Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the Constitutional mandate of the State to protect and advance the right of the Filipino 
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, 
and to conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation. 
The Philippines has one of the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems. Of its total land mass 
of approximately 30 million ha, 15.8 million ha (52.7%) is classified as forestlands.1 However, 
the rapid population growth, urbanization, demand for agricultural land, and logging have 
threatened our forest resources with widespread degradation over the years.2 Despite forest 
protection laws in place, the Philippines lost 7.2% of its tree cover from 2001 to 2021, most of 
which occurred within natural forest.3 Aside from its economic benefits, forests are our first 
line of defense against natural calamities as they mitigate the impacts of climate change and 
risks of disasters. Therefore, this proposal aims to adopt policies to ensure the protection, 
conservation, and sustainable use of our forest lands and forest resources for present and 
future generations. 
This bill also provides for the Sustainable Forest Development Fund (SFDF) as a support 
mechanism for funding requirements of the government’s forest management initiatives. 
Likewise, it strengthens the role of the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) to respond to forest 
management concerns and issues while also providing for collaborative approaches to 
conservation strategies and activities. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
1 https://forestry.denr.gov.ph/index.php/statistics/philippines-forestry-statistics 
2 https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1853.pdf 
3 https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS AND 
FOREST LANDS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable Forest 
Management Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — In consonance with the policy of the State to 
promote social justice and general welfare in all phases of national development, to 
protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology 
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve and develop the 
patrimony of the nation, the State hereby adopts the following policies for the 
sustainable management and conservation of forest lands and forest resources found 
therein: 
a.
The specific limits of forest lands, after these have been fixed and demarcated,
shall not be altered, except through an Act of Congress;
b.
The sustainable use and conservation of forest lands and forest resources found
therein shall bear social, cultural, ecological, biological, and economic functions
to promote the common good of present and future generations;
4023


 
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c. 
The State shall prioritize the protection of the ecosystem, as well as the 
rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems through reforestation and 
afforestation to mitigate climate change, improve and conserve biodiversity, 
enhance ecosystem functions and services, and provide long-term economic 
benefits; 
d. 
Forest lands shall be partitioned and planned into forest management units 
(FMUs) based on natural topographic and hydrologic boundaries and shall 
consider the watershed continuum approach which adopts the holistic inter-
relationship between the upstream and downstream areas; 
e. 
The State recognizes the inherent roles and responsibilities of local communities 
and indigenous peoples in the protection and ecological treatment of the 
environment; 
f. 
The allocation, management, protection, conservation, and development of 
forest lands and forest resources shall be done in an integrated, inclusive, 
developmental, viable, and sustainable manner. 
 
SECTION 3. Objectives. — The State shall pursue a policy of balancing the 
sustainable use of forest lands and forest resources and sustainable development. It 
shall be the objective of the State to: 
a. 
Provide equitable access to forest lands and forest resources; 
b. 
Streamline the use of forest lands and forest resources by promoting the use of 
sustainable forest management strategies among concerned FMUs and 
stakeholders; 
c. 
Deregulate the harvesting, sale, marketing, and processing of products from 
forest plantations and forest farms in forest lands; 
d. 
Promote sustainable livelihood and enterprises among marginalized community 
tenure holders including indigenous cultural communities and indigenous 
peoples (ICC/IPs) who depend on and reside in forest lands; 
e. 
Strengthen institutional mechanisms to respond to forest management concerns 
namely: the development of the forest industry, constant law enforcement, and 
management of watersheds; 
f. 
Create the Sustainable Forest Development Fund (SFDF) as a support 
mechanism for funding requirements of forest management initiatives; 


 
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g. 
Strengthen the role of the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) to be more 
responsive and pro-active consistent with the objectives of this Act; 
h. 
Undertake a multi-stakeholder study, to be led by the FMB, as a prerequisite to 
the partitioning of forest lands into FMUs. The study shall determine the actual 
forest cover of the country, and shall ensure that the required forest cover is 
achieved, sustained, and protected. 
 
SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage. — The provisions of this Act shall apply to all 
forest lands and all forest resources in lands over which the Philippines has 
sovereignty and jurisdiction: Provided, That all forest lands and forest resources found 
in protected areas established under the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
(NIPAS) shall be sustainably managed and developed consistent with the provisions 
of Republic Act No. 7586, or the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 
1992", as amended by Republic Act No. 11038 or the "Expanded National Integrated 
Protected Areas Systems Act of 2018" Provided, further, That all wildlife resources 
and critical habitats found in forest lands, including alienable and disposable lands, 
shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation 
and Protection Act": Provided, furthermore, That the rights of ICC/IPs to their ancestral 
forest lands, as provided in Republic Act No. 8371 or the "Indigenous Peoples' Rights 
Act of 1997" shall be respected: Provided finally, That all forest lands under the 
management or administration of local government units (LGUs) and other 
government agencies or instrumentalities shall be managed in accordance with their 
duly legislated charters and the principles and provisions of this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 5. Sustainable Forest Management Strategies. — Consistent with the 
objectives of this Act, the following strategies shall be employed: 
a. 
Inclusive and responsive governance of forests and forest lands through 
integrated landscape planning and development in watersheds, and the adoption 
of community-based approaches by local stakeholders; 
b. 
Promotion and direction for complementary and combined investments of the 
public and private sectors for the protection of natural forests, holistic restoration 
in watershed landscapes, reforestation and regeneration in degraded protection 
forest lands, forest plantations and smallholder forest farms using combinations 
of high value indigenous and suitable species; 


