SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
SB N 
(if) 
.• 0. __ ,--_ 
Introduced by Senator Sergio Osmefia III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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13 
JUL· 
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This Forest Resources Bill (FRB) prioritizes the conservation, protection, and 
rehabilitation (CPR) of the Philippines' remaining few forests. 
It institutionalizes some key 
provisions of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino Ill's Executive Order No. 23 (issued in 
February 2011), which declared a national moratorium in the cutting and harvesting of timber 
in natural and residual forests. 
A new comprehensive law governing the country's forests is long overdue. As early as 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Congress was mandated to determine, by law, the specific 
limits or boundaries of forest lands and to enact measures to prohibit logging in endangered 
forests and watershed areas. 
Given the poor state of our environment and the disturbing realities of climate change, 
this new forest legislation is of prime importance and urgency. The massive flooding during 
typhoons Ondoy, Sendong, Pablo, and the unnamed "habagat" were mainly caused by the 
degraded state of our forests. As a result, thousands of lives were lost, millions worth of 
properties were destroyed, and billions of pesos were spent for rescue and rehabilitation. In 
the absence of a new forest legislation, more irreversible and costly ramifications will 
negatively impact our country's already fragile environment and vulnerable sectors. 
In pursuit of a paradigm shift appropriate to respond to these realities, this bill adopts a 
new framework that puts a higher premium on biodiversity conservation, rehabilitation, and 
participatory governance and veers away from the previous bias on a highly centralized forest 
management, utilization and explOitation by commercial large-scale extractive operations. 
This bill attempts to rationalize a forest land use policy, management and strategy 
based on ecologically-sound science. Among the other key provisions of the bill are as follows: 
• 
The use of a functional definition of "forest"; 
• 
Inclusion of a definition of "protection forestlands" which cover all natural (primary), 
residual (secondary), key biodiversity areas (KBAs) among others; 
• 
Prioritization of forest restoration utilizing indigenous or native tree species; 
• 
Recognition of "watershed continuum" as the baSic forestland management unit; 
• 
Strengthening of the role of local government units (LGUs) in forest management; 
• 
Empowerment of indigenous people, local communities, and other civil society 
organizations through their active participation or engagement in the forest 
management, governance, and law enforcement. 
This bill is urgently needed to save our few remaining forests as our country braces 
against the onslaught of future disasters such as floods, storms, and earthquakes brought 
about by climate change. 


In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Ait --<'/'If" 1'\/ 
/.J~. r 
SERGIO OSMENA III 
Senator 


• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
o f"'" 
S B N 
'1;t) 
.• 0. ______ 
_ 
Introduced by Senator Sergio Os men a III 
"1:1 
iIJI·-' 
'J, _ 
! 
AN ACT TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, UTILIZE, DEVELOP AND SUSTAINABLY MANAGE 
FOREST RESOURCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
1 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Forest Resources Act 
2 
0'2013". 
3 
SECTION 2. 
Scope and Coverage. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all 
4 
lands of the public domain classified as needed for forestry purposes, all forestlands, all 
5 
forest resources found in untitled agricultural lands and in private lands: Provided, That all 
6 
forests and forest resources found in protected areas established under the National 
7 
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) shall be sUstainably managed and developed 
8 
following the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992: Provided 
9 
further, That the rights of indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples to their 
10 
ancestral domains shall be respected. 
11 
All forestlands and forest resources therein under the administrative jurisdiction of the 
12 
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) shall be managed, developed and 
13 
conserved in accordance with the Regional Sustainable Forest Management Act of 2003 of 
14 
theARMM. 
1 


1 
SECTION 3. 
Basic Policies. 
2 
a. 
Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution to promote the general welfare 
3 
and social justice in all phases of national development, to protect and advance the right 
4 
of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
5 
harmony of nature, and to conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, the State 
6 
hereby adopts the following policies relative to the management, development and 
7 
conservation of forests and the resources therein: 
8 
i. 
Within five (5) years from the passage of this Act, the specific limits of 
9 
forestlands shall be fixed and demarcated and thereafter, shall not be altered 
10 
except through an Act of Congress. The Congress shall, as soon as possible, 
11 
also determine, by law, the specific limits of forestlands and national parks, 
12 
marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter, such forestlands 
13 
and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor 
14 
diminished, except by law. The Congress shall provide for such period as it 
15 
may determine, measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and 
16 
watershed areas; 
17 
ii. The use and conservation of forest resources shall bear social, ecological, 
18 
biological and economic functions, responsibility, and accountability to promote 
19 
the common good of the present and future generations; 
20 
iii. The guiding principle in the sustainable and integrated management, 
21 
development, and conservation of forest resources shall be to focus on these 
I 
22 
resources and on the people who manage, conserve, and benefit from them; 
23 
iv. Biodiversity protection and conservation of wildlife resources and their 
24 
habitats, 
consistent with Republic Act No. 9147 shall be a paramount 
25 
consideration in forest management. 
26 
v. Genetically Engineered (GE) and transgenic trees pose the gravest of 
27 
dangers to forest ecosystems and violate the Convention on Biological 
28 
Diversity. 
2 


1 
b. 
The State shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous 
2 
peoples 
to their ancestral domains to ensure their economic and social and cultural well-
3 
being and shall recognize the applicability of customary laws in governing property rights or 
4 
relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domains; 
c. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development; 
5 
d. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral 
6 
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation; 
7 
e. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments; and 
8 
f. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, 
9 
the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national 
10 
interest, and the right to self-determination. 
11 
In carrying out the above policies, the following strategies shall be pursued: 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
1. 
2. 
The watershed continuum as the basic forestland management unit -
Forestlands shall be managed, developed and conserved utilizing watershed 
continuum as the basic management unit and under the principles of sustainable 
and multiple-use management, including conservation of biological diversity; 
Multi-sectoral participation - The participation of all direct and indirect, 
especially 
local, 
stakeholders 
in 
sustainable 
forestland 
conservation, 
management, and development shall be mandatory. Equitable sharing of the 
19 
benefits derived from forestlands and the resources therein shall be ensured at all 
20 
times; 
21 
3. Community-based forest management (CBFM) as a principal strategy - Vesting 
22 
access rights and responsibilities to forest resident or forest-dependent families, 
23 
local communities, and indigenous peoples to undertake the management and 
24 
development of appropriate forestland resources on a sustainable basis shall have 
25 
precedence over other strategies; 
26 
4. Protection of forests and natural resources as a priority concern - The 
27 
protection of forests and the natural resources therein shall be given priority concern 
28 
in order to ensure environmental stability, conserve biological diversity, improve 
3 


1 
ecosystem functions and services, and provide long-term ecological and economic 
2 
benefits; 
3 
5. Reforestation as a priority measure- Reforestation shall be undertaken as a 
4 
priority measure to restore the ecosystem functions and services of forests as well 
5 
as improve the economic and ecological benefits of local communities concerned; 
6 
6. Security of tenure of stakeholders- Pursuant to the principles of sustainable and 
7 
multi-use forest management and equitable access to forest resources, a secured 
8 
tenure shall be guaranteed to stakeholders concerned; and 
9 
7. Professionalism in forest service - A dynamic, professional and people-oriented 
10 
forest service strongly adhering to conservation principles shall be established and 
11 
fully supported by the State. 
12 
SECTION 4. 
Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
13 
defined as follows: 
, 14 
a. "Agro-forestry" refers to a strategy for the sustainable management of land 
15 
which increases their overall productivity by properly combining agricultural crops 
16 
and/or livestock with forest crops simultaneously or sequentially through the 
17 
application of management practices which are compatible with th;e local climate, 
18 
topography, slope, soil, as well as the cultural patterns or customary laws of the 
19 
local communities; 
20 
b. "Agricultural lands" refer to Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands of the public 
21 
domain which have been delimited, classified and declared as such, pursuant to 
22 
the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, otherwise known as 
23 
the Public Land Act; 
24 
c. "Ancestral Domains" refer to all areas generally belonging to indigenous cultural 
25 
communitieslindigenous peoples (ICCsIIPs) comprising lands, inland waters, 
26 
coastal areas, and natural resources therein, held under a claim of ownership, 
27 
occupied or possessed by ICCsIIPs, by themselves or through their ancestors, 
28 
communally or individually since time immemorial, continuously to the present 
4 


1 
except when interrupted by war, force majeure or displacement by force, deceit, 
2 
stealth or as a consequence of government projects or any other voluntary 
3 
dealings entered into by government and private individuals/corporations, and 
4 
which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and cultural welfare. It shall 
5 
include ancestral lands, forests, pasture, residential, agricultural, and other lands 
6 
individually owned whether alienable and disposable or otherwise, hunting 
7 
grounds, burial grounds, worship areas, bodies of water, mineral and other 
8 
natural resdurces, and lands which may no longer be exclusively occupied by 
9 
ICCs/IPs but from which they traditionally had access to for their subsistence and 
10 
traditional activities, particularly the home ranges of ICCslIPs who are still 
11 
nomadic and/or shifting cultivators; 
12 
d. "Ancestral Lands" refer to land occupied, possessed and utilized by individuals, 
13 
families and clans who are members of the ICCs/IPs since time immemorial, by 
14 
themselves or through their predecessors-in-interest, under claims of individual 
15 
or traditional group ownership, continuously, to the present except when 
16 
interrupted by war, force majeure or displacement by force, deceit, stealth, or as 
17 
a consequence of government projects and other voluntary dealings entered into 
18 
by government and private individuals/corporations, including, but not limited to, 
19 
residential lots, rice terraces or paddies, private forests, swidden farms and tree 
20 
lots; 
21 
e. "Assisted Natural Regeneration" or "ANR" covers any set of activities that 
22 
enhance the natural processes of forest regeneration. These include promoting 
23 
the natural establishment and subsequent growth of indigenous forest trees, 
24 
whilst preventing any factors that might harm them, e.g. competition from weeds, 
25 
browsing by cattle, fire etc. ANR relies on existing natural processes; it requires 
26 
less labor input than tree planting and is therefore a very cheap way to restore 
27 
forest ecosystems. ANR is appropriate wherever the natural processes of forest 
28 
regeneration are, to some extent, already happening. At least few seed trees/ 
5 


1 
mature seed-bearing rainforest trees should exist nearby to provide seed rain in 
2 
the area. Seed-dispersing animals should remain common in the vicinity. Sites 
3 
which already support a high density of tree saplings and sprouting tree stumps 
4 
are particularly suited to ANR. 
5 
f. 
"Biological diversity or biodiversity" refers to the variability and variety among 
6 
living organisms including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic 
7 
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes 
8 
diversity within the species (genetic diversity), between species (species 
9 
diversity), and among ecosystems (ecosystem diversity); 
109. "Climate change" refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes 
11 
in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended 
12 
period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result 
13 
of human activity; 
14 
h. "Commercial logging" refers to the cutting or felling of trees for the purpose of 
15 
disposing the cut or felled logs for monetary profits beyond survival and 
16 
subsistenc~; 
17 
i. 
"Communal forest" refers to a tract of forestland set aside and 'established for 
18 
and under the protection, administration, and management of a city, municipality, 
19 
or barangay as a source of wood material for fuel, shelter, and manufactured 
20 
products; as source of water for the community; and as an area for ecotourism 
21 
and/or environmental protection or socio-economic projects of local government 
22 
units consistent with the policies and objectives of this Act and principles of 
23 
sustainable development; 
24 
j. 
"Community-Based Forest Management Strategy" refers to the strategy to 
25 
improve the well-being of forest dependent communities, and at the same time 
26 
ensure sustainable management, rehabilitation and protection of forestlands and 
27 
the resources therein, through the active participation of various stakeholders; 
28 
k. "Conservation" refers to the planned protection and management of forests, 
6 


1 
wildlife and other forest resources so as to prevent waste and ensure future use; 
2 
I. 
"Conveyance" refers to any vehicle, vessel, device or animal used in gathering 
3 
and/or transporting forest products; 
4 
m. "Co-management agreement" refers to an agreement entered into by the DENR 
5 
and a local government unitls to protect, restore, develop or manage forestlands, 
6 
including mangroves and its forest resources, within the geographic jurisdiction of 
7 
such local government unitls consistent with the provisions of this Act; 
8 
n. "Co-production agreement" refers to an agreement entered into by and 
9 
between a qualified person and the government, in accord with the 1987 
10 
Constitution, for the former to develop, utilize, and manage, consistent with the 
11 
principles of sustainable development, land or a portion of a forestland wherein 
12 
both parties agree to provide inputs and share the products or their equivalent 
13 
cash value; 
14 
o. 
"Critical habitat" refers to a place or environment where species or subspecies 
15 
naturally occur or has naturally established its population that are crucial to the 
16 
survival of a species and essential for its conservation; 
17 
p. "Critical watershed" refers to areas designated by the Secretary pursuant to the 
18 
Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and for their ability to supply 
19 
water for domestic, agriculture and/or industrial use; 
20 
q. "Degraded forests" refer to forests with varying degrees of disturbance or loss of 
21 
structure, function, species composition and productivity of less than 60% forest 
22 
cover; 
23 
r. 
"Delimitation" refers to the establishment of permanent boundaries between 
24 
forestlands, national parks/protected areas and agricultural lands. as a result of 
25 
demarcation; 
26 
s. "Delineation" refers to the establishment of boundaries between forestlands, 
27 
national parks/protected areas and agricultural lands as a result of a conduct of 
28 
site investigation, reconnaissance and field verification in accordance with the 
7 


1 
criteria set by the Department; 
2 
t. 
"Demarcation" refers to the establishment of boundaries using visible markers, 
3 
monuments or known natural features/landmarks, among others, as result of the 
4 
actual ground delineation; 
5 
u. "Denuded forestlands" refers to forestlands that are devoid of forest tree cover; 
6 
v. "Department" refers to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
7 
(DENR); 
8 
w. "Environmental Impact Assessment" or "EIA" refers to the process of 
9 
predicting the likely environmental consequences of implementing a project or 
10 
undertaking 
and 
designing 
the 
appropriate 
preventive, 
mitigating, 
or 
11 
enhancement measures; 
12 
x. "Environmental Compliance Certificate" or "ECC" refers to the document 
13 
issued by the Department certifying that a proposed project or undertaking will 
, 
14 
not cause a significant negative impact on the environment; thaUhe proponent 
15 
has complied with all the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment 
16 
System; and that the proponent is committed to implement its approved 
17 
Environment Management Plan found in the Environmental Impact Statement 
18 
(EIS) or mitigation measures identified in the Initial Environmental Examination 
19 
(lEE); 
20 
y. "Environmental Impact Statement System" or "EIS System" refers to the 
21 
organization, administration, and procedures that have been institutionalized 
22 
pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 for purposes of assessing the 
23 
Significance of the effects of any project or undertaking on the quality of the 
24 
physical, biological, and social-economic environment and designing the 
25 
appropriate mitigating and enhancement measures; 
26 
z. "Environmentally Critical Project" refers to project or program that has high 
27 
potential for significant negative environmental impact; 
8 


