FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2172 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
We assure ourselves of one foot anchored firmly in the death hole for every time 
we destroy one forest. 
Various studies and first-hand experiences have taught us time and again that 
the continuous exploitation of the finite resources of our forests due to intensified 
logging activities result in catastrophic flashfloods. Examples of such catastrophes are· 
the Ormoc, Mindoro, Davao and Quezon tragedies, and just recently in Dingalan, 
Aurora. 
Ironically, despite the knowledge that unabated deforestation results in siltation, 
soil erosion and flooding, we still continue to consume the finite resources of our forests 
in direct violation and apathy in the fact that environmental policies remain 
unimplemented. 
Also, we are seeing and experiencing the catastrophic effects of climate change 
on us. Climate change is also being attributed largely to deforestation. 
Having caused already too l1)uch damage to our natural forest reserves, the 
continuation of activities detrimental to the survival of our forests will have to be abated 
at the soonest possible time. To prevent more tragedies resulting in this environmental 
exploitation, this bill seeks to support the government's environmental program by 
proposing a total logging ban on primary and secondary forests and rainforests for a 
period of thirty-five (35) years. This is to allow our forests to regenerate and stop their 
countdown to extinction. 
Hence, immediate approval of this bill is requested. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2172 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
TO PRESERVE AND REHABILITATE THE FOREST BY BANNING ALL LOGGING 
OPERATIONS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY GROWTH FORESTS AND 
RAINFORESTS, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A TASK FORCE FOR THE 
PRESERVATION AND REHABILITATION OF FORESTS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be)t enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Forest Preservation and 
2 
Rehabilitation Act of 201 0." 
3 
4 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
5 
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
6 
rhythm and harmony of nature, to protect, conserve and develop the nation's natural 
7 
resources so as to prevent environmental degradation and disaster and preserve the 
8 
country's valuable ecosystem. 
9 
10 
SECTION 3. Total Logging Ban. It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, fell or destroy 
11 
any tree or engage in any logging operation, in primary and secondary types of forest, 
12 
fora period of thirty-five (35) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
13 
14 
Commercially planted trees for commercial and/or industrial purposes are 
15 
exempted from this ban: Provided, that such trees are not located in primary and 
16 
secondary forests or rainforests. 
17 
18 
SECTION 4. Task Force for the Preservation and Rehabilitation of Forests. A Task 
19 
Force for the Preservation and Rehabilitation of Forests, hereinafter referred to as the 
20 
Task Force, shall be formed to implement the provisions of this Act. 
21 
1 


1 
a) Functions of the Task Force shall: 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
i) 
ii) 
iii) 
iv) 
formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, 
including in such rules and regulations prohibited acts and 
penalties for violations thereof; 
implement, in coordination with respective Local Government Units 
• 
and other public and private entities, such as rules and regulations 
upon their effectivity for the period specified in the preceding 
section of this Act; 
meet regularly to assess compliance with the rules and regulations; 
and 
perform such other functions in accordance with and necessary to 
the implementation of the intent and provisions of this Act. 
15 
b) Composition - The Task Force shall be composed of the Secretary of the 
16 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Chairman and the 
17 
Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of National 
18 
Defense, the Department of Interior and Local Govemment, the Department 
19 
of Agrarian Reform and two (2) representatives from accredited and credible 
20 
NGOs with expertise and advocacy on the Environment, and other 
21 
appropriate agencies of the government to be determined by the President, 
, 
22 
as members. This Task Force shall be organized not later than two (2) 
23 
months after the effectivity of this Act. 
24 
25 
c) The Task Force shall issue the rules and regulations of this Act not later than 
26 
27 
one (1) year after its composition. The implementing guidelines shall take 
effect fifteen (15) days following their pUblication in two (2) national 
28 
newspapers of general circulation. 
29 
30 
SE~TION 5. Penalties. The prison terms provided for the prohibited acts under Chapter 
31 
IV of p.o. No. 705, as amended, are hereby increased by one degree higher. The 
32 
Indeterminate Sentence Law shall nc;>t be applicable to these offenses. 
33 
34 
SECTION 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
35 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
36 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
2 


• 
1 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its 
2 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
3 
4 
Approved, 
3