 
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c. 
Development of localized and watershed specific framework for the sustainable 
use and regulation of ecosystem goods and services that will enhance 
biodiversity conservation, establish systems for payment of environmental 
services, improve resilience to the impact of climate change, and increase the 
supply of timber, non-timber, biomass, wildlife, food, medicines among others; 
d. 
Promotion of landscape-linked and holistic forestry research, education, and 
extension on forest ecosystem assets, services accounting and valuation; 
e. 
Strengthening the professionalization of the forestry service consistent with 
Republic Act No. 10690 or "The Forestry Profession Act"  
 
SECTION 6. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act: — 
a. 
Ancestral forest lands and domains defined as such under Republic Act No. 
8371, or "The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997";  
b. 
Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources, 
including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems in the ecological 
complexes of which they are part of; 
c. 
Certification refers to a verification process conducted by a third party to 
determine whether or not a forest land is managed based on a defined set of 
standards; 
d. 
Climate change refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes 
in the mean or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period 
whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity; 
e. 
Climate change mitigation refers to human intervention to reduce anthropogenic 
emissions of greenhouse gases including ozone depleting substances and their 
substitutes such as increasing the capacity of carbon sinks;  
f. 
Ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each other 
and with their environment; 
g. 
Ecosystem goods and services refer to the multitude of material and nonmaterial 
provisions and benefits from healthy ecosystems necessary for human 
sustenance, well-being, and survival including support processes, provisioning 
and environment regulating services, and cultural resource preservation 
services; 
h. 
Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural or cultural 
heritage area where community participation, protection and management of 


 
6
natural resources, culture, and indigenous knowledge and practices, 
environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are pursued 
for the enrichment of host community and satisfaction of visitors; 
i. 
Forest refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated by 
trees and other natural vegetation, populated by plants and animals interacting 
with one another and their natural environment. It refers to a land with an area of 
more than half (0.5) hectare and with tree crown cover or equivalent stocking 
level of more than ten percent (10%); 
j. 
Forest land of the public domain classified as needed for forest purposes, 
including both production and protection. It includes all forest reserves of the 
public domain; 
k. 
Forest management unit (FMU) refers to a clearly defined forest area assigned 
for management based on a set of objectives and a long-term watershed-based 
management plan; 
l. 
Forest-based industries refer to industries that are dependent on raw materials 
or products derived from forests such as wood, rattan, bamboo, 
vines, 
latex, resins, saps, essences, fruits, flowers, or wild flora and fauna; Forest 
Protection Officers refer to officials or employees of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, hereinafter referred to as DENR, who are 
granted the authority to enforce all forestry and environmental laws and conduct 
arrests, seizures, and apprehensions in relation to environmental law 
enforcement; 
n. 
Forest resources refer to all products and resources in forest lands or in other 
lands devoted for forest purposes including biomass such as plants and animals, 
their by-products and derivatives, and non-biomass such as soil, water, scenery;  
o. 
Forest restoration refers to a management strategy applied in degraded primary 
forests to enhance and accelerate natural processes of a forest ecosystem; 
p. 
Forest stand refers to a contiguous community of trees sufficiently uniform in 
composition, structure, age, size, class, distribution, spatial arrangement, site 
quality, condition or location to distinguish it from adjacent communities; 
q. 
Indigenous cultural communities/Indigenous peoples refer to a group of people 
sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and other distinctive 
cultural traits, and who have, since time immemorial occupied, possessed and 
utilized a territory; 


 
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r. 
Indigenous species refer to species or genotypes that have evolved in the same 
area, region or biotope and are adapted to the specific predominant ecological 
conditions at the time of establishment; 
s. 
Multiple-use of land refers to the harmonized sustainable use of land, soil, water, 
wildlife, recreation value, grass and timber of forest lands; 
t. 
Natural forest refers to a forest composed of naturally growing indigenous trees, 
not planted by humans, whose structure, composition, and dynamics have been 
largely the result of natural succession process; 
u. 
Non-timber forest products refer to all biological materials and derivatives other 
than timber including fruits, nuts and vegetables, fish and game, medicinal 
plants, resins, essences, rays and fibers of tree barks, and other palms and 
grasses; 
v. 
Plantation refers to forest stands established by planting or seeding in the 
process of afforestation or reforestation. A stand is composed of either 
introduced species, or of any indigenous species, which are of even age and 
regular spacing; 
w. 
Primary forests or old-growth forests refer to forests which have never been 
subjected to human disturbance or have been very minimally affected by hunting, 
gathering, and tree cutting that their natural structure, function, and dynamics 
have not gone any change that exceed the elastic capacity of the ecosystem; 
x. 
Processing plant refers to any establishment or infrastructure that houses any 
mechanical set-up, device, machine, or combination of machines used for the 
conversion of logs and other forest raw materials into lumber, fiberboard, pulp, 
paper, or other finished wood products; 
y. 
Public forest lands refer to all lands of the public domain that have not been 
declared National Parks under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7586, or the 
"National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", as amended by 
Republic Act No. 11038 or the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas 
System Act of 2018"; mineral lands pursuant to Republic Act No. 7942 otherwise 
known as the "Philippine Mining Act of 1995"; and those lands not classified as 
agricultural lands based on the maps developed by the National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority;  


 
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z. 
Reforestation refers to the re-establishment of forest formations that have been 
reduced to less than 10% canopy cover due to human activities or natural 
perturbations; 
aa. Rehabilitation refers to reforestation or afforestation activities including 
mechanical measures such as contouring and terracing; 
bb. Secondary forest refers to a former forest that was over-logged and which is 
characterized by residuals such as small trees, branches, tops, or other 
unmerchantable wood remaining after the clearing, thinning or final felling of 
forest stands; 
cc. 
Sustainable forest management refers to the watershed-based management of 
forest land and resources to achieve clearly specified objectives as regards the 
production of continuous flow of desired forest products and ecosystem services 
without undue reduction of its inherent values, biodiversity and future productivity 
and without undesirable effects on the physical and social environment; 
dd. Sustainable use refers to the use of forest resources in a way and a rate that 
does not lead to its long-term decline, thereby maintaining its potential to meet 
the needs and aspirations of present and future generations; 
ee. Tenure refers to the guaranteed and peaceful access and use of a specific forest 
land and the resources found therein through an agreement, contract, or grant 
which cannot be altered or abrogated without due process; 
ff. 
Watershed refers to an area of land drained by a stream or fixed body of water 
and its tributaries with a common outlet for surface runoff. A watershed can be 
part of a larger landscape that includes connections from the head waters to the 
reef; and 
gg.  Watershed reservation refers to a forest land that has been proclaimed by the 
President and by law as such, primarily for water production purposes, although 
other compatible uses may be allowed under sustainable and multiple-use 
concepts. 
 
