, other agencies 
and concerned private organizations in the industry 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. All laws, decrees, 
orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or other issuances and parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC 42. Effectivity Clause – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the country or in the Official Gazette.  
 
Approved,