1 
aa. "Forest" refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated by 
2 
trees and other woody vegetation; a community of plants and animals interacting 
3 
with one another and its physical environment. 
It shall consist of trees with 
4 
overlapping crown of 60-100% forest cover; 
5 
bb. "Forest guard" refers to any public officer who by the nature of his appointment 
6 
or the functions of the position to which he is appointed is delegated by law and 
7 
regulations or commissioned by competent authorities to execute, implement or 
8 
enforce the provisions of this Act and other related laws and regulations; 
9 
cc. "Forest products" refer to goods and services derived from forest such as, but 
10 
not limited to, timber, lumber, veneer, plywood, fiber board, pulpwood, bark, tree 
11 
top, resin, gums, wood oil, honey, bees wax, nipa, rattan, or other forest growth 
12 
such as grass, shrub and flowering plants, the associated water, fish, game, as 
13 
well as its scenic, historical, educational, social and ecological value; 
14 
dd. "Forest resources" refer to all resources, whether biomass such as plants and 
15 
animals including its by-products and derivatives, which can be a raw material, or 
16 
non-biomass such as soil, water, scenery, as weH as the intangible services and 
17 
values present in forestlands or in other lands devoted for forest purposes; 
18 
ee. "Forest/Forest-Dependent Community" refers to a group of people residing 
19 
inside or immediately adjacent to a particular forestland who are largely or partly 
20 
dependent on the forest resources found therein for their livelihood; 
21 
ff. "Forestlands" refer to lands of the public domain classified as needed for forest 
22 
purposes. They shall include all forest reserves, forest reservations and all 
23 
remaining unclassified lands of the public domain; 
24 
gg. "Genetic engineering" refers to genetic modification, or a special form of 
25 
biotechnology in which a section of DNA from one organism is introduced into 
26 
another, in which it does not naturally occur, in order to produce a genetically 
27 
modified organism (GMO) with favorable properties based on the new 
28 
combination of genes. The new genes in the transgenic organism may be from 
9 


1 
an entirely different type of organism, or from a closely related lineage. 
2 
hh. "Genetically modified organisms" or "GMOs" refer to organisms in which the 
3 
genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. GMOs 
4 
can be bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants or animals, with the exception of human 
5 
beings; 
6 
ii. "Grazing land" refers to a portion of the public domain which has been set aside, 
7 
in view of its topography and vegetation, for the raising of livestock; 
8 
jj. "Greenhouse gas" refers to any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the 
9 
atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (C02), 
10 
Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone 
11 
(03), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC~); 
12 
kk. "Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples" or "ICCs/IPs" refer 
13 
to a group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and 
14 
ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community on 
15 
communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of 
16 
ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such 
17 
territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other 
18 
distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and 
19 
cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became 
20 
historically differentiated from the majority of the Filipinos. ICCs/IPs shall likewise 
21 
include people who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from 
22 
the populations which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or 
23 
colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or 
24 
the establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own 
25 
social, economiC, cultural and political institutions, but who may have been 
26 
displaced from their traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their 
27 
ancestral domains; 
10 


II. "Industrial Forest Management Agreement" or "IFMA" refers to a production-
2 
sharing contract entered into by and between the Department and a qualified 
3 
person, whether natural or juridical, wherein the former grants to the latter the 
4 
exclusive right and responsibility to invest in, develop, manage, and protect a 
5 
defined area of the production forestland, 
including the establishment, 
6 
management and utilization of industrial timber forest plantation, consistent with 
7 
the principle of sustainable development, primarily to supply the raw material 
8 
requirements of wood-based processing and energy-related industries and 
9 
wherein both parties share in the benefits therefrom; 
10 
mm. 
"Industrial Tree Plantation" or "ITP" refers to any tract of land planted 
11 
mainly to timber producing species, including rubber and/or non-timber species 
12 
primarily to supply the raw material requirements of forest-based industries, . 
13 
energy-generating plants, and related industries.; 
14 
nn. "Joint venture agreement" refers to an agreement where a joint-venture 
15 
company is organized by the State and another person for protection, restoration 
16 
and utilization, development and management of forestlands consistent with the 
17 
prescribed activities allowed under this Act, with both parties having equity 
18 
shares. Aside from earnings in equity, the State shall be entitled to a share in the 
19 
gross output; 
20 
00. "Kaingin" refers to a portion of the forest land, whether occupied or not, which is 
21 
subjected to shifting and/or permanent slash-and-burn cultivation having little or 
22 
no provision to prevent soil erosion; 
23 
pp. "Kaingin making" refers to a process employed to establish a kaingin; 
24 
qq. "Key Biodiversity Areas" refers to places of international importance for the 
25 
conservation of biodiversity; 
26 
rr. "Master Plan for Forestry Development" refers to the twenty-five (25) year 
27 
strategic program of the Forestry Sector envisioned to guide its long term 
28 
development. This program includes: (a) policy and institutional development; (b) 
11 


1 
restoration and rehabilitation c) watershed and forestry development; (d) 
2 
livelihood and poverty reduction; and (e) timber/non-timber industry development; 
3 
ss. "National Park" refers to the land of public domain classified as such in the 1987 
4 
Philippine Constitution which includes all areas under the National Integrated 
5 
Protected Areas System (NIPAS) pursuant to RA 7586, primarily set aside and 
6 
designated for the conservation of native plants and animals, their associated 
7 
habitats and cultural diversity; 
, 
8 
It. "Non-government organization" or "NGO" refers to a non-stock, non-profit, 
9 
and voluntary organization; 
10 
uu. "Non-timber based industries" refer to various industries that are dependent on 
11 
raw materials or products derived from forests such as, but not limited to, rattan, 
12 
bamboo, vines, latex, resins, saps, essences, fruits, flowers or wild flora and 
13 
fauna; 
14 
vv. "Non-timber charges" refer to the levy imposed and collected by government on 
15 
various industries that are dependent on raw materials or products derived from 
16 
forests such as, but not limited to, rattan, bamboo, vines, latex, resins, saps, 
17 
essences, fruits, flowers or wild flora and fauna, as well ecological and aesthetic 
18 
services; 
19 
ww. "Non-timber forest products" refer to all products gathered from the forest 
20 
that are not timber, which include, but not limited to, rattan, bamboo, vine, herb, 
21 
exudates, gum, resin, beeswax, gutapercha, and almaciga resin; 
22 
xx. "Permit" refers to a short -term privilege or authority granted by the State to a 
23 
person to utilize any limited forest resource or undertake a limited activity within 
24 
any forest land without any right of occupation, possession, and ownership 
25 
therein; 
26 
yy. "Person" refers to a natural or juridical person, including local forest communities 
27 
and/or indigenous peoples organized in accordance with law or custom; 
12 


1 
ZZ. "Plantation forestry" refers to the planting of one or two species for the sole 
2 
purpose of harvesting; 
3 
aaa. "Primary forest" refers to forest which has never been subject to human 
4 
disturbance or has been so little affected by hunting, gathering and tree cutting 
5 
that its natural structure, function and dynamics have not undergone any 
6 
changes that exceed the elastic capacity of the ecosystem; 
7 
bbb. "Processing plant" or "Processing mill" refers to any mechanical set-up, 
8 
device, machine or combination of machines used for the conversion of logs and 
9 
other forest raw materials into lumber, fiberboard, pulp, paper or other finished 
10 
wood products; 
11 
ccc. "Production forestlands" refer to the forestlands defined under Sec. 8(b) of 
12 
this Act; 
13 
ddd. "Production sharing agreement" refers to an agreement wherein the State 
14 
grants a person/s, who provides all the necessary financing, technology, 
15 
management and personnel, the exclusive right to conduct forestry development 
, 
16 
activities within but not title over, the contract area and shares in 'the production 
17 
whether in kind or in value as owner of forest product therein; 
18 
eee. "Protected Areas" refer to identified portions of land and water set aside by 
19 
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
20 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation. They 
21 
shall constitute the areas established under the National Integrated Protected 
22 
Areas System (NIPAS) pursuant to RA 7586 and shall fall under the National 
23 
Park classification of public domain; 
24 
fff. "Protection forestlands" refer to the forestlands defined under Sec. 8 (a) of thiS 
25 
Act; 
26 
ggg. "Reforestation" refers to all land use activities directed towards restoration, 
27 
establishment and sustained management using native species of diversified 
28 
vegetation on denuded, degraded and/or marginal lands, including but not limited 
13 


to the planting and tending of timber, orchard and multi-use trees; 
2 
hhh. "Reservation" refers to an area of the public domain reserved by law for a 
3 
specific purpose; 
4 
iii. "Restoration" refers to the bringing back of the forestland to its original state in 
5 
terms of species composition, structure, function and productivity; 
i 
, 
6 
jjj. "Restoration zones" refer to the area where restoration activities are conducted 
7 
and where the original vegetation shall be restored; 
8 
kkk. "Road" refers to bulldozed land which is accessible by at least a two-wheel 
9 
motorized vehicle; 
10 
III. "Rotation" refers to the number of years between the initial establishment of a 
11 
plantation and the time when it is considered ready for harvesting; 
12 
mmm. "Secondary forest" refers to a former forest that was logged over and is 
13 
characterized by residuals; 
14 
nnn. "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the DENR; 
15 
000. "Semi-finished wood products" refer to wood products requiring final stages 
16 
of manufacture and/or assembly such as, but not limited to, window components, 
17 
table tops, veneer, tongue and groove planks, steps for stairs, and other similar 
18 
products; 
19 
ppp. "Silvicultural practices" refer to any action by man to further improve or 
20 
enhance the stand growth as a whole or the single tree for future harvest 
21 
including assisted natural regeneration and tree surgery, among others; 
22 
qqq. "Subdivision" refers to a tract or parcel of land partitioned into individual lots, 
23 
with or without improvements thereon, primarily for residential purposes; 
24 
rrr. "Sustainable development" refers to development that meets thr needs of the 
25 
present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their 
26 
own needs; 
27 
sss. "Sustainable forest management" or "SFM" refers to the process of 
28 
managing a forest to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives of 
14 


1 
management with regard to production of continuous flow of desired forest 
2 
products and services without undue reduction of its inherent values and future 
3 
productivity and without undesirable effects on the physical and social 
4 
environment; 
5 
ttt, "Tenure" refers to the guaranteed peaceful possession and use of specific forest 
6 
land area and specific resources found therein, covered by an agreement, 
7 
contract, or grant which cannot be altered or abrogated without due process; 
8 
uuu, "Timber-based industries" refer to industries that are dependent on wood as 
9 
the principal raw material including but not limited to sawmilling, pulp and paper 
10 
making, and plywood and veneer manufacturing or the upstream wood-based 
11 
industries, as well as the secondary and tertiary wood processing or downstream 
12 
industry such as moldings and furniture manufacturing; 
13 
VVV, "Timber charges" refer to the levy imposed and collected by t~e government 
14 
on timber products cut, harvested, or gathered from production forestlands and 
15 
from alienable and disposable (A&D) lands in accordance with Republic Act No, 
16 
7161; 
17 
www, "Timber License Agreement" or "TLA" refers to a privilege granted by the 
18 
State to a person to utilize forest resources within an area with the right of 
19 
possession and occupation thereof to the exclusion of others except the 
20 
government, but with the corresponding obligation to develop, protect, and 
21 
rehabilitate the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the 
22 
said agreement; 
23 
xxx, "Timber plantation" refers to a tree stand established by planting and/or 
24 
seeding, The stand is either of introduced species (all planted stands), or an 
25 
intensively managed stand of any indigenous species, which meets all the 
26 
following criteria: one or two species at plantation, even-aged class, and regular 
27 
spacing for the primary purpose of harvesting timber or any of its by-product; 
28 
yyy, "Transgenic" refers to a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically 
15 


I 
engineered organism (GEO) whose genetic material has been altered using 
2 
genetic engineering techniques. It is the process of introducing an exogenous 
3 
gene into a living organism so that the organism will exhibit a new property and 
4 
transmit that property to its offspring; 
5 
zzz. "Watershed Continuum" refers to an area consisting of the watershed and its 
6 
divide including its connection from the headwaters to the reef; 
7 
aaaa. "Watershed Continuum Management" or "WCM" refers to a management 
8 
system 
that will 
provide the 
optimum 
social, 
cultural, 
economic and 
9 
environmental benefits to the greatest number of people, particularly those living 
10 
in, adjacent to, or downstream of, individual watershed areas, while maintaining 
II 
the biological and cultural heritage of the country. It is the holistic multiple use 
12 
and sustainable management of all the resources within a spatial unit known as 
13 
the watershed. The Watershed Continuum Management is based on the 
14 
following guiding principles: (1) Ecological sustainability; (2) Social and cultural 
15 
sustainability; (3) Economic sustainability; and (4) Institutional sustainability; 
16 
bbbb. "Watershed Reservation" refers to a forestland reservation established to 
17 
protect or improve the conditions of water yield thereof or reduce sedimentation; 
18 
cccc. 
"Wildlife" refers to wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all 
19 
developmental stages; and 
20 
dddd. "Woodlots" refer to a track or plot of land planted with fast growing tree 
21 
species basically for fuelwood purposes. Woodlot is the major component in 
! 
22 
Rotational Woodlot Agroforestry Systems which aim to satisfy house and regional 
I 
23 
fuelwood demand while reducing harvesting pressure on local forests. Rotational 
24 
Woodlot 
Agroforestry 
Systems 
include 
the 
following 
components: 
(1) 
25 
Establishment, which includes tree and crop intercropping; (2) Fallow, which 
26 
pertains to build up of wood and soil fertility; and (3) Post-fallow, which pertains to 
27 
wood harvesting and sequential cropping. 
16 