ARTICLE II 
SUSTAINABLE USE OF FOREST LANDS AND FOREST RESOURCES 
SECTION 7. Administration, Development, Management and Sustainable use of 
Forest Lands. — The development and sustainable use of forest lands and forest 
resources shall be under the full supervision and control of the State. Towards this 


 
9
end, the State may directly undertake such activities or enter into technical and 
financial agreements with qualified persons. The DENR, through the Forest 
Management Bureau, hereinafter referred to as FMB, shall be responsible for the 
administration, development, management, and sustainable use of forest lands as 
defined in this Act. It shall have the authority to enter into management agreements or 
issue tenure instruments on behalf of the Government. 
 
SECTION 8. Forest Land Delineation. — The delineation of forest lands as 
completed by the DENR shall be adopted. All forest lands categorized as public forest 
lands shall not be reclassified, except through an Act of Congress. 
 
SECTION 9. Management of Forest Lands. — All forest lands shall be managed for 
protection or production purposes. 
a. 
All areas within the forest lands designated or set aside as such shall constitute 
protection forest lands. These shall consist of the following: 
1.  
Primary and secondary forests; 
2.  
All areas that are one thousand (1,000) meters above sea level; 
3.  
Limestone forests, forests over ultramafic rocks, peat swamps, beaches, 
and freshwater swamps; 
4.  
All existing natural mangroves; 
5.  
All areas with a slope of fifty percent (50%) or more; 
6.  
All areas along the bank of rivers and streams, and the shores of the seas 
and lakes throughout the entire length and within a zone of three (3) meters 
in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) 
meters in forest areas, along their margins which are subject to the 
easement of public use; and 
7.  
All watersheds that have been proclaimed by the President or by law as 
such, primarily for water production purposes or for other compatible uses 
under sustainable and multiple-use management concepts. 
 
All extractive activities, such as harvesting, gathering, and collection of forest 
resources except non-timber forest products and scientific and educational use as 
permitted by the FMB, are prohibited within forest lands for protection purposes: 
Provided, That the sustainable traditional resource rights of ICCs/IPs as defined under 


 
10
the Republic Act No. 8371, or "The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997", shall be 
respected: Provided, further: That such traditional activities are not destructive of the 
forest, and that these activities shall promote the protection of the forest. 
Establishment of built-up facilities are also prohibited within protection forest 
lands, except for special use consistent with sustainable forest management 
strategies. 
a. 
Only indigenous species shall be planted or introduced within protection 
forest lands. 
b. 
All public forest lands not classified as protection forest lands pursuant 
to this Section shall constitute the production forest lands. These lands shall be 
devoted for the production of timber and non-timber forest products to supply the 
domestic forest resource demand of the country and facilitate international trade of 
forest resources. 
 
SECTION 10. Forest Management Units. — For the purpose of operations and 
management, all public forests or timber lands shall be assigned and registered as 
Forest Management Units (FMUs) with the DENR: Provided, That all areas under an 
existing and valid tenure agreement or management with the DENR before the 
passage of this Act shall be considered as FMUs. 
Each FMU shall be managed for protection or production purposes. Protection 
FMUs shall have the primary function of protecting life support systems to regulate 
water resources, prevent flooding, control erosion, prevent seawater intrusion, 
maintain soil fertility, and conserve plant and wildlife biodiversity and their ecosystem. 
Production FMUs shall have the primary function of producing forest products, food, 
energy, or fresh water. 
 
SECTION 11. Managers of FMUs. — To ensure effective management of forest 
lands, only qualified persons shall be designated managers of FMUs. An FMU 
manager may be a natural or juridical person and includes local and ICC/IPs' 
households, civil society organizations, business organizations, forest land use tenure 
holders, and national and local government units subject to the requirements to be 
provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
 


 
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SECTION 12. FMU Development and Management Planning. — Every FMU shall 
have a management plan formulated by the FMU Manager, reviewed and concurred 
by a Registered Professional Forester, and approved by the FMB. In case the FMU 
holder is an individual, a member of an ICC/IP, or a member of civil society, the FMB 
shall provide assistance in the preparation and formulation of a management plan. In 
designating FMUs within a watershed, and in awarding the appropriate tenurial 
instruments, priority shall be given to indigenous peoples. 
 
SECTION 13. Sustainable Management of Mangrove Resources. — Mangrove 
species planted within production forest lands can be harvested, gathered or collected, 
taking into consideration the basic forestry policies and strategies provided for in this 
Act. The harvesting, gathering, collection of mangrove species shall be upon the 
authority of FMB. 
 
SECTION 14. Mined-Out Areas and Abandoned Fishpond Areas. — Forest lands 
that are considered as either mined-out areas or abandoned fishpond lease areas 
shall be under the management and administration of the FMB. 
 
