SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1117 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Article, 11 Section 16 declares that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Despite the 
government's good intentions, rapid population growth, urbanization and industrialization have 
far outstripped urban environment services and weak natural resource management systems have 
led to rapid degradation of those environments, too 1. 
Rapid conversion of forestlands and grasslands to urban use is depleting these natural systems. 
Agricultural yields in lowland areas are stagnating, and popUlation pressures are stimulating 
cultivation of fragile upland areas, causing serious soil erosion. While estimates of deforestation 
differ, forest cover in the Philippines has certainly been significantly reduced over the last forty 
years, due to increasing urbanization, illegal logging, and forest fires. Reforestation efforts by the 
government have been erratic, with low tree survival rates. Marine resources are heavily stressed 
by over-exploitation and pollution2• While we cannot totally undo this environmental upheaval, 
we can to some extent reverse the severity of the damage, accordingly cushioning its inevitable 
impact. 
It is in this light that this bill seeks to establish a basic policy for nature restoration in the 
country. Ecological restoration, the attempt to guide damaged ecosystems back to a previous, 
usually healthier or more natural, condition, is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most 
promising approaches to conservation. It is hoped that with the passage of this bill, we shall be 
able to redeem our troubled relationship with nature and sustain the God-given finite resources of 
this country for the subsequent generations of Filipinos to com 
Senator 
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1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1117 
Introd ueed by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
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'13 
JllL 29 
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PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT THEREBY ESTABLISHING A BASIC POLICY 
FOR NATURE RESTORATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be knovm as the "Nature Restoration Law of 
2 
2013." 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Purpose. - This Law establishes the basic principles of nature restoration, 
5 
defines the responsibilities of concerned government agency, and stipulates necessary matters for 
6 
the implementation of nature restoration, including the establishment of the Basic Policy for 
7 
Nature Restoration. This is done for the purpose of pursuing the comprehensive implementation 
8 
of measures concerning nature restoration, thereby securing biodiversity in support of efforts 
9 
toward realizing a society that is in harmony with nature, and contributing to conservation of the 
10 
global environment. 
11 
12 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -
13 
A. "Nature restoration" means 
the 
conservation, 
restoration or 
creation, 
and 
14 
maintenance 
of 
the 
conditions of 
rivers, marshes, 
tidal 
flats, 
IS 
seaweedlseagrass beds, community-based woods, 
rural landscapes, forests, and 
16 
other natural environments, with the 
participation of various actors in the 
17 
community, including concerned governmental agencies, concerned municipal 


governments, local residents, specified nonprofit corporations, and individuals with 
2 
specialized knowledge of the natural environment, with the objective of recovering the 
3 
ecosystems and other natural environments that have been damaged or destroyed in the past. 
4 
B. 
"Nature restoration project" means a project to be implemented with the objective to restore 
5 
nature. 
6 
C. "Landowner, etc. " means an individual who owns a piece of land, woods, or bamboo thicket; 
7 
or the right to the use of and profits from a piece of land, woods or bamboo thicket; or the 
8 
fishing rights or common of piscary to an area (excluding special facilities and other facilities. 
9 
clearly known to have been set up for temporary use). 
10 
II 
SEC. 4. Basic Prillciples. -
12 
A.' Nature restoration shall be carried out appropriately for the purposes of maintaining and 
13 
passing on a sound and bountiful natural environment to future generations, realizing a 
14 
society in harmony with nature through the protection of biodiversity, and contributing to the 
15 
conservation of the global environment. 
16 
B. Nature restoration shall be carried out with the cooperation of various actors. in the. 
17 
community, including concerned governmental agencies, concerned local governments, local 
18 
residents, specified nonprofit corporations, and individuals with specialized knowledge of the 
19 
natural environment, in a voluntary and active manner. Efforts shall be made to ensure 
20 
transparency. 
21 
C. Nature restoration shall be carried out based on scientific knowledge, taking into account 
22 
characteristics of the natural environment in the area and the delicate balance of the 
23 
ecosystem, as well as nature's ability to recover. 
24 
D. Nature restoration shall be carried out in such a way that, even after a nature restoration 
25 
project has begun, the state of nature restoration is monitored, the monitoring results are 
26 
assessed scientifically, and the assessment results are reflected in the project. 
27 
E. 
Due to the important need for people to learn about conservation of the natural environnient 
28 
(hereinafter referred to as "natural environmental learning"), arrangements shall be made. to 
2 