CHAPTER II 
2 
CLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT FORESTLANDS 
3 
SECTION 5. 
Permanent Forestlands. All forestlands currently classified as such 
4 
SECTION 6. 
Instruments within Permanent Forestlands. Titles, settlements, 
5 
permits, lease, and/or agreements within critical habitats, critical watershed areas, 
6 
protected areas, important biodiversity areas (IBAs), and key biodiversity areas (KBAs), 
7 
shall be reviewed, and its legality determined. All erroneous titles, settlements, permits, 
8 
leases and/or agreements or non-compliance to and in violation of provisions of 
9 
agreements shall duly be cancelled or revoked; Provided, That the applicable provisions of 
I 
10 
the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) shall be respected. The LGU, upon 
, 
11 
endorsement from the Forest Management Board or motu proprio, shall recommend to the 
J 2 
Secretary revocation of these instruments. The Secretary, upon recommendation or motu 
13 
proprio shall revoke such instrument. 
14 
SECTION 7. 
Additional Areas to be Included as Permanent Forestlands The 
15 
following lands are needed for environmental protection and forestry purposes and shall not 
16 
therefore be classified as agricultural lands or for other land use: 
17 
a. Isolated patches of forest, regardless of size of area, with rocky terrain or which 
18 
protect a spring for communal use; 
19 
b. All mangroves and swamplands including twenty-meter wide strips thereof facing 
20 
oceans, lakes and other bodies of water not yet classified as alienable and 
21 
disposable lands; 
22 
c. Ridge tops and plateaus regardless of size found within or surrounded wholly or 
23 
partially by forestlands where headwaters emanate; 
24 
d. Twenty-meter wide strips of land from the edge of the normal high waterline of 
25 
rivers and streams with channels of at least five (5) meters wide which are not 
26 
yet classified as alienable and disposable; 
27 
e. Areas needed for other purposes of public interest such as research or 
28 
experimental purposes and others; and 
17 


1 
f. 
Areas considered environmentally critical because of their vulnerability to 
2 
damage from landslides, volcanic eruptions, and other natural causes. 
3 
Owners who have acquired vested rights over lands enumerated above are required to 
4 
implement soil and water conservation measures, in coordination with the Department and 
5 
the appropriate local government unit. An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) 
6 
shall be required in these environmentally critical areas in accordance with existing law: 
7 
Provided, That the Department, in coordination with the concerned local government unit, 
8 
shall immediately take the necessary steps to expropriate the property concerned, to 
9 
impose the necessary fines, penalties and costs of rehabilitation and implementation of the 
10 
required soil and water conservation measures, and to cancel and/or amend any title used 
11 
thereon or impose fines or will be subject to cancellation or revocation under any of the 
12 
following conditions: 
13 
a. Failure of the owner, after due notice, to implement appropriate soil and water 
14 
conservation; 
15 
b. Failure of the owner/s to comply with ECC requirements when required; 
16 
c. The issuance of titles over such areas was accomplished through fraud, 
17 
deceit, misrepresentations or other anomalies; or 
18 
d. When public interest so requires. 
19 
Provided further, That the concerned LGUs may recommend to the DENR to file 
20 
expropriation proceedings given the conditions enumerated in this provision. 
21 
SECTION 8. 
Sub-Classification of the Permanent Forestlands. The permanent 
22 
forestlands shall be sub-classified into the following categories according to primary use: 
23 
a. Protection forestlands shall consist of all natural and restored forests including 
24 
areas identified as key biodiversity areas, critical habitats, freshwater, swamps, 
25 
and marshes, all areas along the bank of rivers and streams, and the shores of 
26 
the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of three (3) 
27 
meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas, and forty (40) 
28 
meters in forest areas, along their margins which are subject to the easement of 
18 


public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage 
2 
shall also be sub-classified as protection forestlands. All extractive industries 
3 
such as, but not limited to, logging and mining are banned in these protection 
4 
forestlands; Provided, That the provisions of the IPRA shall be respected; 
5 
b. Production forestlands shall be all forestlands not sub-classified as protection 
6 
forestlands defined in this Section, and shall be devoted to the production of 
7 
timber and/or non-forest products or the establishment of industrial tree 
8 
plantations,tree farms, communal forests, agroforestry, grazing, or as multiple-
9 
use forests including water-based energy areas such as but not limited to hydro 
10 
and geothermal reservations: Provided, That they shall be managed, developed, 
11 
and utilized in accordance with a LGU-approved management plan consistent 
12 
with the prescribed Forestry Master Plan and 
based on sustainable forest 
13 
management principles: Provided, further, That the department may change the 
14 
sub-classification of specific areas of production forestlands into protection areas 
15 
and recommend to Congress their establishment as part of the integrated 
16 
protected area systems in accordance with the NIPAS Act, or as critical habitat 
17 
under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act: Provided finally, 
18 
that ancestral domains located within protection and production forests shall be 
19 
governed by customary laws; 
20 
c. Restoration areas are areas to be designated in the management plan as such. 
21 
Designation of a restoration area is compulsory in all forest management plans. 
22 
SECTION 9. 
Demarcation and delimitation. Upon approval of this Act, the 
23 
Congress shall provide funds for the Department to demarcate on the ground the actual 
24 
land classification lines: Provided, That the Secretary, upon completion of the actual 
25 
assessment of the demarcated land classification lines, shall recommend to Congress the 
26 
delimitation of the forestlands found to be still suitable and capable for its purpose, 
27 
Provided further, That the Department shall submit an annual accomplishment report and 
28 
that within five (5) years, has caused the complete demarcation and delimitation of land 
19 


I 
1 
classification lines. 
2 
SECTION 10. 
Availability of records. Records pertaining to the specific limits of 
3 
forestlands shall be made available to the public upon request. Moreover, the Department 
4 
shall furnish all provincial, municipal and city government copies of the maps of permanent 
5 
forestlands located within their respective territorial jurisdictions. 
6 
CHAPTER III 
7 
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FORESTLANDS AND ITS RESOURCES 
8 
SECTION 11. 
Jurisdiction and control of forestlands. The Department shall be 
9 
the 'primary agency responsible for the conservation, restoration and the sustainable 
10 
utilization of forestlands and the unclassified lands of the public domain. It shall formulate a 
11 
national forestry master plan and the policies promulgated in this Act. In coordination with 
12 
LGUs and other government agencies, it shall ensure that forestlands and unclassified 
13 
lands of the public domain are managed, conserved, developed, utilized and protected 
14 
consistent with the po.licies promulgated in this Act; Provided, that the management plan for 
15 
protected areas shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the 'NIPAS Act, the 
16 
Wildlife Resources Act, the Local Government Code, and the IPRA, and other relevant laws 
17 
and international covenants, as well as other pertinent laws; Provided further, that certain 
18 
functions and powers of the Department may be devolved to the local government units. 
19 
SECTION 12. 
Co-Management Agreement for the Devolution of Functions. The 
20 
Department, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the concerned LGUs 
21 
shall execute a co-management agreement, which shall contain the program and schedule 
22 
by which functions shall be strategically devolved, providing for capacity-building and 
23 
empowerment mechanisms. 
24 
SECTION 13. 
Powers and Responsibilities of the LGUs. Pursuant to the pertinent 
25 
prOVisions of Republic Act. No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, LGUs shall share the 
26 
responsibility in the sustainable management and utilization of forest resources within their 
27 
territorial jurisdiction including those assigned by law to other government agencies. The 
28 
LGU and the Department shall jointly undertake the preparation and implementation of 
20 


forestland use and watershed continuum management plans, consistent with the Ancestral 
2 
Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) and in consultation with 
3 
other government agencies, local communities, non- government organizations and other 
4 
sectors. Partnerships with LGUs and local communities are highly encouraged. Such plans 
5 
shall be fully funded and made an integral component of the LGU's Comprehensive Land 
6 
Use Plan (CLUP). 
7 
The devolved functions include, but are not limited to, the following: 
8 
a) Implementation of community-based forestry projects, e.g. Community-based 
9 
Forest Management Agreements; 
10 
b) Establishment of reforestation projects except in protected areas and critical 
11 
watersheds; 
12 
c) Completed family and contract reforestation projects; 
13 
d) Forest Land Management Agreements; 
14 
e) Community Forestry Projects; 
15 
f) Management and control of forests located in the LGU's jurisdiction; 
16 
g) Management, protection, rehabilitation and maintenance of small watershed 
17 
areas which are sources of local water supply as identified or to be identified by 
18 
the DENR; 
19 
h) Enforcement of forestry laws; and 
20 
i) Prevention of forest fires, integrated pest management and protection against 
21 
forest invasive species. 
22 
SECTION 14. 
Multi-sectoral participation. 
In 
formulating 
conservation 
and 
23 
management plans and programs, multi-sectoral participation shall be required. 
24 
SECTION 15. 
Local Government Unit Consent and Consultation., - Proponents 
25 
of all forestry projects to be implemented in the LGUs' territorial jurisdiction shall strictly 
26 
comply with Sections 26 and 27 of the Local Government Code. 
27 
SECTION 16. 
Forest Board. A Forest board (Board) shall be created at the 
28 
municipal level which shall be composed of a representative from the LGU and 
21 


1 
representatives of different sectors including but not limited to, women, farmers, fisherfolks, 
2 
and indigenous peoples, shall set the policy direction for the management, utilization and 
3 
development of forestlands and resources found within their respective jurisdictions in 
4 
accordance with the watershed continuum plan. 
5 
SECTION 17. 
Functions of the Forest Board. The Board shall be responsible for 
6 
the over-all policy direction for the management of the forestlands and forest resources 
7 
found within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with the provisions of this Act. It 
8 
shall review and recommend implementation of programs and projects and perform 
9 
oversight functions on matters pertaining to environment and natural resources. It shall also 
10 
participate in the review and recommend relevant policies for the protection, conservation 
11 
and restoration efforts within the continuum and ensure the contribution of the forestry 
12 
sector to national economy, ecological sustainability and sustainable development closely 
13 
adhering to the prinCiples and action plans set under Philippine Agenda 21 find its revised 
14 
versions. It shall moreover facilitate the initiation of the LGU's participation in the devolution 
15 
program and shall monitor the transfer and implementation of devolved functions at the 
16 
LGU. 
17 
SECTION 18. 
Creation of a Municipal Environment and Natural Resources 
18 
Office. 
A Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) is hereby 
19 
created, including the position for the MuniCipal Environment and Natural Resources 
20 
Officer. The LGU shall ensure that funds are available for the operations and salaries of 
21 
personnel for this Office. 
22 
SECTION 19. 
Qualifications of a MuniCipal Environment and Natural Resources 
23 
Officer. 
The MuniCipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer should have a 
24 
background in planning, natural and environmental SCience, and should be civil service 
25 
eligible. 
26 
SECTION 20. 
Functions of the MENRO. The MENRO shall facilitate the 
27 
preparation of management plans. It shall recommend to the Board relevant policies for the 
28 
protection, conservation and restoration efforts within the continuum. It shall evaluate 
22 


1 
applications for forest management agreements; monitor the performance of holders of 
2 
all tenurial instrul')1ents issued by the LGU and Department. 
The ,MENRO may 
3 
recommend to DENR appropriate action with regard to the implementation of pertinent 
4 
laws, rules and regulations. The MENRO shall exercise visitorial powers over the 
5 
forestlands. 
6 
SECTION 21. 
Forest Management Committee within a watershed continuum. A 
7 
forest management committee shall be created under the Municipal Development Council. 
8 
Municipalities/cities falling within the same watershed continuum shall form a forest 
9 
management committee within the Provincial Development Council. Provided further, that 
10 
provinces falling under the same watershed continuum will create a committee within the 
11 
Regional Development Council. These committees shall be responsible for the preparation 
12 
of the required overall management plans, in relation to the direction set by their respective 
13 
Forest Boards. 
14 
SECTION 22. 
Forestlands under Other Government Agencies. Forestlands 
15 
and/or portions thereof which have been assigned by law to the administration and 
16 
management of other government agencies for a specific purpose prior to the passage of 
17 
this Act shall remain under the administration and management of these government 
18 
agencies which shall be responsible for their conservation, protection, and restoration. The 
19 
Secretary and the concerned local chief executive or their respective duly authorized 
20 
representative shall exercise visitorial powers over these forestlands. 
Moreover, these 
21 
forestlands shall be administered in accordance with a forest management plan embodied 
22 
in the comprehensive forest management and land use plan of the LGU, which shall be 
23 
prepared by the concerned management committee of the watershed continuum level 
24 
within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. Said multi-sectoral body shall periodically 
25 
review, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the said management plan. Provided, 
26 
that the harvesting of forest resources and building of roads and other infrastructure therein 
27 
shall be undertaken only with the prior approval of the LGU upon the endorsement of the 
28 
local forestry boards, and after compliance with EIS and ECC requirements: Provided 
23 
 
L 


1 
further, that the LGU shall endorse to the Secretary who shall recommend to Congress or 
2 
the President of the Philippines the reversion to the LGU of the jurisdiction and control over 
3 
forestlands that are no longer needed nor used for the purpose by which they have been 
4 
constituted or in case the agency concerned fails to rehabilitate, protect, and conserve the 
5 
forestland resources in accordance with the approved management plan. The LGU, in 
6 
coordination with its forestry board and consistent with the watershed continuum plan, shall 
7 
determine the use of the reverted forestlands. 
8 
SECTION 23. 
Forest Resources within Alienable and Disposable Lands. All 
9 
forest resources planted or raised within alienable and disposable lands belong to the 
10 
holder of the instrument giving rights to the claimant, who shall have the right to sell, 
I 
11 
contract, conveyor dispose of the same subject to a certification process t~ be developed 
12 
by the Department. The Department shall prepare the guidelines in coordination and 
13 
cooperation with LGUs and multi-sectoral consultations. Holders of said instruments who 
14 
register their forests lands for forestry purposes with the LGU shall be assisted in the 
15 
preparation of a management plan consistent with the watershed continuum management 
16 
plan, and shall be entitled to appropriate incentives provided under Section 44 herein, on 
17 
reforestation in private lands: Provided, That alienable and disposable lands devoted to the 
18 
planting and harvesting of forest resources shall remain subject to the provisions of 
19 
Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law or any other similar 
20 
laws that may be enacted. 
21 
SECTION 24. 
Forest Resources within Production Forestlands. Resources, 
22 
including non-timber forest products, its by-products and its derivatives, whether naturally 
23 
growing, planted or raised, which have been taken or have been applied with some 
24 
silvicultural practices, within production forestlands shall be issued the appropriate permit, 
25 
agreement or clearance. Any declaration of forest resources as threatened shall be in 
26 
accordance with the Wildlife Act and other relevant laws. 
27 
SECTION 25. 
Logging in Production Forestlands. To ensure'the conservation and 
28 
sustainable use of forest resources in production forestlands, holders of timber licenses, 
24 