SECTION 15. Sustainable Use of Forest Resources. — The harvesting, gathering, 
and collection of all planted forest resources within production forest lands, including 
its by-products and derivatives, shall not require any clearance from the DENR: 
Provided, That the volume of harvested products is consistent with the approved 
management plan: Provided, further, That the DENR shall establish a National Forest 
Stock Monitoring System (NFSMS) to ensure the sustainable use of the forest 
resources and strengthen the timber legality assurance system for forest products: 
Provided, furthermore, That the FMB shall set up a monitoring mechanism that will 
include members of the local   consultative bodies: Provided, finally, That any request 
for clearance for domestic transport of forest resources submitted to the DENR shall 
be acted upon within seven (7) days from the date of its submission with the proper 
office. If no action has been taken by the DENR after the lapse of seven (7) days, the 
clearance for transport shall be deemed approved. 
The harvesting, gathering, collection, and transport of non-timber forest products 
within production forest lands shall be exempt from any clearance from the 
government. 


 
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All timber and non-timber forest products planted within private lands shall 
belong to the owner of the land who shall have the right to harvest, gather, and collect 
the same without any clearance from the DENR or other concerned government 
institutions. 
 
SECTION 16. Regulation and Sustainable Use of Forest Resources within 
Ancestral Forest Lands. — The rights of the indigenous cultural communities or 
indigenous peoples over their ancestral forest lands shall be respected: Provided, That 
the management of forest resources within those lands shall be regulated by the 
DENR as provided for by laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
ARTICLE III 
FOREST-BASED INDUSTRIES 
SECTION 17. Development of an Open and Competitive Market for Forest 
Resources. — To meet the demands for forest goods and services, the DENR shall 
promote and rationalize the establishment, operations, and development of forest-
based industries. The DENR shall institute measures to develop an open and 
competitive market for forest products including the liberalization of forest products 
harvesting, transport, and marketing. 
 
SECTION 18. Export of Certified Forest Products. — No person shall sell or offer 
for sale any forest resources in the international market without complying with the 
certification system established by the Government. Failure to adhere to the 
established standards, or any act of falsification shall be sufficient cause for the 
cancellation of export licenses and other permits authorizing the manufacture or sale 
of such resources. 
 
SECTION 19. Regulation of Forest-Based Industries. — All processing plants using 
forest resources as raw materials shall be subject to existing regulations prescribed 
by law, such the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System: Provided, That 
these processing plants are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry and 
have been issued the required clearance from the concerned LGU. 
 


 
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SECTION 20. Support for Private Investments and Economic Contribution. — 
Forest-based industries shall be given appropriate incentives in order to encourage 
global competitiveness and enable them to support demand for wood and other 
products, and enhance their economic contribution to the country. Agroforestry 
economic zones may be established in order to attract local and foreign investments 
 
SECTION 21. Community-Based Forest Enterprises. — Economic activities, 
practices and forest-based enterprises of local communities and ICCs/IPs that 
promote the sustainable use of forest resources shall be supported and promoted to 
address food security and improve their quality of life. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
ENABLING CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT 
SECTION 22. Forest Land Use and Tenure Instruments. — The DENR may 
undertake the development and sustainable use of forest lands and forest resources 
found therein in cooperation with qualified persons, whether natural or juridical, 
through tenure instruments. The order of priority in the provision of land use rights 
shall be as follows: 
a. 
Duly recognized indigenous peoples, organizations, and households in the case 
of FMUs within ancestral forest lands; 
b. 
Holders of valid and existing forestry agreements with DENR and FMB; 
c. 
Investors on forest lands with free and prior informed consent (FPIC) with 
indigenous peoples; and  
d. 
Investors on public forest lands that are not under any agreement with the DENR 
and other persons. 
Any person who is party to any of the agreements mentioned in this section shall 
not be allowed to transfer or convey rights vested by the agreements within five (5) 
years from the issuance of the agreement. Thereafter, the person shall be able to 
transfer, or convey the rights of interests therein subject to a written authority from the 
Secretary or duly authorized representative: Provided, That the transferor has 
complied with the terms and conditions of the agreement: Provided, further, That the 
transferee shall assume the obligations of the transferor. 
All parcels of public forest lands that are not covered by any management 
agreement or tenure instrument shall be converted to FMUs. 


 
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SECTION 23. Forest Management Agreement. — The DENR and a qualified 
person, whether natural or juridical, may enter into a forest management agreement 
for the development, sustainable use, and management of forest lands and forest 
resources found therein. The forest management agreement shall be for twenty-five 
(25) years and may be extended for another twenty-five (25) years. 
 
SECTION 24. Scope of Forest Management Agreement. — A forest management 
agreement may be entered into for the following purposes: 
a. 
Agroforestry plantations, in accordance with the standards of the DENR for 
forest plantations development; 
b. 
Forest plantation development; 
c. 
Ecotourism development;  
d. 
Forest restoration; and Special uses for forest lands. 
A forest management agreement may be entered into for a single purpose or a 
combination of any of the abovementioned purposes. 
 
SECTION 25. Special Uses of Forest Lands. — Special uses of forest lands shall 
include the following:  
a. 
Establishment of forest park 
 
b. 
Dry dock site; 
 
c. 
Industrial processing site; 
 
d. 
Herbal or medicinal plantation; 
 
e.  
Fish drying site; 
 
f.  
Communication station site; 
 
g.  
Public landing site or airstrip; 
 
h. 
Log pond or log depot; 
 
i. 
Lumber yard; 
 
j. 
Motor pool site; 
 
k. 
Power station site; 
 
l. 
Transmission line site; 
m. 
Right-of-Way; 
 
n. 
Farm-to-market roads; 
 
o. 
Government facility site; 


 
15
 
p.  
Water reservoir; and 
 
q. 
Renewable energy projects. 
  