1 
utilize the nature restoration project as a venue for natural environmental learning as it is 
2 
implemented. 
3 
4 
SEC. 5. Responsibilities of the National and Local Governments. - The national and. 
5 
local governments shall strive to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate the implementation 
6 
of nature restoration projects undertaken by local residents, specified nonprofit corporations, and 
7 
other private organizations. 
8 
9 
SEC. 6. Responsibilities of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. -
10 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (hereinafter referred to as the DENR), 
11 
who undertakes a nature restoration project pursuant to this Law shall strive to take the lead in 
12 
carrying out the nature restoration project based on the basic principles,. 
13 
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SEC. 7. Coordination with Other Public Interests. - Nature restoration shall be carried 
15 
out taking into consideration the need to coordinate such efforts with the conservation of national 
16 
land and other public interests. 
17 
18 
SEC. 8. Basic Policy for Nature Restoration. -
19 
A. The government shall formulate a basic policy for comprehensively promoting nature 
20 
restoration measures (hereinafter referred to as "Basic Policy for Nature Restoration"). 
21 
1. The Basic Policy for Nature Restoration provides the following: 
22 
2. Basic direction for the implementation of nature restoration; 
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3. Basic matters concerning the committee detailed in Section 9 of this Act; 
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4. Basic matters concerning formulation of the overall plan for nature restoration; 
25 
5. Basic matters concerning the promotion of natural environmental learning concerning 
26 
nature restoration; and 
27 
6. Other important matters concerning the promotion of nature restoration. 
3 


, ' 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6. 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
B. 
C. 
D. 
E. 
F. 
A. 
The DENR shall draft the Basic Policy for Nature Restoration, consulting with the 
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure 
and Transport and shall call for approval from the Cabinet. 
The DENR shall seek public opinion when drafting the Basic Policy for Nature Restoration. 
The DENR shall, without delay, make public the Basic Policy for Nature Restoration when a 
Cabinet decision is made in accordance with the provision in Paragraph 3. 
The Basic Policy for Nature Restoration shall be revised approximately every five years in 
accordance with progress in the implementation of nature restoration projects" 
Provisions from Paragraphs A to E are applicable to changes to the Basic Policy for Nature 
Restoration. 
SEC. 9. Nature Restoration Committee .. -
To administer the matters provided in the following paragraph, the effecter shall form a 
nature restoration committee (hereinafter referred to as "Committee") with concerned local 
governments, concerned governmental agencies, and other parties who intend to participate 
16 
in the nature restoration project or activities related to the project to be carried out by the. 
17 
effecter, including local residents, specified nonprofit corporations, individuals with 
18 
specialized knowledge of the natural environment, and landowners, etc. 
19 
The Committee shall administer the following matters: 
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1. Draw up the overall plan for nature restoration; 
21 
2. Discuss the drafted implementation plan of the nature restoration project; 
22 
3. Conduct communication and coordination for implementing the nature restoration project. 
23 
B. The overall plan for nature restoration (hereinafter referred to as "overall plan for nature 
24 
.restoration") determines the following matters in line with .the Basic Policy for Nature 
25 
Restoration: 
26 
1. Areas subject to nature restoration; 
27 
2. Goals of nature restoration; 
28 
3. 
Names of organizations and individuals to join the Committee and their responsibilities; 
29 
and, 
4 