1 
permits and/or agreements shall submit to the LGU an Integrated Operations Plan (lOP) 
2 
containing strict environmental guidelines such as ECC compliance. All forest development 
3 
activities such as logging, reforestation, timber stand improvement, forest protection, and 
4 
delivery of community service within an area covered by timber concessions shall be 
5 
consolidated under the lOP, which shall be prepared by or under the supervision of an 
6 
accredited private registered forester whose signature and dry seal shall appear in the plan 
7 
and the supporting documents submitted for this purpose. 
8 
SECTION 26. 
Forest Resources within Protection Forestlands. Only non-timber 
9 
forest products shall be allowed to be extracted from protection forestlands and shall be 
10 
issued the appropriate permit, agreement or license, Provided, that harvesting or gathering 
11 
of timber for subsistence use of indigenous communities and forest communities shall be 
12 
allowed but only in woodlots established by the communities. Any declaration of forest 
13 
resources as threatened, and other restrictions shall be in accordance to the Wildlife Act. 
14 
SECTION 27. 
Absolutely Prohibited Activities in Protection Forestlands. 
15 
Commercial logging, mining and other similar extractive activities such as but not limited to 
16 
treasure hunting shall be absolutely prohibited in protection forestlands. 
17 
SECTION 28. 
Review of Reservations within Protection Forestlands. 
All 
18 
reservations made within protection forestlands shall be reviewed. Reservations which are 
! 
19 
contrary to the provisions of this Act, including, among others, mineral or settlement 
20 
reservations, shall be withdrawn. 
21 
SECTION 29. 
Commercial Logging Ban in Protection forestlands. There shall be 
22 
a permanent ban on commercial logging activities in all protection forests defined, 
23 
categorized, and sub-classified in Section 8(a) herein. No licenses, permits, or agreements 
24 
to cut any timber therein shall be issued. 
25 
SECTION 30. 
Protection Forestlands covered by Existing Permits, Licenses 
26 
and/or Agreements. All existing permits, licenses and agreements shall be reviewed, and, 
27 
if protection forestlands are found within an agreement or licensed area, such protection 
28 
forestlands shall be immediately excised from said permit, license and/or agreement, and 
25 


1 
the holder of the agreement or license shall establish a buffer zone and delineate their 
2 
boundaries with the production forestlands, marking the same with concrete monuments, 
3 
road, or infrastructure, or any other visible, permanent, and practicable signs. 
4 
SECTION 31. 
Duty of the License Permit-holder. 
In coordination with the 
5 
concerned LGU, the agreement- or license-holders shall protect and conserve such 
6 
protection area following a plan consistent with the prescribed management plan for key 
7 
biodiversity areas or similar strategies by the Department. 
The agreement- or license-
i 
8 
holder concerned shall be accountable for the destruction of such protection forestlands 
9 
that did not result from force majeure, and such destruction shall serve as basis, in addition 
10 
to the other violations enumerated in this Act hereof, for the termination or revocation of the 
11 
agreement, license, or permit, and the filing of proper charges under the NIPAS Act and 
12 
pertinent forestry laws, rules and regulations. In the absence of a contractor or agreement 
13 
holder over such production forestlands, the delineation of said boundary shall be 
14 
undertaken and prioritized by the Department. 
15 
SECTION 32. 
Non-Extension of Timber License Agreements. 
No extensions 
16 
shall be made on any existing TLA, and the area covered by the agreement shall 
17 
automatically be sub-classified as protection forestland after the representatives of the 
18 
Department, the LGUs concerned, the Department of Agrarian Reform, NGOs, peoples' 
19 
organizations, and other stakeholders had excluded degraded areas that may be subject of 
20 
a reforestation project. 
21 
SECTION 33. 
Forest Resources within Ancestral Domains/Ancestral Lands. 
22 
When forest resources are within ancestral domains/ancestral lands which are otherwise 
23 
production or protection forestlands, aside from the necessary permit, license or 
24 
agreement, the genuine free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous communities 
25 
shall also be secured. Provided, that if the indigenous communities will themselves harvest 
26 
these resources for their subsistence or survival use, the provisions of IPRA shall apply and 
27 
no permits shall be .required as owners of such resources. Provided finally, that, if the 
28 
indigenous peoples will themselves harvest such resources for commercial purposes, they 
26 


shall be subject to the same limitations and conditions as provided by this Act. 
2 
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) shall coordinate and consult the 
3 
Department in providing assistance to the indigenous peoples in the sustainable 
4 
management and development of forest resources within ancestral lands and domains. 
5 
SECTION 34. 
Mandatory EIA. Any permit, license, agreement or any other 
6 
instrument to develop or use forestlands or resources therein, including those found within 
7 
ancestral domains/lands that would result in severe soil erosion or environmental 
8 
degradation shall be subject to the provisions of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in 
9 
accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1151 or the Philippine Environmental Policy, 
10 
Presidential Decree No. 1586, Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System, 
11 
and this Act. 
12 
CHAPTER IV 
13 
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING, MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 
14 
SECTION 35. 
Forestry Master Plan. The Department shall periOdiC~IIY prepare the 
I 
1 S 
map, revisit or review the Forestry Master Plan in consultation with local stakeholders, and 
16 
shall revise the said plan according to the provisions of this bill, taking also into 
17 
consideration biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and other matters of the 
18 
same import. 
The Forestry Master Plan shall be presented to all LGUs, and other 
19 
stakeholders upon completion and shall be posted in conspicuous areas and made 
20 
accessible to the public. 
21 
SECTION 36. 
Sustainable Forest Management Planning. Subject to vested or 
22 
prior rights, the Department, in consultation and coordination with LGUs, other government 
23 
agencies, local communities, non-government organizations, individual and corporate 
24 
entities, private sectors, academic and research institutions, and other concerned sectors 
2S 
shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, develop and adopt a sustainable 
26 
forest management strategy for each well-defined watershed or other appropriate forest 
27 
management unit based on criteria, indicators, and standards for sustainable forest 
28 
management which, at their minimum, address the following requirements: 
27 


a. Rational allocation of forestland uses and promotion of land use practices that 
2 
increase productivity and conserve soil, water, and other forestland resources; 
3 
b. Protection of existing forest resources and conservation of biodiversity; 
, 
4 
c. Restoration of denuded areas, making use of indigenous tr~e species for 
5 
biodiversity conservation in protection forests and buffer strips of water channels 
6 
and bodies; 
7 
d. Establishment of tree plantations in production forest lands, private lands, and 
8 
alienable and disposable lands; 
9 
e. Enhancement of the socio-economic well-being of local communities including 
10 
indigenous peoples who are largely dependent on the forest for their livelihood; 
11 
f 
Promotion of closer coordination between and among the Department, LGUs, 
12 
other national agencies, non-govemment organizations, local communities, the 
13 
private sector, academic and research institutions and other entities in the 
14 
sUstainable management of forestlands; 
15 
g. Adoption of community-based forest management as a principal strategy in the 
16 
management of forestlands and resources; and, 
17 
h. Harmonization and integration of the forest management plan of forestlands and 
18 
resources with other plans, such as the forest management plan and the land 
19 
use plans of the LGUs, protected areas management plans in areas covered by 
20 
the same, critical habitat management plan, barangay development plan, CLUP 
21 
of cities and muniCipalities and physical framework plans of the provinces and 
22 
the regional development plans, and be consistent with the ancestral domain 
23 
managem~nt plans and protected area management plans areas eovered. 
24 
The Department shall continue to adopt the Master Plan for Forestr,y Development 
25 
subject to periodic review every five (5) years .. 
26 
SECTION 37. 
Watershed Continuum Management Strategy. The Watershed 
27 
Continuum Planning and Management Framework in Environment and Natural Resources 
28 
sha". be adopted. The strategy for improved watershed resources management shall be 
28 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


demand-driven, community-based, and multiple- and sustainable-use considering national 
2 
priorities and concerns of local stakeholders. Watershed continuum management programs 
3 
initiated by the government shall be guided by ecological, socio-cultural, economic, and 
4 
institutional sustainability principles. A National Watershed Information System shall be 
5 
developed to guide policy formulation, program development, and implementation of 
6 
watershed continuum management initiatives. 
The Department in consultation with the 
7 
LGUs shall identify the watershed continuum in the country and provide the maps for each. 
S 
SECTION 38. 
Prioritization of watersheds. A system of prioritization of watersheds 
9 
shall be pursued considering the following: 
10 
a. Biodiversity and environmental enhancement; 
11 
b. Cultural and historical value; 
12 
c. Water supply for domestic, irrigation, power, industrial, and commercial use; 
13 
d. 
Contributio~ to the economy; and 
14 
e. Effect on downstream areas. 
15 
SECTION 39. 
Forest Resource Database and Monitoring System. Areas 
16 
identified by the Department as forests as defined under this Act shall be verified and 
17 
validated by the Forest Development Center, including those within ancestral domains and 
18 
lands. A centralized forestland resource database shall be made available to the public at 
19 
all times, on-line if possible, which shall consist of comprehensive updated information on 
20 
the physical, social, economic, biological, environmental and cultural components of the 
21 
country's forestlands and shall include a log eontrol monitoring or timber identification 
22 
system to enable the Department and its field offices to track the movement or transfer of 
23 
timber and other forest products from a forestland source to their end users. 
The 
24 
Department shall conduct and/or update forest resource inventory at least once every five 
25 
(5) years to ensure effective management. 
26 
SECTION 40. 
Environmental Impact Assessment, Resource Accounting and 
27 
Valuation. All new environmentally critical projects to be implemented in forestlands, such 
28 
as harvesting, grazing and other special uses, mineral prospecting and exploration, and 
29 


\ 
\ 
\ 
\ 
1 
road, infrastructure, and mill construction, shall be subject to Environmental Impact 
2 
Assessment (EIA) in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1151 or the Philippine 
3 
Environmental Policy, and Presidential Decree No. 1586, Establishing an Environmental 
4 
Impact Statement System. A SCientific resource valuation of impacts of affected biophysical 
5 
and environmental elements, and an extended benefit cost analysis shall be used in the 
6 
EISS. The Department shall design and implement a system of regular periodic monitoring 
7 
and assessment using the Criteria and Indicators as framework and shall formulate 
8 
appropriate standards as basis for assessing progress towards sustainable forest 
9 
management. Furthermore, the Department shall design and implement an appropriate 
10 
natural resources accounting and valuation system for various forestry initiatives. The 
11 
Department shall establish the total value of forestlands based on multiple uses, including 
12 
their environmental services. 
13 
CHAPTER V 
14 
REFORESTATION AND RESTORATION 
15 
SECTION 41. 
Restoration in Protection Forestlands. The restoration of all critical 
16 
watersheds and critical, denuded, and degraded forests within protection areas shall be 
17 
prioritized. Only the use of indigenous or native species in the restoration and rehabilitation 
18 
of protection areas shall be adopted to enhance biological diversity therein. The LGUs in 
19 
coordination with the Department, other government agencies, NGOs, local residents and 
. 
, 
20 
communities, and other sectors concerned, shall identify and prioritize forestlands to be 
21 
reforested. The LGU, consistent with the watershed continuum plan and the corresponding 
22 
municipal forest land use plan may enter into agreements with qualified persons, including 
23 
forest community organizations, in the restoration of protection forestlands. 
24 
SECTION 42. 
Identification of Restoration Forestlands. LGUs, In cooperation 
25 
with the DENR and other government agencies, NGOs, local residents and communities 
26 
shall identify and prioritize forestlands to be restored, Provided, priority restoration shall be 
27 
a band of two hundred (200) meters from the boundary of protection areas and protected 
28 
areas, abandoned mines and abandoned and idle fishpond~ for mangrove restoration. For 
30 


1 
mangrove forests, the LGU shall prepare a rehabilitation plan to restore mangroves in their 
2 
area. Provided further, That an accelerated restoration program in such identified priority 
3 
protection forestlands shall be undertaken to raise the forest cover therein at least fifty 
4 
percent (50%) of the prioritized area within five (5) years and eighty percent (80%) of the 
5 
area within ten (10) years from effectivity of this Act. The LGU shall allot funds to effectively 
6 
accomplish restoration either by its own or through permit, license and/or agreement in 
7 
protection forestlands. The Department or other agencies responsible for restoration shall 
8 
give priority to local communities in the granting of technical and financial assistance for 
9 
restoration activities, Provided finally, That assisted natural regeneration (ANR) shall be 
10 
encouraged in protection forestlands. 
1 1 
SECTION 43. 
, 
Reforestation or Tree Plantation Development in Production 
12 
Forestlands. In accordance with Section 50 herein, the LGU may enter into joint venture, 
13 
co-production, or production-sharing agreement with qualified persons to reforest or to 
14 
develop tree plantations in production forestlands, Provided, that palm plantations and the 
15 
like shall not be allowed in production forestlands. 
16 
SECTION 44. 
Reforestation in Forestlands under the Jurisdiction of Other 
17 
Government Agencies. 
Government agencies and institutions having management 
18 
control over forestlands pursuant to a law or grant shall be responsible for the reforestation 
19 
of denuded and degraded portions of such forestlands. The reforestation program of these 
20 
agencies shall aim to increase the vegetation of the degraded areas using native species, 
21 
to be identified jointly by the Department and agency concerned and multi-sectoral 
22 
stakeholders. The concerned agency in coordination with the LGU shall prepare the 
23 
reforestation plan, consistent with the watershed continuum plan and determine the ratio of 
24 
forested areas at any given time. Failure to reforest denuded and/or degraded forestland 
25 
identified in the reforestation plan within the period herein prescribed shall be sufficient 
26 
ground to request for reversion of the said forestlands to the jurisdiction and control of the 
27 
LGU: Provided, however, That in areas where Community-based Forest Management 
28 
Strategy (CBFMS) shall be implemented or where there are existing facilities for basic 
31 


1 
services such as water and power as allowed by the Department pursuant to the provisions 
2 
of this Act, the completion of the reforestation program shall be subject to the conditions 
3 
provided in the instrument to be awarded by the Department and the agency concerned to 
4 
the participating local community or individual or in the Forest Management Agreement of 
5 
contractors operating such facilities for basic services, as approved by the Department. 
6 
Provided finally, that whenever applicable, the use of ANR shall be preferred and 
7 
community-based forest management encouraged. 
8 
SECTION 45. 
Reforestation in Alienable and Disposable Lands and/or Private 
9 
Lands. Reforestation or the establishment of tree farms or tree plantations in private lands 
10 
guided by the watershed continuum Plan shall be encouraged: Provided, that such private 
11 
lands and other alienable and disposable lands are not prime agricultural lands as 
12 
determined or certified by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The private landowner(s) 
13 
shall also be entitled to the incentives provided for under Section 44 herein: Provided, that 
14 
such private tree plantations are duly registered with the Department. Whenever applicable, 
15 
use of ANR shall be preferred and community-based forest management encouraged. 
16 
SECTION 46. 
Incentives of Reforestation or Restoration within Production 
17 
Forestlands. To encourage qualified persons to engage in restoration or reforestation 
18 
activities, the following incentives shall be granted: 
19 
a. Upon the premature termination of the agreement at no fault of the holder, all 
20 
depreciable permanent and semi-permanen.t improvements such as roads, 
21 
buildings, and nurseries including the planted and standing trees and other forest 
22 
crops introduced and to be retained in the area shall be properly evaluated and 
I 
23 
the holder shall be entitled to a fair compensation thereof, the amount of which 
24 
shall be mutually agreed upon by both the LGU and the agreement holder, and in 
25 
case of disagreement between them, by arbitration through a mutually 
26 
acceptable and impartial third party adjudicator; 
27 
b. The agreement holder has the right to transfer, contract, sell, or convey his rights 
28 
to any qualified person following the guidelines to be issued by the Secretary, 
32 