SECTION 26. Qualified Persons. — The following persons are qualified to enter into 
a Forest Management Agreement with the State: 
a. 
Filipino citizens; 
b. 
Local and ICC/IP's households, civil society organizations, small and 
medium enterprises, and people's organizations; 
c. 
Corporations or associations at least sixty percent (60%) of whose capital 
is owned by Filipinos; 
d. 
Local government units, when the purpose of the Agreement is for public 
use or the establishment of government centers and facilities; or 
e. 
Other national government agencies or government-owned or controlled 
corporations, when the purpose of the Forest Management Agreement is 
of national interest, such as the construction of electric transmission or 
distribution lines, or water reservoirs. 
 
SECTION 27. Benefit Sharing. — The following schemes shall be observed by the 
parties to a Forest Management Agreement in relation to the sharing of benefits 
derived from the agreement: 
a. 
For forest plantations and forest plantations with processing plants, the sharing 
of outputs shall be based on the total gross output of the plantation harvests. 
Said sharing shall be done in a manner advantageous to the national interest 
without prejudice for incentives that may be prescribed by the DENR.  
b. 
For ecotourism purposes, the person who enters into a forest management 
agreement with the State shall pay an annual user's fee equivalent to five percent 
(5%) zonal value per square meter or a fraction thereof of the nearest commercial 
area. 
c. 
Non-income generating government facilities such as public school sites, public 
hospitals or clinics, government center or offices, roads, farm-to market access 
roads, and public buildings are exempt from paying any fee or other pecuniary 
obligation with the State: Provided, That the use of these establishments or 
infrastructures shall not be subject to privatization. 
 


 
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SECTION 28. Forestry Research, Education, Training, and Extension. — The 
Forestry Development Center (FDC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños 
Research, in collaboration with schools, universities, and colleges (SUCs) as well as 
other stakeholders, shall undertake forest policy research and technology 
development in support of sustainable forest management. 
The DENR, the Department of Science and Technology, the Commission on 
Higher Education, and universities shall, within one (1) year from the passage of this 
Act, prepare a comprehensive sustainable national forestry and environmental 
research and technology development and transfer program in furtherance of 
sustainable forest management, which shall be implemented, monitored, and 
reviewed in accordance with existing research management systems. 
Continuing professional development shall be promoted in universities and 
training institutions on forestry and natural resources management subject to the 
Professional Regulation Commission's (PRC) accreditation system. Forestry 
education in the Philippines shall be rationalized to ensure the quality of formal forestry 
education and national and regional centers of development and excellence in forestry 
and environmental education shall be established, supported and sustained to develop 
high quality human resources and promote global competitiveness. The Commission 
on Higher Education shall include forest ecology and environment courses in general 
education curricula. The   DENR shall formulate a sustained nationwide public 
information and advocacy campaign for forests and natural resources conservation, 
sustainable forest management, and climate change. 
 
SECTION 29. The Sustainable Forest Development Fund. — There is hereby 
established a trust fund to be known as the Sustainable Forest Development Fund 
(SFDF) to be utilized as concessional financing for forest development projects 
proposed by the managers of FMUs. The Fund shall be administered by a government 
financial institution as a trust account. 
The preferred government financing institution (GFI), together with the DENR, 
shall invest at most 75% of the net interest income from loans to forest development-
support facilities including road networks, seedling nurseries, water supply systems, 
and research facilities subject to recommendation by the FMB. 
The SFDF may be augmented by grants, donations, payment for ecosystem 
services, and endowment from various sources local and international sources. 


 
17
 
In addition, at least seventy percent (70%) of forest charges and government 
share collected, including proceeds from the sale of confiscated forest resources, 
machinery, equipment, and tools, fines, and penalties shall be set aside for the SFDF. 
Disbursements from the fund shall be made solely for the protection, 
maintenance, development of the forest area, and duly approved projects endorsed 
by the forest management units, in the amounts authorized by the DENR subject to 
existing accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, That the 
fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures. 
 
SECTION 30. Importation and Sale. — Forest resources may be imported into the 
country, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. All imported forest resources 
shall comply with the Philippine National Standards to be developed by the 
Department of Trade and Industry in coordination with the Forest Products Research 
and Development Institute and the DENR. Compliance with these standards shall be 
a precondition for the sale or disposition of these products in the Philippines. 
 
ARTICLE V 
ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNANCE 
SECTION 31. Creation of the Position of Undersecretary for Forestry. —There is 
hereby created in the DENR the position of the Undersecretary for Forestry who shall 
perform the following functions: 
a. 
Oversee the provision of technical, marketing, financial, tenurial and 
infrastructure support to persons and entities engaged in FMU management; 
b. 
Ensure watershed-based planning and monitoring processes are observed in 
forestry-related developments; 
c. 
Facilitate institutional linkages and convergence initiatives among forestry 
stakeholders in support of effective development and management of forest 
lands consistent with its protection and production uses; 
d. 
Provide scientific information-based policy recommendations in aide of 
sustainable forest management; and 
e. 
Promote cost-effectiveness of forestry investments among local and international 
investors and donors in line with sustainable forest management. The President 
of the Republic of the Philippines shall appoint the Undersecretary whose office's 


 
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structure and staffing shall be recommended by the DENR Secretary subject to 
existing laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
SECTION 32. Reconstitution of the Forest Management Bureau. — The Forest 
Management Bureau is hereby reconstituted as a line bureau under the DENR. It shall 
be responsible for the administration, sustainable management, development, and 
conservation of forest lands and forest resources of the country, with functions 
specifically as follows: 
a. 
Implement all policies, plans, programs, projects and activities concerning forest 
lands with provision for effective feedback and reporting mechanisms; 
b. 
Ensure the provision of technical, marketing, financial, tenurial and infrastructure 
support to persons and entities engaged in FMU management; 
c. 
Enforce watershed-based planning approaches in all forestland development 
and management endeavors; 
d. 
Encourage the participation of forestry stakeholders in all forestry related 
consultative processes; 
e. 
Develop and implement an effective geographical information system in aide of 
forestry planning, monitoring and policy formulation; 
f. 
Monitor and evaluate the physical, environmental, and socio-economic outcomes 
in the management of all FMUs; and 
g. 
Formulate and publish periodic reports informing stakeholders of the status of 
the Philippine forest lands using both qualitative and quantitative methods. 
 