, , 
4, Other necessary matters for facilitating nature restoration. 
2 
C. The Committee decides the necessary matters related to the organization and management of 
3 
the Committee. 
4 
D. Members of the Committee shall cooperate in promoting nature restoration. 
5 
6 
SEC. 10. Implementation Plan a/Nature Restoration Project.-
7 
A. The effecter shall fonnulate a plan for implementing the nature restoration project 
8 
(hereinafter referred to as the "implementation plan of the nature restoration project") based 
9 
on the Policy for Nature Restoration; 
lOB. The implementation plan of the nature restoration project shaIl provide the following; 
II 
I. Name of effecter and name of the Committee to which the effecter belongs; 
12 
2. Areas subject to and contents of the nature restoration project~ 
13 
3. Relationship between the area subject to the nature restoration project and its 10caI 
14 
natural environment, and the significance and effect of the conservation of naturaI 
15 
environment 
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4. Other necessary matters related to implementation of the nature restoration project 
17 
C. In drawing up the implementation plan of the nature restoration project, the DENR shall fully 
18 
discuss the draft with the Committee beforehand and draw up the plan according to the 
19 
results of the discussion. 
20 
D. The implementation plan of the nature restoration project shaIl be in conformity with the 
21 
overall plan of nature restoration. 
22 
E. Upon drawing up the implementation plan of the nature restoration project, the DENR shaIl 
23 
promptly submit a copy of the plan (including copies of documents attached to the 
24 
implementation plan of the nature restoration project; hereinafter the same) and a copy of the 
25 
overall plan of nature restoration for the nature restoration project implementation plan 
26 
(including copies of documents attached to the overall plan for nature restoration; hereinafter 
27 
the same) to the local government official under whose jurisdiction the area covered by the 
28 
nature restoration project in the implementation plan lies. 
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I 
SEC. 11. Agreement on Maintenance. - In order to conduct maintenance related to 
2 
nature restoration on all or part of the area covered by the nature restoration project, the effecter 
3 
may carry out the maintenance by concluding an agreement with the landowner of the area. 
4 
5 
SEC. 12. Establishment of a Consultation System for Effectors. - The competent 
6 
minister shall set up the necessary system to provide proper consultations to effectors. 
7 
8 
SEC. 13. Consideration for the Implementation of Nature Restoration Projects_ -
9 
When asked for permits or other legally prescribed actions for the implementation of a nature 
10 
restoration project based on the implementation plan of the nature restoration project, the heads 
II 
of governmental agencies and concerned local governments shall give proper consideration to 
12 
enable the smooth and speedy implementation ofthe nature restoration project 
13 
14 
SEC. 14. Announcement of the Implementation Status a/Nature Restoration Projects. 
IS 
I. The competent minister shall announce the implementation status of nature restoration 
16 
projects annually. 
17 
2. The competent minister shall make an announcement upon the receipt of a' copy of the 
18 
implementation plan of the nature restoration project and a copy of the overall plan for nature 
19 
restoration which was submitted pursuant to the provision in Article 9, Paragraph 5 
20 
(including the case when Paragraph 7 of the same article is applicable). 
21 
22 
SEC. 15. Reporting Progress of the Implementation Plan of the Nature Restoration 
23 
Project. - Pursuant to the competent ministerial ordinance, the competent minister may request 
24 
the effecter, who carries out the nature restoration project according to its implementation plan, 
25 
to report on the progress of the implementation plan of the nature restoration project. 
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27 
SEC. 16. Financial Measures, etc. - The national and local governments will make 
28 
efforts to take the necessary measures, financial and otherwise, to implement nature restoration. 
6 


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s . 
SEC. 17. Other Measures related to Nature Restoration. - The national and local 
2 
governments will take the necessary measures to promote natural environmental learning 
3 
regarding nature restoration and to expand public awareness activities to promote nature 
4 
restoration. 
5 
I. The national and local governments will take the necessary measures to promote natural 
6 
environmental learning regarding nature restoration and to expand public awareness activities 
7 
to promote nature restoration; 
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2. The national and local governments will make efforts to provide appropriate information on 
9 
nature restoration to facilitate nature restoration activities carried out by local residents, 
10 
specified nonprofit corporations, and individuals with specialized knowledge of the natural 
II 
environment, etc.; 
12 
3. The national and local governments will pursue research and development on nature 
13 
restoration, disseminate the results, and promote other science and technology for nature 
14 
restoration; 
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4. The national and local governments will pursue agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in 
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harmony with the local environment in conjunction with the implementation of nature 
17 
restoration projects. 
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SEC. 18. Nature Restoration Promotion Conference. -
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A. The government shall establish the Nature Restoration Promotion Conference, made up of 
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officials from DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and 
22 
Highways (DPWH) and other concerned governmental agencies, to carry out communication 
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and coordination in order to implement nature restoration in a comprehensive, effective, and 
24 
efficient manner; and 
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B. The DENR, DA and DPWH shall establish the Nature Restoration Expert Panel, made up of 
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'individuals with specialized knowledge of the natural environment, to consider the opinions 
27 
provided when the communication and coordination provided in the preceding paragraph are 
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carried out. 
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· 
.. , 
' 
SEC. 19. Competent Departmental Secretaries, etc. -
2 
A. Competent Departmental Secretaries in this Law are the DENR, DA and DPWH Secretaries; 
3 
and, 
4 
B. Competent ordinances in this Law are orders issued by the DENR, DA and DPWH 
5 
Secretaries. 
6 
7 
SEC. 20. Implementing Rules. - The Secretary of the DENR shall issue the pertinent 
8 
rules with regard to this Act, including but not limited to the application for, termination of, 
9 
suspension and lifting of suspension of the Program. 
10 
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SEC. 21. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
12 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
13 
valid and subsisting. 
14 
IS 
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
16 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with, the 
17 
provisions of this Act, is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
18 
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SEC. 23. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
20 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
8