1 
Provided, that if such restoration or reforestation were conducted within ancestral 
2 
domains/ancestral lands, the transferee shall secure the free, prior and informed 
3 
consent of the indigenous communities of such ancestral domains/ancestral 
4 
lands prior to such transfer; and 
5 
c. In the event the area restored has provided ecological services to the community, 
6 
user fees shall be allowed as incentives. 
7 
The Secretary may provide or recommend to the President or to Congress other 
! 
8 
incentives in addition to those granted herein and in existing laws in or(:ler to promote 
9 
reforestation and the establishment of tree plantations, Provided, That in no case shall the 
10 
Secretary provide incentives that shall put the State at a gross disadvantage, nor shall the 
11 
Secretary provide incentives of non-payment of taxes or other rightful fees due to the State 
12 
as provided by other laws. 
13 
SECTION 47. 
Reforestation 
in 
Ancestral 
Domains/Ancestral 
Lands. 
14 
Reforestation in ancestral domains/ancestral lands, if not undertaken by the ICCslIPs 
15 
themselves, shall require the free, prior and informed consent of the ICCsIIPs. 
16 
SECTION 48. 
Reforestation in Protection Forestlands. 
The Department may 
17 
contract out the reforestation and/or management of protection forestlands to any person, 
18 
Provided, that such persons should meet the qualifications enumerated in Section 54. The 
19 
Department shall reasonably compensate such persons for such reforestation and/or 
20 
management activities and extend the necessary assistance in the reforestation and/or 
21 
management of such protection forestlands. 
22 
SECTION 49. 
Voluntary Offer to Reforest. Private landowners, whether natural or 
23 
juridical persons, may participate in reforestation and plantation development or similar 
24 
programs of the LGU or the Department, with the landowner contributing his land and the 
25 
LGU or Department furnishing funds to reforest the area on a co-production agreement: 
26 
Provided, That the property shall be exclusively devoted to the planting of forest species for 
\ 
27 
at least one (1) rotation, which undertaking shall be annotated at the back of the title of the 
I 
28 
property: Provided, further, That prime agricultural lands as determined or certified by the 
29 
DA shall not be the subject of a voluntary offer to reforest. 
33 


I 
CHAPTER VI 
2 
COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 
3 
SECTION 50. 
Community-Based 
Forest 
Management 
Strategy 
(CBFMS). 
4 
Whenever they are present, forest resident families, communities, indigenous peoples and 
5 
other communities whose lives, culture and general well-being are intimately linked with the 
6 
forests, shall be entrusted with the responsibility to protect, manage, develop and utilize 
7 
resources limited to woodlots and non-timber forest products (NTFP) under the principle of 
8 
stewardship. Timber harvesting shall only be allowed in production forestlands designated 
9 
in the Community Resource Management Plans (CRMP). The Department together with 
10 
the LGUs, and in consultation with affected stakeholders and sectors, shall develop 
I I 
policies, criteria, guidelines and tenurial instruments that will simplify and allow access of 
12 
forest resident families, and local communities to forestland resources. The LGUs will 
13 
review all CBFMAs in their jurisdiction to assess performance and determine membership 
14 
status of the CBFMA-holder. The Department together with the LGUs, in consultation with 
! 
15 
affected stakeholders and sectors, shall furthermore develop policies, and guidelines that 
I 
16 
promote partnership between the private sector and forest-based communities in pursuit of 
17 
sustainable community forest management activities. 
18 
SECTION 51. 
Areas Available for CBFMS. Subject to prior or vested rights, the 
19 
CBFMS may be implemented on all appropriate forestlands excluding the ancestral 
20 
domains/ancestral lands of ICCs/IPs. Priority will be given to degraded and denuded 
2 I 
forestlands. 
22 
The LGU may only allow the implementation of CBFMS in watershed reservations if it 
23 
shall promote their protection and rehabilitation; Provided, however that land-use practices 
24 
and activities therein are in accordance with a management plan duly approved by the 
25 
Secretary and shall not induce severe soil erosion and surface run-off: Provided, further, 
26 
That no timber harvesting shall be allowed in forests; Provided a/so, That no CBFM 
27 
agreements shall be issued to non-ICCslIPs within ancestral domains/ancestral lands, 
28 
Provided finally, CBFMAs shall not cover Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) 
29 
and other tenurial instruments. 
34 


1 
SECTION 52. 
Community Resource Management in CBFM Areas. 
The 
2 
management of forestland resources in CBFM areas shall be embodied in a community 
3 
resource management plan, which shall contain the community's vision, aspirations, and 
4 
strategies in the management of forestland resources, which shall be consistent with the 
I 
5 
forestland use plan (FLUP). Qualified communities shall be provided with appropriate long-
6 
term security of tenure, technical, managerial and financial assistance, training; and other 
7 
assistance, as the case may be, to empower them to manage and benefit from the 
8 
forestland resources on a sustainable basis. 
9 
SECTION 53. 
Qualified Participants. Organized forest communities shall be given 
10 
priority to participate in the CBFM program. Organizations eligible to participate in CBFM 
11 
shall have the following qualifications: 
12 
a. Members shall be Filipino citizens; and 
13 
b. Members shall be any of the following: 
14 
i. Traditionally utilizing the resource for their livelihood; 
15 
ii. Actually residing within the area for at least five (5) years; and 
16 
iii. Residing adjacent and actually tilling portions of the area to be awarded. 
17 
SECTION 54. 
Modes of Management Agreements. The conservation, protection, 
18 
development, utilization, and management of forestlands and/or forest resources shall be 
19 
undertaken under the supervision of the State through the LGUs. The State may directly 
20 
undertake such activities or it may enter into co-production, jOint venture or production 
21 
sharing agreement with qualified Filipino citizens or corporations or associations over the 
22 
management of production forestlands, subject to relevant laws, rules and regulations, 
23 
Provided, that interested local communities through their organized and duly recognized 
24 
associations shall be ~iven priority in the grant of appropriate instruments imtJlementing the 
25 
said agreements. Such instruments and/or agreements shall have a duration of twenty-five 
26 
(25) years, renewable for another twenty-five (25) years, under such terms and conditions 
27 
as may be provided by the Secretary, after observing the qualification of the succeeding 
28 
sections; Provided further, that management agreements shall not be issued in favor of any 
35 


1 
person covering ancestral domains/ancestral lands without the free, prior and informed 
2 
consent of the concerned ICCs/IPs and the recognition and protection of ICCs/IPs rights 
3 
under pertinent laws; 
4 
Current valid and subsisting licenses, contracts, or agreements granted by the 
5 
government for the development, management, and utilization of forest resources within 
6 
protection forestlands shall be allowed to continue under the same terms and conditions 
7 
until their expiry; Provided, that no cutting or felling of trees shall be allowed within the said 
8 
protection forestlands, Provided further, that such agreements issued within ancestral 
9 
domains should have had the free, prior, and informed consent of the ICCsllPs involved, 
10 
otherwise, such license, contracts or agreements shall be cancelled and revoked for 
11 
violating the rights of said ICCs/IPs. 
12 
All agreements entered into pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of 
13 
and monitoring by the LGU, Provided further, that all applications and approved 
14 
agreements shall be posted in public places. 
15 
SECTION 55. 
Terms and Conditions of Agreements. The Department, in 
16 
coordination with the LGUs, and, having undergone multi-stakeholder consultations shall 
17 
formulate rules and regulations covering the relevant terms and conditions thereof. 
18 
SECTION 56. 
Minimum Conditions for the Issuance of Co-Production, Joint 
19 
Venture and Production Sharing Agreement. The following provisions shall be the 
20 
minimum conditions for the issuance of co-production, jOint venture and production sharing 
21 
agreement: 
22 
a. The holder is a Filipino citizen; 
23 
b. The agreement holder shall furnish the necessary management, technology and 
24 
financial services when required, as determined by the Secretary; 
25 
c. Provision/s for government share of revenues and the manner of payment 
26 
thereof; 
27 
d. Provision/s on consultation and arbitration with respect to the interpretation of the 
28 
agreement; 
36 


1 
e. Provision/s for anti-pollution and environmental protection measures; 
2 
f. 
Provision/s .prescribing the preferential use of indigenous tree species for tree 
, 
3 
plantations: Provided, that in case of protection forestlands, only indigenous tree 
4 
species shall be used; 
5 
g. Provision/s for an effective monitoring scheme to be implemented by the LGU, 
6 
which shall include, but shall not be limited to periodic inspection of all records 
7 
and books of account of the agreement holders; 
8 
h. Commitment to community development including capacity building of local 
9 
stakeholders; 
10 
i. 
The submission of a management and development plan to be approved by the 
11 
LGU; and 
12 
J. 
Other provisions that the LGU shall impose, upon the recommendation of the 
13 
Director of the FMB, that will improve and sustain the development and 
14 
management of the forestlands and its resources, which shall include, among 
15 
others, a projection of annual income and revenues generated, to be used as 
16 
basis in the determin<;ltion of government shares. 
17 
SECTION 57. 
Transfer. No holder of a co-production, joint venture, or production 
18 
sharing agreement or contract shall sub-contract, transfer, exchange, sell or convey the 
19 
same or any of his right or interests therein without a written authority from the LGU. 
20 
Moreover, no transfer shall be authorized unless the agreement or contract has been in 
21 
existence and active for at least three (3) consecutive years from 
is~uance thereof: 
22 
Provided, that the transferor has faithfully complied with the terms and conditions of the 
23 
said agreement or contract; the transferee has all the qualifications and none of the 
24 
disqualifications to hold the same; and the transferee shall assume the obligations of the 
25 
transferor. Failure to comply with these conditions shall be sufficient cause for the 
26 
cancellation of the agreement or contract; Provided further, that if such agreement cover 
27 
ancestral domains/ancestral lands, the free, prior and informed consent of the ICCslIPs 
28 
involved with regard to such transfer shall be secured, otherwise, said agreement shall be 
29 
cancelled. 
37 


1 
SECTION 58. 
Non-Timber Forest Products. Rattan, bamboos, vines, herbs, 
2 
exudates and other non-timber forest products are integral parts of the forest ecosystem 
3 
The planting and sustainable management of non-timber producing species shall be 
4 
encouraged and supported. Provided, that they are indigenous species. The development, 
5 
management and utilization of non-timber forest products shall be allowed in accordance 
6 
with the FLUP, and corresponding laws and regulations enforced by the LGU and 
7 
consistent with guidelines to be promulgated by the Department in compliance with national 
8 
and international policy or agreements. 
9 
SECTION 59. 
Priority to Harvest, Utilize, Gather or Collect NTFP. In granting 
10 
permits to harvest, utilize, gather or collect non-timber forest products, in their natural or 
11 
original state from forestlands, priority shall be given to forest resident' families, local 
12 
communities, and indigenous peoples living nearest the subject forestlands; Provided, that 
13 
the wildlings collected from the forests shall be utilized for nursery establishments, research 
14 
and development and shall be subject to guidelines formulated in the establishment of 
15 
nurseries. 
16 
SECTION 60. 
Silvicultural and Harvesting System, 
The Department shall 
17 
formulate the appropriate silvicultural and harvesting system and all measures shall be 
18 
taken to achieve an approximate balance between growth and harvest that is consistent 
19 
with the NBSAP. The use of forest products from production forestlands shall be promoted 
20 
and practiced, 
21 
SECTION 61. 
Mangrove forest. Cutting in mangrove forests shall be prohibited. The 
22 
Department shall formulate a program for the restoration of mangrove forests and shall 
23 
promote strategies that are consistent with biodiversity conservation or enhance 
24 
biodiversity, 
25 
SECTION 62. 
Grazing. Land for grazing purposes shall only be limited to production 
26 
forestlands. The Department shall identify and delimit areas suitable for grazing purposes: 
27 
Provided, that no forestland fifty percent (50%) in slope or over may be utilized for grazing 
28 
purposes: Provided also, that vegetation should be sufficient for livestock prior to the grant 
38 


1 
of such permits, Provided, further, that existing pasture lease agreements or forestland 
2 
grazing lease agreements shall be allowed to continue under the same terms and 
3 
conditions until their expiry: Provided also, that burning of grass for the purpose of grazing 
4 
shall be prohibited; Provided, finally, that abandoned or idle, expired, or cancelled grazing 
5 
or pasture lands shall be subject to land use capability assessment and or land use 
6 
suitability assessment to determine their best use or combination of uses. No new grazing 
7 
or pasture permit, lease, or contract shall be issued, nor existing ones allowed to continue 
8 
unless covered by existing rules and regulations governing the Philippine EIS System and 
9 
subject to provisions in this Act. 
10 
Existing pasture lease agreements or forestland grazing lease agreements shall be 
11 
subject to review and monitoring by the LGU. Recommendations resulting from the review 
12 
shall be given primary basis for actions. 
13 
Applications for new pasture lease agreements or forestland grazing lease agreements 
14 
shall be reviewed and approved by the LGU and be covered by existing rules and 
15 
regulations governing the Philippine EIS System and subject to provisions of this Act. 
16 
SECTION 63. 
Mining and Power Generation Operations in Forestlands. Forest 
17 
resources inside mineral reservations and permitted areas and their management and 
18 
utilization are subject to the provisions of this Act. Power generation and sml;lll-scale mining 
I 
19 
operations in forestlands, except in protection forestlands may be allowed only after the 
I 
20 
issuance of an ECC and in compliance with other relevant laws. Mining and power 
21 
generation shall not be allowed in protection and restoration areas, Provided, that micro-
22 
hydro or other renewable energy device may be allowed subject to the provisions of this 
23 
Act. 
24 
SECTION 64. 
Roads and Other Infrastructures. Roads and other infrastructure, 
25 
including the development of mineral reservations and energy resources inside forestlands, 
26 
shall be constructed with the least impairment to the resource values and with the least 
27 
impact and disturbance to biodiversity of the area found in such forestlands. Government 
28 
agencies and their contractors undertaking the construction of roads, bridges, 
39 


communication and other infrastructure facilities and installations inside forestlands shall 
2 
seek prior authority from the Department and shall comply with existing rules and 
3 
regulations governing the Philippine EIS System, Provided, That no roads or other 
4 
infrastructure shall be constructed in protection forestlands. 
5 
CHAPTER VII 
6 
WOOD-BASED INDUSTRIES 
7 
SECTION 65. 
Establishment and Operations of Timber-Based Industries. The 
8 
State, through the Department, may promote the establishment, 
operation, and 
9 
development of timber-based industries only in production forestlands. 
10 
SECTION 66. 
Incentives for Timber-Based Industries. All agreements pertaining 
11 
to timber-based industries shall also be subject to review by the Department under 
12 
procedures to be formulated by the Department with mandatory consultation with 
13 
stakeholders. The following incentives are hereby granted in addition to those already 
14 
provided by law: 
15 
a. All processing plants or mills shall be assured of their supply of raw materials, 
16 
preferably but not exclusively from local sources; 
17 
b. All processing plants or mills shall be granted operating permits for five (5) years 
18 
renewable for another five (5) years: Provided, that permits for processing plants 
19 
owned or operated by holders of timber plantation agreements or contracts shall 
20 
be co-terminus with said agreements or contracts. 
21 
Warranties to and agreements with existing integrated forest-based plants to ensure the 
22 
availability of raw materials shall be subject to the process for as long as such integrated 
23 
plants are operating. Agreements or licenses over production forestlands granted to timber-
24 
based plants shall not be automatically converted into any mode authorized in this Act. 
25 
Holders of expired agreements may apply for a new permit, license or agreement subject to 
26 
the provisions of this Act. Permit holders are allowed a period of twenty-five (25) years, 
27 
renewable for another twenty-five (25) years, for a maximum of fifty (50) years. Expansion 
28 
in capacity of timber-based plants shall be encouraged and the same shall be given priority 
40 