SECTION 33. Composition of the Forest Management Bureau. — As a line bureau, 
the Forest Management Bureau shall be headed by a Director and assisted by two (2) 
Assistant Directors who shall supervise the administrative and technical services of 
the Bureau respectively. There shall be an FMB Regional Director in each 
administrative region with corresponding offices and positions. Consistent with 
Republic Act No. 10690, or "The Forestry Profession Act", only registered professional 
foresters (RPF) shall be appointed to the aforementioned positions. 
 
SECTION 34. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agencies. — Concerned LGUs, the 
Department of Interior and Local Government, and the DENR may call upon law 
enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government such as the Philippine 


 
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National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast 
Guard (PCG), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the enforcement of 
environmental laws, executive orders, and their implementing rules and regulations. 
 
SECTION 35. Local Government Participation. — Enabling mechanisms shall be 
developed to enhance the participation of the LGUs in watershed management 
planning, sustainable use, conservation, and protection of forest resources within their 
territorial jurisdiction, including forest resources which have been placed by law under 
the administration and management of other government agencies. 
LGUs with forest lands within their jurisdiction shall align their CLUPs, local 
development plans, disaster risk reduction management plans and other required 
plans according to the objectives specified herein and in the protected area 
management plans. 
 
SECTION 36. Other Government Agencies. — Forest lands or portions thereof, 
which have been placed under the administration and management of other 
government agencies, shall remain as such: Provided, That the DENR shall oversee 
the administration and management of these areas based on the policies, strategies, 
and programs mandated under this Act: Provided, further, That the concerned 
agencies shall submit an annual accomplishment report to the DENR. 
 
SECTION 37. Multi-Sectoral Consultative Bodies in Relation to Natural 
Resources Governance. — Pursuant to this Act, a technical and multi-sectoral 
consultative body involving all direct stakeholders concerned within a watershed shall 
be convened by the DENR specifically for each FMU and cluster of FMUs as 
appropriate, and shall be consulted at least once a year to review and make 
recommendations pertaining to watershed-based management related policies at the 
local and regional level. 
 
SECTION 38. Function of Multi-Sectoral Consultative Bodies. — The body shall 
be responsible for the over-all policy direction in the management of the forest lands 
and forest resources found within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with the 
provision of this Act. Specifically, it shall (a) review and recommend implementation of 
programs and projects, (b) perform oversight functions on matters pertaining to 


 
20
environment and natural resources, and (c) participate in the review and recommend 
relevant policies for the protection, conservation and restoration efforts within the 
watershed in ensuring significant contribution of the forestry sector to national 
economy, ecological sustainability, and sustainable development closely adhering to 
the principles and priority programs of the Government. Said body may also facilitate 
the initiation of the LGUs' participation in monitoring the transfer and implementation 
of devolved functions to the LGUs. 
 
SECTION 39. Power and Water Utility Service Providers. — Forest lands or 
portions thereof, which have been placed by law or agreement under the 
administration and management of government and private power and water utility 
service providers, shall be included in the partitioning of forest lands into appropriate 
categories consistent with the purpose of the assigned forest land, and shall remain 
under the administration and management of the said utility service providers 
concerned: Provided, That the DENR shall exercise oversight power on the planning, 
management, sustainable use, and assessment of all forest resources in these areas. 
 
SECTION 40. Governance Support Mechanism. — The following mechanisms shall 
be developed, established, and used for the effective implementation of the 
sustainable forest management program: 
 
a. 
The principles and practices of transparency, accountability, and 
participatory decision-making, in transactions, decision, and actions affecting forestry, 
in all levels, and the policy of streamlining, decentralization, devolution, and 
deregulation shall be adopted, promoted, and institutionalized in the DENR; 
 
b. 
Forest land use plans shall be integrated with the comprehensive land 
use plans of local government units;  
c. 
Networks and linkages with local and international institutions, civil 
society organizations, local government units and industries involved in the promotion 
and practice of sustainable forest management shall be strengthened; 
d. 
The DENR shall prescribe appropriate fees and government shares for 
different kinds of sustainable use, exploitation, occupation, possession, or activities 
within forest lands, as well as the corresponding administrative fees for permits, 
agreements, and other services;  


 
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e. 
The DENR shall have the authority to impose other fees for payment for 
ecosystem services and forest protection, management, reforestation, and 
development. In addition, the DENR may waive fees and charges on government 
activities within forest lands that support public utility, social welfare, national security, 
or national interest; 
 
f. 
The DENR shall undertake the monitoring and control of forest 
management and sustainable use through third-party audit and certification. A 
National Forest Certification System shall be established which will outline the policy, 
rules, procedures, and management for implementing forest management certification 
and chain-of-custody certification in promoting timber legality assurance system in the 
country. The DENR shall develop pertinent guidelines, in coordination with all 
stakeholders, for the implementation of this provision subsequent to the effectivity of 
this Act; 
 
g. 
The DENR shall establish a forest management information system 
which shall consist of comprehensive up-to-date information on the physical, social, 
financial, economic, biological, and environmental components of the country’s forest 
lands and forest resources. It shall include a continuous monitoring system to track 
the sustainable use and movement or transfer of forest-based goods and services, the 
changes in the state of forest resources and ecosystem services, and its drivers. The 
system shall likewise include a ground-based validation system for assessing progress 
towards sustainable forest management; 
h. 
It shall be the priority of the State to ensure that government employees 
involved in the implementation of the sustainable forest management law are properly 
trained, sufficiently equipped, adequately compensated, and given ample 
opportunities to participate in its implementation. 
 
