REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINE

Second Regular

HOUSE OF REPRE:

ENTATWES
HOUSE BILL NO. 8246

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S, LACSON

Charcoal is made from the burning of wood by controlling oxygen which slows down the
combustion process until a black substance is produced. It is a carbon residue which has been used
to produce heat energy by humans perhaps since the beginning of civilization. Generally, itis used
for industrial production and as a home fuel. Charcoal is used by an average of 35% of all
households in the Philippines based on the Household Energy Consumption Survey (HCES).
Charcoal consumption by households in the Philippines grows at an average annual rate of 4.43%.

Because of the high demand for this cheap energy source, production of this substance has
been rampant throughout the country. While charcoal harvesting and production is banned in most
areas, there are many people who manage to keep up production, transportation, and sale, without
much interference from the authorities. This occurrence poses a lot of issues - not just in the health
of those involved in the production, but also the environmental hazards it brings. Production of
raw wood charcoal remains one of the top contributors of deforestation in the country.

While charcoal can be produced by using coconut shells, and other more sustainable
options, the cost of producing charcoal from raw wood remains cheaper by 50%. For that reason,
many producers opt to use raw wood instead to maximize profit. The desire to gain more profit
leaves our forests at risk of destruction. This destruction eventually leads to tragedies that claim
the innocent lives of Filipinos. Without the immediate intervention of the Government, these
practices will continue until our forest lands become depleted.

This Bill seeks the total prohibition on the production, transportation, and sale of raw wood
charcoal. This Bill likewise provides for penalties to those who will be found guilty of violating
its provisions, to protect our forests from unregulated activities, and prevent further degradation
of our resources, In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is sought.

—
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Téachers Partylist

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EIGHTEENTH CONGRE:
SS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.” )

Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 8246

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON

AN ACT
BANNING THE PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION, AND SALE OF
i, i, RAW WOOD
CHARCOAL PRODUCTS AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR ed

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Ban on Raw Wood Charcoal Act of
2020.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the

f the right of the people to a balanced and
late activities that substantially affect the
nlawful to cause the

conservation of our forest lands for the protection o!
healthful ecology. It shall be the duty of the State to regu
environment and its other natural resources. To this end, it shall be ur
production, transportation, and sale of raw wood charcoal in the Philippines.

Section 3. Definition. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined as -
“Charcoal” means wood fuel product derived from carbonization of raw wood or

other plant materials.

Section 4. Regulatory agency. — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) shall be the competent authority responsible for the monitoring of production,
transportation, and sale of raw wood charcoal.

Act:

Section 5. Prohibited Acts. — The following shall be prohibited under this

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(a) It
(a) i fat ra atl for any person to cut, uproot, or destroy any tree standing on any forest,
‘and, forest reserve or watershed for the purpose of producing raw wood charcoal,

(b) It shall be unlawful to transport v it
cree sport raw wood for the purpose of producing and/or selling

(c) It shall be unlawful to sell or offer to sell raw wood charcoal,

In case of trees in private lands, a license to cut, uproot, destroy any tree shall be necessary. The
Purpose for the removal of the tree shall be indicated in the application before the DENR.
Provided that, the timber resulting from the cutting, uprooting, or destruction of the tree shall
not be used to cause the production of raw wood charcoal.

Section 6. Duty of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. — The DENR
shall undertake the responsibility to educate the public and promote the use of sustainable charcoal
options, such as, but not limited to banana skin, maize, sugarcane, and coconut. The DENR shall
identify key areas where raw wood charcoal production is extensive, and prioritize information
dissemination and training in said areas.

Section 7. __ Penalties. Any person who willfully or knowingly does or who shall aid, permit,
or cause to be done any of the acts declared to be unlawful in Section 5 of this Act, or who violates
the provisions thereof, or of any order issued thereunder, or aids, permits, or causes such violation
shall, upon conviction thereof, be penalized with the imprisonment of not less six (6) months but
not more than one (1) one year, and a fine of not less than two hundred thousand pesos
(200,000.00). Provided that, if the production, transportation, and sale involve a tree belonging
to an endangered species as identified by the DENR, the fine shall not be less than five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00).

Section 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or amended accordingly.

Section 10. _ Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of gencral circulation.

Approved,

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