1 
access to production forestlands and other areas available for development as source of 
2 
raw materials. 
3 
SECTION 67. 
Export and Sale of Locally Produced Wood Products. No natural 
4 
grown trees shall be cut, gathered, harvested or removed from forests. Logs, lumber and 
5 
other finished products from tree plantations shall be exported only under such guidelines 
6 
as the Secretary may promulgate and certified as coming from the production forestlands 
7 
by LGUs. A certification process shall be formulated by the Department in consultation with 
8 
key stakeholders. 
9 
SECTION 68. Compliance of Grading Rules. No person shall sell or offer for sale any 
10 
log, lumber, veneer, plywood or other manufactured wood products in the international or 
11 
domestic market without complying with the grading rules established by the government. 
12 
Failure to adhere to the established grading rules and standards, or any act of falsification 
13 
on the volume of logs, lumber, veneer, plywood or other wood products sold in the 
14 
international or domestic market shall be sufficient cause for the cancellation of export 
15 
license, wood processing permit, or other license or permit authorizing the manufacture or 
16 
sale of such products. 
17 
SECTION 69. Importation and Sale of Logs and Other Forest and Wood Products. 
18 
Logs, lumber, and other forest- and wood-based products may be imported to the country 
19 
subject to the authorization of the Secretary and to the tariff and duties under Presidential 
20 
Decree No. 1464 as well as quarantine regulations. Any product manufactured or re-
21 
manufactured out of imported forest and wood materials shall be allowed to be sold in the 
22 
domestic or international market: Provided, That the grading rules and standards therefore 
23 
are complied with, otherwise the sanctions in Section 69 hereof shall be imposed. 
24 
CHAPTER VIII 
25 
CHARGES, FEES AND GOVERNMENT SHARE 
. 26 
SECTION 70. Fees and Government Shares for the Utilization, Exploitation, 
27 
Occupation, Possession of and Activities within Forestlands. The Department shall 
28 
prescribe appropriate government shares, including and rentals for the different kinds of 
41 


1 
utilization, exploitation, occupation, possession, or activities within forestlands: Provided, 
2 
that payment of or collection of such fees and rentals shall be waived for parties/industries 
3 
mandated by law to manage, conserve, develop and protect forestlands and forest 
4 
resources found therein, except administrative fees for the filing and processing of 
5 
applications for the issuance and renewal of licenses, permits, and agreements: Provided, 
6 
further, that watershed administrators and/or service contractors that have forest 
7 
management agreements with the Department as provided for under Section 84 of this Act 
8 
shall also be entitled to the waiver of fees, except administrative fees. 
9 
The State shall collect government shares from income, rentals or other fees, as owner 
10 
of the resource and for its regulatory function. 
The guidelines to be formulated should 
11 
ensure equitable sharing between the national government and LGUs. 
12 
In order for the Department to prescribe appropriate and equitable fees for the use of 
13 
water and other forest resources by parties/industries concerned for power generation, 
14 
domestic and industrial irrigation, carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits 
15 
respectively, by parties/industries concerned taking into consideralion natural resource 
16 
valuation in the assignment of fees and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits between 
17 
concerned national government agency and LGU, the Department shall initiate the creation 
18 
of an inter-agency task force for this purpose. 
19 
SECTION 71. Timber Charges. There shall be collected charges on each cubic meter 
20 
of timber cut in forestlands, using direct and indirect values, whether belonging to the first, 
21 
second, third or fourth group, twenty-five percent (25%) of the actual freight of board (FOB) 
22 
market price based on species and grading: Provided, however, that, in the case of 
23 
pulpwood and matchwood cut in production forestland, forest charges on each cubic meter 
24 
shall be ten percent (10%) of the actual FOB market price. 
25 
SECTION 72. 
Charges on Firewood, Branches and Other Recoverable Wood 
26 
Wastes of Timber. There shall be collected timber charges of one percent (1 %) of the 
27 
market price on each cubic meter of firewood cut in production forestlands, branches and 
28 
other recoverable wood wastes of timber, such as timber ends, tops and stumps, when 
42 


used as raw materials for the manufacture of finished products. Provided, that the cutting of 
2 
all mangrove species shall be prohibited. Provided furthel; that only third of fourth group 
3 
wood may be taken for firewood. Provided finally, that, if jointly authorized by the 
4 
Secretaries of both the Department and the DA, first and second group woods may be 
5 
removed from land which is more valuable for agriculture than for forest purposes, subject 
6 
to the charges in the preceding section. 
7 
SECTION 73. Charges on Non-Timber Forest Products. All other forest products of 
8 
forestlands which are not covered by the preceding section shall be exempted from any or 
9 
all forest charges, except rattans, gums resins, beeswax, guttapercha, almaciga, resin, 
10 
bamboo, vines, herbs, exudates and other species with commercial value, which shall be 
11 
charged at ten percent (10%) of the actual FOB market price. 
12 
SECTION 74. 
Determination of Market Price of Timber and Non-timber 
13 
Products. The actual FOB market price of timber products shall be justly determined once 
14 
a year by the Secretary: Provided, that the Secretary shall cause the creation of a 
15 
committee to be composed of representatives of the Department, the National Economic 
16 
and Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bureau of Internal 
17 
Revenue and the wood and furniture industry and consumers, LGUs, academe, NGOs and 
18 
other concerned sectoral representatives which shall formulate the criteria andlor 
19 
guidelines in the determination of the actual FOB market price taking into consideration 
20 
direct and indirect values to be used as the basis for the assessment of the ad valorem tax, 
21 
taking 
into 
consideration 
production 
cost 
(developing 
cost, 
contingencies, 
and 
22 
miscellaneous cost), species and grade of timber, government share, reforestation, tariff 
23 
duties, taxes, risk involved, and a reasonable margin of profit for domestic and export 
24 
market prices for timber and timber products. 
25 
Timber charges shall also be applied to naturally growing timber and timber products 
26 
gathered from alienable and disposable lands and private lands. Timber charges collected 
27 
shall be in lieu of the administrative charge on environment and other fees and charges 
28 
imposed thereon: Provided, That planted trees and other timber products harvested from 
43 


1 
industrial timber plantations and private lands covered by existing tiller or by approved land 
2 
application are exempted from payment of timber charges. 
3 
The duties incident to the measuring of timber products and the invoicing and collection 
4 
of the charges thereon shall be discharged by the LGU who shall likewise provide for the 
5 
time, manner, and place of payment of such charges under regulations of the Department. 
6 
SECTION 75. 
Fees for Administrative Services Rendered by the Department. 
7 
Reasonable fees shall be collected for various services rendered by personnel of the 
8 
Department in connection with their duties and responsibilities as may be requested by 
9 
interested parties, including but not limited, to surveying, mapping and other similar service 
10 
activities: Provided, that administrative fees shall be waived for services rendered to local 
11 
communities or indigenous peoples in the preparation of their management plans, Provided 
12 
further, That a percentage of the fees collected shall support the furtherance of formal 
13 
forestry education. 
14 
SECTION 76. 
Forest Conservation and Development Fund (FCDF). A Forest 
15 
Conservation and D~velopment Fund (FCDF) to be administered by the iLGU is hereby 
16 
established to provide sustainable funds for forest protection, restoration anti management, 
17 
including the operations of the municipal forest management boards, rehabilitation and 
18 
preservation of watershed areas, CBFM program, information and educational campaign as 
19 
well as scholarship programs, policy research and development. At least seventy percent 
20 
(70%) of the forest charges and government share in all products removed from the 
21 
forestlands, rentals, proceeds from sales of confiscated forest products including 
22 
conveyances, fines and penalties, and administrative fees collected shall be set aside for 
23 
the build-up of the FCDF The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment 
24 
from various sources, domestic or foreign for purposes related to their functions: Provided, 
25 
That fees collected by the LGU consistent with the management plans formulated shall 
26 
directly accrue to the said LGU's account: Provided, further, that a portion of the fees 
27 
collected shall also go to the host communities, which protect and maintain these 
28 
watersheds, from which the headwaters emanate. 
44 


1 
Disbursements from the fund shall be subject to the usual accounting and budgeting 
2 
rules and regulations: Provided, that no amount shall be disbursed to cover the operating 
3 
expenses of the Department and other concerned agencies. The forest management board 
4 
will recommend to the Municipal Council the thrusts for fund allocation. 
5 
SECTION 77. 
Fees from Payment for Environmental Services (PES). The ERDB 
6 
shall formulate a certain value to environmental services, taking into account the positive 
7 
and negative spill-overs of the use of such resources or externalities, and establish 
8 
appropriate pricing, institutional and redistribution systems that will lead to sustainable and 
9 
socially optimal land use practices. PES is a form of payment for ecosystem services as a 
10 
method of internalizing the positive and negative externalities associated with a given 
11 
ecosystem or a specific resource use. 
12 
CHAPTER IX 
13 
TREE PARKS 
14 
SECTION 78. 
I 
Establishment of Tree Parks in Subdivision and Tree Planting on 
15 
Roadsides. Every subdivision project to be developed after the passage of this Act shall 
16 
include the establishment of a tree park of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the required 
17 
total open spaces as provided in Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 953, requiring the 
18 
planting of trees in certain places. Guidelines for the establishment of tree parks within a 
19 
subdivision shall be prepared jointly by the subdivision owner concerned, the Housing and 
20 
Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and the Department. The subdivision owner shall 
21 
provide the funds for this purpose. These guidelines and allocation of funds shall be a 
22 
condition precedent in the approval of the subdivision plan. 
23 
For every major public road or irrigation construction project, the Department of Public 
24 
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall include the planting and maintenance of appropriate 
25 
trees along the road/highway or irrigation canals as landscaped areas every twenty-five 
26 
(25) kilometers thereof, whenever appropriate, and shall provide adequate funds for this 
27 
purpose. Each city and municipality shall also allocate adequate funds for the planting, care 
28 
and maintenance of trees or perennial shrubs in 'greenbelts' or 'green spaces' such as 
45 


road/street sides, center islands, among others. 
2 
3 
CHAPTER X 
PROTECTION 
4 
SECTION 79. 
Assistance of Law Enforcement Agencies. The LGUs and the 
5 
Department may call upon law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the 
6 
Government such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the 
7 
Philippines (AFP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the enforcement of the 
8 
forest-related laws, rules and regulations. 
9 
SECTION 80. 
Role of Local Residents. It shall be incumbent upon LGUs 
10 
concerned to render assistance in protecting and conserving forestlands within their 
11 
respective territorial jurisdiction. Qualified local residents may be deputized by the LGUs to 
12 
assist in the drive against illegal logging, kaingin-making and forestland occupation. These 
13 
deputized residents shall likewise be authorized to arrest forest violators within their 
14 
communities subject to existing laws and regulations on arrest and detention. The LGUs 
l5 
shall provide assistance to these deputized residents in cases instances of citizens' arrests. 
16 
SECTION 81. 
Prevention of Forest Fires. The concerned LGUs, in cooperation 
17 
with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department, shall formulate and 
l8 
implement a fire prevention and control program. 
19 
SECTION 82. 
Control of Forest Pests and Diseases. The Department shall 
20 
likewise formulate and implement a national integrated forest pest and disease 
21 
management program including quarantine procedures for imported forest seeds and forest 
22 
products to prevent" minimize or control forest pests and diseases in t~e reforestation 
23 
strategies. 
24 
SECTION 83. 
Prohibition on Genetically Engineered and Transgenic Trees. 
25 
Planting/ introduction and/or use of genetically engineered (GE) and transgenic trees are 
26 
prohibited in all forestlands. 
27 
SECTION 84. 
Information and Rewards System. The LGU shall establish an 
28 
information and rewards system as part of the community's participation in the protection of 
46 