ARTICLE VI 
OFFENSES AND PENALTIES 
SECTION 41. Harvesting, Gathering, Collection, or Possession of Forest 
Resources from Protection Forest Lands. — Any person who shall harvest, gather, 
collect, or possess any forest resource from protection forest lands shall be punished 
with imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and 
one (1) day or a fine equivalent to ten (10) times the value of the said forest resource. 
The Forest Protection Officers shall have the authority to estimate the present market 


 
22
value of the forest resources subject of the illegal harvest, gathering, collection or 
possession based on the guidelines promulgated by the DENR. 
In the case of partnerships, associations, or corporations, the president, 
managing partner or general manager shall be held liable. 
An alien who commits these prohibited acts shall be deported after payment of 
the fine imposed by the Bureau of Immigration without deportation proceedings. 
 
SECTION 42. Illegal Harvesting, Gathering, Collection, or Possession of Forest 
Resources as an Act of Economic Sabotage. — Any of the acts enumerated in the 
preceding section shall be considered as an economic sabotage when committed by: 
a. 
At least two (2) or more persons through an organized and systematic manner; 
and 
b. 
Any person, when the amount of forest resources harvested, gathered, collected, 
or possessed amounts to at least One million pesos (P1,000,000.00). 
The penalty of imprisonment for twenty (20) years and one (1) day up to forty 
(40) years shall be imposed. 
 
SECTION 43. Grazing Livestock in Forest Lands Without Authority. — Any person 
found to have caused the grazing of livestock in forest lands without authority from the 
DENR shall be punished with imprisonment of two (2) years, four (4) months, and one 
(1) day up to four (4) years and two (2) months. The livestock shall be confiscated in 
favor of the local government unit (LGU) concerned. 
 
SECTION 44. Unlawful Occupation of Forest Lands. — Except for ICC/IPs 
occupying ancestral forest lands consistent with their CADC or CADT and the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8371 or "The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act", any 
person who, without authority from the DENR, takes possession of or occupies any 
parcel of forest land shall be punished with a penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years 
and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00), but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00) and forced eviction from the area. 
 
SECTION 45. Destruction of Forest Lands. — Any person who shall destroy or 
cause destruction within protection, ancestral, or public forest lands or assist, aids, or 


 
23
abets another person to do so, shall be punished with a penalty of imprisonment of six 
(6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, and a fine of not less than One 
hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00,) but not more than Five million pesos  
 
SECTION 46. Unlawful Operations of Sawmills, Wood Processing Plants, and 
Forest-Based Industries. — Any person operating a sawmill, wood processing plant, 
and forest-based industry without any authority from the DENR shall be punished with 
a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, 
and a fine of not less than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00). 
If the offender is a public official or employee, the accessory penalty of 
permanent disqualification shall be imposed, including forfeiture of all government 
benefits. 
All forest resources, machinery, equipment, and tools pertinent to the operations 
of the abovementioned establishments shall be confiscated in favor of the 
Government. 
 
SECTION 47. Prohibition on the Issuance of Land Titles or Tax Declarations on 
Forest Lands. — All land titles and tax declaration issued over forest lands shall be 
deemed void ab initio. Any person who shall issue land titles and tax declarations over 
any forest land or a parcel thereof shall be punished with imprisonment of six (6) years 
and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, with a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (P 100,000.00), but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00). The accessory penalty of disqualification shall be imposed for a period 
of twelve (12) years and one (1) day. 
 
SECTION 48. Non-Payment and Non-Remittance of Forestry Fees and Charges. 
— Any person who fails to pay the amount due and payable as forestry fees or charges 
to the government or remit the same to the proper authorities within the prescribed 
period shall be punished with a penalty of imprisonment for a period of six (6) years 
and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, with a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (P 100,000.00), but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00). 
 


 
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SECTION 49. Non-Establishment of Tree Parks and Green Spaces. — Every LGU 
shall establish and maintain tree parks and green spaces pursuant to their 
comprehensive land use plans. Allocations for the establishment and maintenance of 
the same shall form part of the local government unit's annual budget. 
Every owner of land subdivided into residential, commercial, or industrial lots 
shall reserve, establish and maintain at least thirty percent (30%) of the total land area 
of the subdivision, exclusive of roads, service streets and alleys as green space for 
tree parks. 
No subdivision plan shall be approved by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory 
Board unless at least thirty percent (30%) of the total area of the subdivision has been 
reserved as green space. The owner must develop the green space within three (3) 
years from the approval of the subdivision plan. 
Any LGU or owner of a parcel of land subdivided into residential, commercial, or 
industrial lots who fails to establish green spaces or tree parks as provided in the 
preceding paragraphs shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Five hundred 
thousand pesos (P500,000.00), but not more than One million pesos  
 
SECTION 50. Illegal Conversion of Tree Parks and Green Spaces. — Any person 
who shall convert or cause to convert any tree park or green space for a purpose 
inconsistent with that which is provided for by this Act shall be punished with a penalty 
of imprisonment for six (6) years and one (1) day up to twelve (12) years, or a fine not 
less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), but not more than One million 
pesos (P1,000,000.00). 
If the offender is a public official or employee, the accessory penalty of 
disqualification shall be imposed for a period of twelve (12) years and one (1) day. If 
the offender is an official or an employee of the DENR, the accessory penalty of 
permanent disqualification shall be imposed. 
 
SECTION 51. Arrest and Detention. — If the apprehension of an offender was 
conducted in areas far from the place where persons authorized to conduct inquest 
proceedings are located, the delivery of the said person to the proper judicial 
authorities shall be done within a reasonable time period, taking into consideration the 
ordinary travel time from the place of arrest to the place of delivery. 


 
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In order to facilitate the filing of appropriate charges against arrested persons for 
violations of this Act, the Department of Justice shall designate in every city and 
province a special prosecutor who shall be responsible for such filing. 
 
SECTION 52. Public Auction of Forest Resources. — If the confiscated forest 
resources are in danger of deteriorating, the DENR may order that the same be sold 
at public auction even before the termination of the judicial proceedings, and the 
proceeds thereof shall be kept in trust until such time that the judicial proceedings are 
completed and judgment is made as to the disposition of such forest resources. 
 
SECTION 53. Authority of Forest Protection Officers. — In the performance of their 
official duties, forest protection officers or other public officials or employees 
authorized by the DENR shall have free access into forest lands or any parcel thereof. 
They are also authorized to search the exterior and interior of all vehicles 
suspected to contain illegally harvested, collected, or gathered forest resources: 
Provided, That the search is done in the presence of the apprehended persons and 
two (2) public local officials. 
Finally, forest protection officers are authorized to administer oaths, and take 
acknowledgments on official matters connected to the implementation of this Act and 
its rules and regulations. 
 
ARTICLE VII 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SECTION 54. Administrative Authority of the DENR Secretary or the Duly 
Authorized Representative to Order Confiscation. — In all cases of violations of 
this Act or other forest laws, rules and regulations, the DENR Secretary or a duly 
authorized representative may order the confiscation of forest resources illegally 
harvested, collected, gathered, possessed and those that are abandoned. This 
authority shall extend to all conveyances used either on land, water or air as well as 
machinery, equipment, implements, and tools used in the commission of the offense, 
and to dispose of the same in accordance with pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.  
 
SECTION 55. Administrative Authority of the DENR Secretary to Impose Fines. 
— The DENR Secretary or a duly authorized representative, after the consultation with 


 
26
the forest-based industries affected, is hereby authorized to set the amount of fines 
for the offenses described in this Act and shall publish the schedule of fines in a 
national newspaper of general circulation. 
 
SECTION 56. Fines Escalation Clause. — The fines herein prescribed shall be 
increased by at least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for 
inflation and to enhance the deterrent purpose of such fines. 
 
SECTION 57. Informant's Incentive. — Twenty percent (20%) of the value of 
confiscated materials shall be used as incentives to informants, including forest 
management councils and forest management boards to be placed in the SFDF. They 
shall also be entitled to free legal assistance should cases be filed against them in the 
performance of official duties. 
 
SECTION 58. Suits and Strategic Legal Action Against Public Participation and 
the Enforcement of this Act. — 
a. 
A legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any 
legal recourse that any person, institution, or the government has taken or may take 
in the enforcement of this Act, or to protect the environment, or uphold the 
environmental rights of persons, shall be treated as a strategic legal action against 
public participation and shall be governed by this Section. 
b. 
A suit and a strategic legal action against public participation may be 
interposed as a defense by a person involved in the enforcement of environmental 
laws, protection of the environment, or assertion of environmental rights. The suit or 
strategic legal action shall be supported by documents, affidavits, papers, and other 
evidence; and, if it contains a counterclaim, must be accompanied by a prayer for 
damages, attorney’s fees and costs of suit. 
The court shall direct the plaintiff or adverse party to file an opposition to the suit 
or strategic legal action asserting why the suit is not a not a valid defense within a non-
extensible period of five (5) days from receipt of notice that an answer has been filed. 
The suit or strategic legal action shall be set for hearing by the court after 
issuance of the order to file an opposition within fifteen (15) days from filing of the 
comment or the lapse of the period. 


 
27
c. 
The hearing on the suit or strategic legal action shall be summary in 
nature. The parties must submit all available evidence in support of their respective 
positions. The party seeking the dismissal of the case must prove by substantial 
evidence that the enforcement of this Act is a legitimate action for the protection, 
preservation and rehabilitation of the environment. The Party filing the action assailed 
as a strategic legal action against public participation and enforcement of this Act shall 
prove by preponderance of evidence that the action is a valid claim. 
d. 
The affirmative defense of a strategic legal action against public 
participation shall be resolved within thirty (30) days after the summary hearing. If the 
court dismisses the action, the court may award damages, attorney's fees and costs 
of suit under a counterclaim if such has been filed. 
If the court rejects the suit or strategic legal action, the evidence adduced during 
the summary hearing shall be treated as evidence of the parties on the merits of the 
case. The action shall proceed in accordance with the Rules of Court. 
 
SECTION 59. Citizen's Suit. — Any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or 
administrative action with the proper court against: 
a. 
Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its 
implementing rules and regulations; 
b. 
The DENR or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules, and 
regulations that are in contravention to this Act; and 
c. 
Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act 
specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or rules and regulations issued to 
implement it, or abuses the authority vested upon such public officer, or in any 
manner improperly performs the duties under this law or its implementing rules 
and regulations. 
However, no suit can be filed until after a notice of violation is sent to the alleged 
offender within thirty (30) days starting from the date of the occurrence of the violation. 
 
SECTION 60. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with other government agencies 
and relevant stakeholders shall prepare the necessary rules and regulations to 
implement this Act. 
 


 
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SECTION 61. Appropriations. — The DENR shall immediately include in the 
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
For LGUs, the funding requirements shall be taken from their internal revenue 
allotment (IRA) and other sources of income derived from the shares from the different 
modes of agreement. 
 
SECTION 62. Transitory Provision. — Upon the approval of this Act, all existing 
tenure instruments, agreements or contracts, permits, and the like, shall be reviewed 
by the DENR and shall not be renewed upon their expiration unless their terms are 
consistent with the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 63. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions with the provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 64. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 65. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,