1 
forest resources. The rewards shall be payable immediately upon the establishment of 
2 
prima facie proof of violation. When an information given leads to the seizure of logs or 
3 
timber and other forest product and results in a conviction, the informer shall also be 
4 
entitled to twenty percent (20%) of the gross value of the recovered or seized forest 
5 
resource. The implementation of the rewards system shall be in collaboration with the 
6 
Department, the Forest Management Board and the Philippine National Police. 
7 
CHAPTER XI 
8 
RESEARCH, EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXTENSION 
9 
SECTION 85. 
Research and Technology Development Transfer. Research and 
10 
technology development transfer shall 
be 
strengthened 
to 
support 
sustainable 
I 
11 
management of forest resources. The Department, the Department of Science and 
12 
Technology (DOST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the State 
13 
Universities and colleges shall, within one (1) year from the passage of this Act, prepare a 
14 
comprehensive sustainable national forestry and environmental research and technology 
15 
development and transfer program in furtherance of sustainable forest management which 
16 
shall be implemented, monitored, and reviewed in accordance with existing research 
17 
management systems. Adequate and sustainable funds to implement research and 
18 
technology development plans and transfer program shall be provided by each of the 
19 
aforementioned agencies and institutions under the General Appropriations Act. 
20 
Appropriate funds shall be allotted for research and development. 
21 
SECTION 86. 
Public Information, Education and Advocacy Campaign. With the 
22 
support from LGUs, NGOs, media and other organizations, the Department, the Philippine 
23 
Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Education (DepEd), CHED, State-owned and 
24 
private universities and colleges shall formulate and implement a nationwide program for 
25 
sustained public information and advocacy campaign for forest and natural resources 
26 
conservation and sustainable forest development and management. The DepEd shall 
27 
include subjects on environment, forest and natural resources in the curricula for 
28 
elementary and high school education. The CHED shall likewise include mandatory ecology 
47 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
and environment courses in the general education curricula. Congress shall allocate funds 
to the Department for the purpose of coordinating a systematic campaign to promote 
community ecological awareness, 
including the preparation of informational and 
educational materials therefore. A percentage of appropriations specified in Section 122 
shall be set aside for this purpose. 
SECTION 87. 
Formal Forestry, Agroforestry and environmental Education.- The 
CHED, in collaboration with the Department, the Board of Examiners for Foresters of the 
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Philippines Forestry Education Network, 
Philippine Agroforestry leducation and Research Network, Environmental Education 
Network of the Philippines and the duly accredited national professional foresters 
organization shall actively pursue the rationalization of formal forestry education by 
assigning higher weights on non-timber extraction subjects. The licensure exam shall 
require minimum units on forest restoration related subject and the establishment of centers 
of excellence in forestry and environmental education to ensure high quality manpower 
output to meet the needs of the forestry sector and the country as a whole. The following 
areas shall be strengthened: 
a. Sustainable forest management; 
b. Natural resource management; 
c. Biodiversity conservation; 
d. Wildlife conservation; 
e. Wildlife management; 
f. 
Entrepreneurship on non-timber forest resources; 
g. Environmental laws; 
h. Forest restoration technology; 
i. 
Environmental science; and 
j. 
Community development. 
SECTION 88. 
Continuing Education on Forestry. A non-formal program of 
continuing education shall be established to maintain the growth of the forestry profession. 
48 


1 
The PRC Board of Examiners for Foresters and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall 
2 
provide the guidelines for a program in continuing education in forestry. In cooperation with 
3 
academic institutions, the Department shall develop the infrastructures to institutionalize 
4 
non-formal continuing education for the forestry sector. 
5 
SECTION 89. 
Training Centers. In coordination with TESDA, DepEd, CHED and 
6 
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and other relevant institutions, stakeholders and 
7 
local communities, the Department shall establish and institutionaliz~ a network of training 
8 
centers in strategic parts of the country to provide regular and up-to-date training on the 
9 
various aspects of sustainable forest management and restoration to forest guards, 
10 
LGUs, NGOs, local communities, and indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Department 
11 
shall ensure that personnel appointed to critical and sensitive positions undergo training to 
12 
prepare them to discharge their duties and responsibilities professionally, efficiently and 
13 
effectively. 
14 
SECTION 90. 
Policy Research and Development Network. The Department, 
15 
through the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), and in collaboration 
16 
with the SUCs and private university and institutions, shall form part of a network to serve 
17 
as the primary policy research and development center for forestry and natural resources 
18 
management. The Network shall perform its functions in close coordination with the 
19 
Department and other policy research institutions in the country. It shall assist the 
20 
Department in the formulation, review, and evaluation of proposed and existing policies on 
21 
forestry and natural resources management. 
22 
CHAPTER XII 
23 
OFFENSES AND PENALTIES 
24 
SECTION 91. 
Non-Establishment of Tree Parks/Communal Forests. Any city, 
25 
municipality or subdivision owner who fails to establish tree parks as provided in Sections 
26 
76 herein shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
27 
(P100,OOO.OO) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO.OO). The 
i 
28 
subdivision plan will 'not be given approval until guidelines have been formulated and funds 
49 


1 
have been allocated for the purpose. 
2 
SECTION 92. 
Harvesting, Gathering and/or Collecting Timber or Other Forest 
3 
Products without Authority. Any person who shall harvest, cut, gather, collect, or remove 
4 
timber or other forest products from any forestland, or timber from all forestlands, whether 
5 
protection or production forestlands, or inside alienable and disposable public land and 
6 
private lands except as provided, or forest resources in alienable and disposable lands 
7 
without authority from the Secretary or found to possess the same without pertinent 
8 
required legal documents shall be punished by imprisonment ranging from prision mayor 
9 
minimum period to reclusion temporal minimum period and/or a fine equivalent to ten (10) 
10 
times the value of the said forest product but not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
11 
(P50,000.00): Provided, that in the case of partnerships, associations or corporations, the 
12 
president, managing partner, and general manager shall be held liable, and if such officer is 
13 
an alien, he shall, in addition to the penalty, be deported without further proceedings on the 
14 
part of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation. Offenders who are public officials shall 
15 
be deemed automatically dismissed from office and permanently disqualified from holding 
16 
any elective or appointive position. 
17 
All timber or any forest products cut, gathered, collected, removed, or possessed and all 
18 
the conveyances, machinery, equipment, implements, work animals, and, tools used in 
19 
connection with this violation shall be seized and confiscated in favor of the State. 
i 
20 
SECTION 93. 
Illegal Cutting as an Act of Economic Sabotage. Any of the acts 
21 
enumerated in the preceding section committed by an armed group or by any group 
22 
through organized and systematic manner, for commercial purposes, shall be considered 
23 
an act of economic sabotage punishable by reclusion perpetua. 
24 
The commission of any of the prohibited acts by two or more individuals with or without 
25 
the aid of any mechanical device shall constitute a prima facie evidence that the act is 
26 
organized and systematic. 
27 
Any permittee/agreement holder who shall buy logs from unlicensed loggers or loggers 
28 
operating without permits shall be considered in violation of this Act and, upon conviction, 
29 
shall also be punished with reclusion perpetua. 
50 


1 
SECTION 94. 
Use of Illegally Cut Timber in Government Infrastructure Projects. 
2 
Contractors of government infrastructure projects shall obtain certification from the 
3 
Department that the logs or lumber to be used therein were obtained from legitimate 
4 
sources. The use of illegally cut naturally grown timber from protection forests or illegally 
5 
cut timber from production forests in government infrastructure projects shall be sufficient 
6 
cause for the imposition of penalties provided in Section 88, on harvesting of forest 
7 
products without authority, and Section 89, on illegal cutting as an econqmic sabotage, 
8 
including the withholding of the payment to the contractor. 
9 
SECTION 95. 
Grazing Livestock on Forestlands without a Permit. Any person 
10 
found to have caused the grazing of livestock in forestlands and grazing lands without an 
11 
authority under a lease or permit to graze, upon conviction, shall be penalized with 
12 
imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than four (4) years and a fine 
13 
equivalent to ten (10) times the regular rentals due in addition to confiscation of the 
14 
livestock and all improvements introduced in the area in favor of the government, and shall 
15 
restore the affected area into the original state of the natural resource; Provided, that in 
16 
case the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the officer or director thereof 
17 
who directly caused or ordered such shall be liable. In case the offender is a public officer 
18 
or employee, he shall, in addition to the above penalties, be deemed automatically 
19 
dismissed from office and permanently disqualified from holding any elective or appointive 
20 
position in the government service. 
21 
SECTION 96. 
Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forestlands. Any person 
22 
who, without authority from the Secretary, enters and occupies or possesses, or engages in 
23 
kaingin-making for his own private use or for others, any forestland or grazing land, or in 
24 
any manner destroys such forestland or part thereof, or causes any aamage to the timber 
25 
stands and other forest product found therein, or assists, aids or abets another person to do 
26 
so, or sets a fire, or negligently permits a fire to be set therein, or refuses lawful orders to 
27 
vacate the area when ordered to do so shall, upon conviction, be punished J.,ith penalties in 
I 
28 
the amount of noi less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than 
51 


Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
2 
years nor more than twelve (12) years for each offense: Provided, That in the case of an 
3 
offender found guilty of kaingin-making, the penalty shall be imprisonment of not less than 
4 
ten (10) years nor more than twelve (12) years and a fine equivalent to eight (8) times the 
5 
regular forest charges due on the forest products destroyed without prejudice to payment of 
6 
the full cost of rehabilitation of the occupied areas as determined by the Department: 
7 
Provided, further, that the maximum of the penalty prescribed herein shall be imposed upon 
8 
the offender who repeats the same offense, and double the maximum penalty upon the 
9 
offender who commits the same offense for the third time or more. In all cases, the court 
10 
shall further order the eviction of the offender from the area occupied and the forfeiture to 
11 
the government of all improvements made therein, including all vehicles, domestic animals 
12 
and equipment of any kind used in the commission of the offense. If not suitable for use by 
~ 
13 
the Department, said improvements, vehicles, domestic animals and equipment shall be 
14 
sold at public auction, the proceeds from which shall accrue to the FCDF. If the offender is 
15 
an alien, he shall be deported after serving his sentence and payment of fines, without any 
I 
16 
further proceedings. An offender who is a government officer or employee, shall, in addition 
I 
17 
to the above penalties, be deemed automatically dismissed from office and permanently 
18 
disqualified from holding any elective or appointive position in the government service. 
19 
SECTION 97. 
Illegal Conversion of City or Municipal Parks, Communal Forests, 
20 
and Tree Parks in Subdivisions. Any person found to have converted or caused the 
21 
conversion of a city or municipal park or communal forest, or tree parks within subdivisions 
22 
established pursuant to Sec. 75 herein and Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 953, 
23 
requiring the planting of trees in certain places, into other uses including the construction of 
24 
permanent buildings therein, or in any manner destroys or causes any damage to the 
25 
timber stands and other forest product found therein, or assists, aids or abets another 
26 
person to do so, or sets a fire, or negligently permits a fire to be set therein, upon 
27 
conViction, shall be penalized by imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve 
28 
(12) years or a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) nor more 
52 


1 
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO,OO), or both fine and imprisonment at the 
2 
discretion of the Court. The offender shall likewise be imposed a fine equivalent to eight 
3 
times the commercial value of the forest products destroyed without prejudice to payment 
4 
of the full cost of rehabilitation of the areas as determined by the Department: Provided, 
, 
I 
5 
further, that the maximum of the penalty prescribed herein shall be imposed upon the 
6 
offender who repeats the same offense, and double the maximum penalty upon the 
7 
offender who commits the same offense for the third time or more, The court shall further 
8 
order the forfeiture to the government of all improvements made therein, including all 
9 
vehicles, domestic animals, and equipment of any kind used in the commission of the 
10 
offense, If not suitable for use by the Department, said improvements, vehicles, domestic 
11 
animals and equipment shall be sold at public auction, the proceeds from which shall 
12 
accrue to the FCDF. An offender who is a government officer or employee, in addition to the 
13 
above penalties, shall be deemed automatically dismissed from office and permanently 
14 
disqualified from holding any elective or appointive position in the government service, 
15 
SECTION 98. 
Misdec/aration or Falsification of Reports on Forest Resource 
16 
Inventory, Scaling, and Survey by a Government Official or Employee. Any public 
17 
officer or employee who knowingly misdeclares or falsifies reports pertaining to forest 
18 
resource inventory, scaling, survey, and other similar activities which are contrary to the 
19 
criteria and standards established in the rules and regulations promulgated by the 
20 
Secretary thereof, after an appropriate administrative proceeding, shall be dismissed from 
21 
the service with prejudice to re-employment. Upon conviction by a court of competent 
22 
jurisdiction, the same public officer or employee shall further suffer an imprisonment of not 
23 
less than eight (8) years nor more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One 
24 
Hundred Thousand pesos (Pi 00,000, 00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
25 
(P500,000.00) and the termination of license to practice forestry if the' offender is a 
26 
professional or registered forester: 
Provided, That the inventory, survey, 
scale, 
27 
classification, and similar reports referred herein shall be rendered null and void, 
28 
SECTION 99. 
Un/awful Operation of Sawmills. Any person operating a sawmill or 
53 


1 
mini-sawmill without authority from the Secretary shall be punished by a fine of not less 
2 
than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250, 000.00) and confiscation of the sawmill or 
3 
mini-sawmill and complementary equipment in favor of the government for appropriate 
4 
disposition. 
5 
SECTION 100. 
Unlawful Operation of Wood Processing Plants and Downstream 
6 
Industries. Any person operating a wood processing plant or downstream forest-based 
7 
industry without authority from the Secretary, shall be punished by, upon conviction by a 
8 
court of competent jurisdiction, imprisonment of not less than eight (8) years nor more than 
9 
twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) 
10 
and confiscation of the wood processing plant and complementary equipment in favor of 
11 
the government. The Department shall promulgate the necessary guidelines, subject to the 
12 
provisions of this Act that will define the terms and conditions for the operation of a wood 
13 
processing plant and/0r other downstream forest-based industries. 
14 
SECTION 101. 
Prohibition on the Issuance of Tax Declaration on Forestlands. -
15 
Any public officer or employee who issues a tax declaration for any purpose on any part of 
16 
forestlands, upon conviction, shall be penalized with imprisonment for a period of not less 
17 
than four (4) years nor more than eight (8) years and perpetual disqualification from holding 
\8 
an elective or appointive office. The tax declaration shall be considered null and void. Tax 
19 
declarations within protection forestlands shall be reviewed and be cancelled after due 
20 
process. 
21 
SECTION 102. 
Unlawful Possession of Implements and Devices Used by Forest 
22 
Officers. Any person found possessing or using implements and devices used by forest 
23 
officers shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than eight (8) years nor more than 
24 
twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P1 00,000. 00) 
25 
nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO.00) in addition to the confiscation 
26 
of such implements and devices and the automatic cancellation of any license agreement, 
27 
license, lease or permit. 
28 
Any forest officer who willingly allowed unauthorized person( s) to use these implements 
54 


-
• 
1 
and devices under his care shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less six (6) years 
2 
and one (1) day to no more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not less thani One Hundred 
3 
Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
4 
(P500,000.00). 
5 
In addition, the said forest officer shall be dismissed from the service with prejudice to 
6 
reinstatement and with perpetual disqualification from holding an elective or appointive 
7 
position. 
8 
SECTION 103. 
Unauthorized Introduction of Logging Tools and Equipment 
9 
Inside Forestlands. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to possess, bring, or 
10 
introduce any logging tools or eqUipment inside forestlands without prior authority, from the 
11 
Secretary or his duly authorized representative. Any person found guilty of illegal 
12 
possession of said logging tools or equipment shall be liable to imprisonment of six (6) 
13 
years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than One Hundred 
14 
Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
IS 
(P500,000.00) or both imprisonment and fine, and confiscation of said logging tools and 
16 
equipment in favor of the government. 
17 
SECTION 104. 
Non-Payment and Non-Remittance of Forest Charges. Any person 
18 
who fails to pay the amount due and payable as forest charges to the .90vernment shall not 
19 
be allowed to transport, convey, sell, nor use the timber or forest prodLICt. Moreover, failure 
20 
to pay within thirty (30) days upon assessment of forest charges shall be a ground for 
21 
confiscation of the said timber or forest product in favor of the government. Any person who 
, 
22 
fails or refuses to remit to the proper authorities said forest charges collectible pursuant to 
23 
the provisions of this Act or the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or who 
24 
delays, obstructs or prevents the same, or who orders, causes or effects the transfer or 
25 
diversion of the funds for purposes other than those specified in said Acts shall, upon 
26 
conviction, be imprisoned for not less than six (6) years nor more than ten (10) years and 
27 
fined from One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred 
28 
Thousand Pesos (P500, 000. 00). If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, 
29 
the officers and directors thereof shall be liable. 
55 


1 
SECTION 105. 
Institution of Criminal Action by Forest Officers. Any forest officer 
2 
shall arrest any person who has committed or is about to commit, or is committing in his 
3 
presence any of the offenses defined in this chapter. The tools, animals, equipment and 
4 
conveyances used in committing the offense, and the forest products cut, gathered, taken 
5 
or possessed by the offender in the process of committing the offense shall also be seized 
6 
and confiscated in favor of the government. The arresting forest officer shall thereafter 
7 
deliver within thirty-six (36) hours from the time of arrest or seizure both the offender and 
8 
the confiscated forest products, conveyances, tools and equipment, or the documents 
9 
pertaining to the same, and file the proper complaint with the appropriate official designated 
10 
by law to conduct preliminary investigation and file information in court. If fhe arrest and 
II 
seizure are made.in the forest far from authorities designated by law to conduct preliminary 
12 
investigations, the delivery to and filing of the complaint with the latter shall be done within 
13 
a reasonable time sufficient for ordinary travel from the place of arrest to the place of 
14 
delivery. The seized forest products, materials, conveyances, tools and eqUipment shall be 
15 
immediately disposed of in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Secretary. 
16 
The Secretary may deputize any agency, barangay official, or any qualified person to 
17 
protect the forest and exercise the powers or authority provided for in the preceding 
18 
paragraph. Reports and complaints regarding the commission of any of the offenses 
19 
defined in this chapter not committed in the presence of any forest officer or any of the 
20 
deputized officers shall immediately be reported to the forest officer assigned in the area 
21 
where the offense was allegedly committed. Thereupon, the investigating officer shall 
22 
receive the evidence supporting the report or complaint and submit the same to the 
23 
appropriate official authorized by law to conduct a preliminary investigation of criminal 
24 
cases and file the information in court. 
25 
The Secretary of Justice shall designate in every city and province a special prosecutor 
26 
who shall file charges against forest violators to ensure their speedy prosecution. 
27 
SECTION 106. 
Liability of Custodian of Confiscated Forest Products. Any public 
28 
officer who fails to produce the timber or forest products, including tools, conveyances, 
56 


1 
equipment, and devices in his custody pursuant to a seizure or confiscation made thereon, 
2 
or who shall appropriate, take, misappropriate, or shall permit another person to take such 
3 
timber forest products wholly or partially, shall suffer the penalty provided for in Article 217, 
4 
on Malversation of Public Funds or Property, of the Revised Penal Code. In addition, the 
5 
said public officer shall be dismissed from service with prejudice to reinstatement and with 
6 
perpetual disqualification from holding any elective or appointive office. 
7 
CHAPTER XIII 
8 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
9 
SECTION 107. 
Strengthening of the Forest Management Sector. Only qualified 
10 
environmental management professionals and practitioners shall be appointed to the 
J 1 
positions of Director and Assistant Director of the FMB as well as to all other positions 
12 
where the services of professional foresters e.g. CENRO are required in accordance with 
13 
existing laws and the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission 
14 
(CSC) and the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). 
15 
SECTION 108. 
Administrative Authority of the Secretary or his Duly Authorized 
16 
Representative to Order Confiscation. In all cases of violations of this Act or other forest 
! 
17 
laws, rules, and regulations, the Secretary or his duly authorized represent!:jtive may order 
18 
the confiscation of forest products illegally harvested, cut, gathered, removed or possessed 
19 
or abandoned, and all conveyances used either by land, water, or air as well as all 
20 
machinery, equipment, implements, and tools used in the commission of the offense and to 
21 
dispose of the same in accordance with pertinent laws, regulations, or pOlicies on the 
22 
matter. 
23 
The Secretary may order that the sale of confiscated perishable forest resources at 
24 
public auction even before the termination of the judicial proceedings, following the 
25 
applicable Rules on Evidence, with the proceeds of such sale kept in trust to await the 
26 
outcome of the judicial proceedings. 
27 
No court of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any Writ of Replevin, 
28 
restraining order, or preliminary mandatory injunction in any case involving or growing out 
57 


• 
of any action by the Secretary or his duly authorized representative in the exercise of the 
2 
foregoing administrative authority. 
3 
SECTION 109. 
Cancellation of Permits, Licenses, Agreements. The Secretary 
4 
motu proprio or upon the filing of a petition, may cancel any permit, license or agreement. 
5 
SECTION 110. Administrative Authority of the Secretary to Impose Fines. In all 
6 
cases of violations of this Act and other forest laws, rules and regulations where fine is the 
7 
principal penalty, the Secretary is hereby authorized to impose administratively the penalty 
i 
8 
consisting of the amount and the schedules of the fine which shall be official,ly published in 
9 
a national newspaper of general circulation. 
10 
SECTION 111. 
Authority of Forest Officers. When in the performance of their official 
11 
duties, forest officers or other government officials or employees duly authorized by the 
12 
Secretary or deputized as such shall have free entry into areas covered by a contract, 
13 
agreement, license, lease or permit. Forest officers are authorized to inspect and to open 
14 
closed vans suspected to contain illegally harvested, collected or transported forest 
15 
product: Provided, that it is done in the presence of the shipper or consignee or two (2) 
16 
responsible public officials in the locality, Provided further, That in cases where entry shall 
17 
be in ancestral domains/ancestral lands, said persons shall secure the free, prior and 
18 
informed consent of the ICCslIPs therein. Forest officers are authorized to administer oath, 
19 
take acknowledgment in offiCial matters connected with the. functions of their office, or take 
20 
testimony in official investigations conducted under the authority of this Act and the 
21 
implementing rules and regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant thereof. 
22 
SECTION 112. 
Visitorial 
Powers. 
The 
Secretary 
or 
his 
duly 
authorized 
23 
representative shall, from time to time, investigate, inspect, and examine records and other 
24 
documents except bank records related to the operation of any' person granted the 
25 
privilege, contract, or agreement to utilize forest resources to determine compliance with 
26 
the terms and conditions stipulated in the grant, contract or agreement, this Act, and 
27 
pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. 
58 


· \' 
1 
SECTION 113. 
Transparency. Records, agreements, applications and all other 
2 
pertinent documents as well as conditions to the same shall be made available to the public 
3 
at all times. Records pertaining to the specific limits of forestlands shall also be made 
4 
available to the public. Moreover, the Department shall furnish all provincial, municipal and 
5 
city government units copies of the maps of permanent forestlands located within their 
6 
respective territorial jurisdictions. 
7 
SECTION 114. 
Other Incentives. Twenty percent (20%) of the value of confiscated 
8 
materials shall be used as incentives to informants, forest management council, forest 
9 
management boards, including Department personnel. They shall also be entitled to free 
10 
legal assistance should legal cases be filed against them in the performance of official 
11 
duties. 
12 
SECTION 115. 
Suits and Strategic Legal Actions against Public Participation 
-
13 
and the Enforcement of This Act. Where a suit is brought against a person who filed an 
14 
action as provided in Section 113 of this Act, or against any person, institution or 
15 
government agency that implements this Act, there being no grave abuse of authority, it 
16 
shall be the duty of 'the investigating prosecutor or the court, 
i 
as the case may be, to 
I 
17 
immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action 
18 
has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the 
19 
person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination thereof, 
20 
evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award attorney's fees 
21 
and double damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are 
22 
sued for acts committed in their official capacity, there being no grave abuse of authority, 
23 
and done in the course of enforcing this Act. 
24 
SECTION 116. 
Citizens' Suits. For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Act or 
25 
its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or 
26 
administrative action in the proper court against: 
27 
a. any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its 
28 
implementing rules and regulations; or 
59 


• . 
' 
1 
b. the Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules and 
2 
regulations issued inconsistent with this Act, and 
3 
c. any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an Act 
4 
specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and 
5 
regulations, or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty, or in any 
6 
manner, improperly performs his duties under this Act or its implementing rules 
7 
and regulations: Provided, however, That no suit can be filed until after a thirty-
8 
day notice has been given to the public officer and the alleged violator concerned 
9 
and no appropriate action has been taken thereon. 
10 
The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees, and shall, likewise, 
11 
upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation complained of, exempt the 
12 
plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of a preliminary injunction. 
13 
SECTION 117. 
Protection to Witnesses in Cases Involving Violation of Forestry 
14 
Laws. Witnesses to violations of this Act or other forestry laws and regulations, including 
15 
the immediate members of the family of said witnesses shall be given protection, security 
16 
and benefit, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as "The 
17 
Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act" and its implementing rules and regulations. 
18 
SECTION 118. 
Rule-Making Authority. In consultation with the NCIP, the DllG, the 
19 
Department of Finance, the leagues of provinces, cities, and municipalities, other 
20 
government agencies mentioned herein and other relevant stakeholders (i.e. academic 
21 
institutions, NGOS), the Department shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
22 
regulations within one (1 ) year from the effectivity of this Act. 
23 
SECTION 119. 
Congressional Oversight Committee. There is hereby created a 
24 
Congressional Oversight Committee composed of seven (7) members frdm the Senate 
25 
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7) merribers from the 
26 
House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. The Chairpersons of the 
27 
corresponding committees shall also be the Co-chairpersons of the Oversight Committee. 
28 
The Secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing secretariat 
60 


. .' 
1 
personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall be taken from 
2 
the appropriations of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
3 
CHAPTER XIV 
4 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
5 
SECTION 120. 
Transitory Provisions. Upon the approval of this Act, the Department 
6 
shall evaluate the conditions of all forestlands covered by existing TLAs, licenses, or 
7 
permits and the like, which shall be allowed to continue until their expiry; Provided, That 
8 
cutting or felling of trees in forests shall be prohibited, Provided further, that such TLA, 
9 
license, permits and other instruments shall be terminated for the following grounds: 
10 
a. When the licensee has been found to be a dummy of an otherwise disqualified or 
11 
unqualified person; 
, 
12 
b. When the licensee has been found to be farming out the license or receiving 
13 
royalty of any kind; 
14 
c. When the licensee has been found to be cutting or operating outside the limits of 
15 
the license or within an area specifically designated or sub-classified by the 
16 
Department as protection forestland; 
17 
d. When the licensee has been found to be allowing illegally-cut timber to be 
18 
invoiced under its license; 
19 
e. When the licensee has been found to be inducing any other person to log in 
20 
other areas in violation of the Department's regulations; 
21 
f. 
Failure to submit to the Department the required copies of auxiliary invoices 
22 
covering timber manifested under the license; 
. 23 
g. Failure to leave undamaged an adequate stand of young trees for residual 
24 
growing stock or for seeding purposes and to employ the necessary number of 
25 
laborers needed for timber management work; 
26 
h. When the licensee has, for the third time after written warning, intentionally cut, 
27 
injured or destroyed trees marked by forest officers and unmarked poles and 
28 
saplings for future growing stock, seeding, or protection; 
61 


• 
. .' 
1 
i. 
Failure to employ the required number of concession guards as determined by 
2 
the Department; 
3 
j. 
Failure to protect the concession or license area or parts thereof from being 
4 
converted into kaingin, or from illegal timber cutting, and other forms of trespass; 
5 
k. When the licensee has been found to have failed to put up the processing plant 
6 
for the area within the required period, when made a condition in the award of the 
7 
area and the grant of the license; 
8 
I. 
Failure to pay pending forest accounts; 
9 
m. Failure to maintain and make conspicuous the approved and established 
10 
boundaries of his concession or license area; 
11 
n. Failure to suspend operations within a conflicted area when so required by the 
12 
Department or its authorized representatives, pending final decision of the 
13 
conflict; 
14 
o. Allowing a contractor to operate the license area or concession; and 
15 
p. Violation of any of the terms and conditions of the license, the NIPAS Act and its 
16 
implementing rules and regulations, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and 
17 
Protection Act, or any of the provisions of law on internal revenue and labor, and 
18 
Department regulations. 
19 
Any of the violations enumerated above will be cause for the immediate cancellation of 
20 
the permit, timber license agreement or any other similar instrument. 
21 
Provided, That the Department shall immediately take control of the la\1d and consult 
, 
' 
22 
with the concerned LGU and/or local communities for the proper managemi:lnt of the area 
23 
covered by the said cancelled permit, TLA or instrument. 
24 
The relevant agencies shall formulate the appropriate rules and regulations for the 
25 
implementation of this Act. 
26 
SECTION 121. 
Appropriations. The amount necessary to initially implement the 
27 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of 
28 
Environment and Natural Resources in the current General Appropriations Act. Provided 
62 


·' 
• 
1 
further that a share from the VAT on oil and natural gas, emission testing tax, flood control 
2 
tax, road users tax, and the Reforestation, Watershed Management, Health and/or 
3 
Environment Enhancement Fund, pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9136, 
4 
otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and its 
5 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR), shall be appropriated to fund provisions in this 
6 
Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to fully implement the provisions of this 
7 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. For local government units, 
8 
the funding requirements shall be taken from their internal revenue allotment (IRA) and 
9 
other sources of inCOme including the income derived from the shares from the different 
10 
modes of agreement. , 
11 
SECTION 122. 
Separability Clause. Should any provision herein' be declared 
12 
unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity or legality of the other 
13 
provisions. 
14 
SECTION 123. 
Repealing Clause. Subsections (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (i) of Section 
15 
4 of Act No. 3915; Republic Act Nos. 460 and 7161; Presidential Decree Nos. 705, 1153, 
16 
1515,1559,1775 and 1998; Letter of Instruction No. 818; Executive Order Nos. 277, series 
17 
of 1987, and Executive Order No. 725, series of 1981, are hereby repealed, and all laws, 
18 
orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof which are inconsistent herewith are 
19 
likewise hereby repealed or amended accordingly: Provided, That this Act shall not in any 
20 
manner amend the IPRA, NIPAS law and the Wildlife Resources Act. 
21 
SECTION 124. 
Effectivity. This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of 
22 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
23 
circulation. 
63