FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Loren Legard.a 
This bill seeks to implement an important Constitutional provision found in 
"The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine by laro the specific limits of 
forest lands and national parks, marlcing clearly their boundaries on the grumd. 
Thereafter, such forest lands and national pavks shall be consented and may not be 
increased nor diminished, except by lau). The Congress shall provide, for such 
period as it may determine measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and 
2c.mtershed areas." 
Section 4, Article XI1 of the Philippine Constitution which states that - 
Data ,from the Department of Envirorunent and Natural Resources reveal that 
from year 2000 to mid 2007, there are 52 provinces where there are efforts to delineate 
and establish permanent forestland boundaries, for a total of 54,333 kilometers of forest 
land. These povinces include: . Benguek, , Apayao, Ifugao, La Union, Ilocos Norte, 
Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, ~ l h c a n ,  Zanibales; Bataan, 
Tarlac, Pampanga, Aurora, Laguna, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occid.enta1 Mindoro, 
Marinduque, Romblon, Catanduanes, Albay, Carnarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, 
Iloilo, Guimaras, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, 
Eastern Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Note, Ztknboanga Sibugay, 
Cainiguin, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao del N~orte, South Chtabato, Sultan Icudarat, 
Cotabato, Sarangani, Surigao del.Norte, Agiisan del Sur and Agusan del Norte. Of 
these, only 18 provinces have completed relocation survey. 
Activities in delineation include ,the preparation of base map and conduct of 
survey, then the monumenting, which coGld be on minor or major rnonunients, the 
planting of the monuments, and the post survey, including the digitization of final map. 
According to the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, the cost of putting up minor 
corners amount to P12,500 while that for major concerns amount to P18,OOO. With the 
entire 30 million hectares of public land, of which 15 million hectares are estimated to 
account for forestlands, and of which 76,000 kilometers are forestland boundaries that 
are for demarcation, the task 1ooks.Herculean. 
But considering the adverse comequences of the lack, of public knowledge on 
what constitutes the permanent forest h i t s  ;of our country to the growth and 
development of our riation in terms of environmenial degradation and unsustainable 
development, the delineation of the permanent fsrest liirrits i s  an important investment 
1 


and a worthy endeavor not ody for the present but more importantly, for future 
generations. 
At present, government relies only on the land classification maps and Cadastral 
survey maps of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the 
initiatives of local government units like Puerto Princesa in identifying the forestlands 
and agricultural lands. However, despite these efforts, unscrupulous individuals are 
not prevented from defying the integrity of .:%lese demarcated boundaries. Moreover, in 
the absence of clear demarcation on the  ground^ by concrete monuments and other 
visible signs, majority oi those who live within the forestlands are not even aware that 
they are vio1atin.g a law that declares that clearing and farming in forestlands as 
criminal acts. Without the boundaries, people utilize our forest lands and the resources 
in it in an unsustainable and destructive manner. 
With a demarcated and properly identified forestlands, the national government 
can better plan the utilization of the natural resources of the country, and local 
government units would be better equipped and encouraged to initiate and irbplement 
development projects and programs with due regard to the preservation and protection 
of the integrity of the demarcated forest lands. 
This proposed measure designates as permanent forestlands the following: (a) 
all lands of the public domain already classified as forestland per existing land 
classification maps issued by the DENR, (b) all permanent forest reserves proclaimed as 
such by the President or declared by Congress through law, and (c) such arqas within 
the unclassified lands of the public domain which may hereafter be classified as 
forestland by DENR. The permanent fores!iands shall be further sub-classifikd by the 
DENR, after due consultation with the local government units (LGUs), concerned 
communities, and other stakeholders into: (a) protection forests and (b) production 
forests. 
Under this proposal, The DENR shall undertake the actual ground stirvey and 
verification of the specific forest limits using as basis all existing Land Classification 
(LC) maps, the latest forest cover data of the National Mapping and Resource 
Information Authority (NAMR1A)'from its satellite imagery interpretations, $nd other 
available and reliable sources of information. 
Under this bill, the permanent forest line shall be established and clearly marked 
on the ground by concrete monuments at certain fixed distances, visible cut lines, 
signboards, and uniformly-spaced distinctive trees maintained at all times between the 
concrete monuments. 
The delineation of the permanent forest line is essential for the establidhment of 
sustainable development pian for both agricultural and forest lands. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of the bill is earrtestly recommended. 
senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SPECIFIC FOREST LIMITS OF 
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known and cited as the "Fimal Forest 
Limits Act of 2007." 
SECTION 
2. Declaration of Policy.- It is policy of the State to conserve, protect, and 
develop the forest resources of the country in order to attain ecological balance, 
preserve valuable ecosystems, prevent environmental degradation, and promote 
sustainable development for the present and succeeding generations. To achieve these 
ends, Section 4, Article XI1 of the 1,987 Constitution mandates Congress to determine by 
law the specific limits of forestlands and national parks, marking clearly their 
boundaries on the ground. 
SECTION 3. 
Wlzat Constitutes the Permanent Forestlands.- 
The permanent 
forestlands shall be as follows: (a) all lands of the public domain already clissified as 
forestland per existing land classification maps issued by the DENR, (b) all permanent 
forest reserves proclaimed as such by the President or declared by Congresk through 
law, and (c) such areas within the unclassified lands of the public domain which may 
hereafter be classified as forestland by the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) pursuant to this Act. 
SECTION 
4. Guidelines f o ~  Ground Delfneatiox of tJze Specific Forest Limits.- 
Immediately upon the effectivit,y of this Act, the DENR shall undertake the actual 
ground survey and verification of the specific forest limits using as basis ail existing 
Land Classification (LC) mays, the latest forest covex data of the Natioml Maiping and 
Resource lnforination Authority (NAMHA) from its satellite imagery interpretations, 
and other available and reliable SoLIrces of jnforination. 
SECTION 
5. Boundaries lo b t  C!enuly Mn&ed.- The permanent forest line shall be 
established a d  clearly marked on tlir ground by concrete monuments at certain fixed 
distances, visible cut lines, signboards, and uniformly-spaced distinctive trees 
maintained at all times between the concrete monuments. 
3 


SEcrIOX 6. Pernranency .J" the Speclj'ic Foresf limits.- 'The permanent forestlands 
established pursuant to this Act shall not be'diminished nor reduced except by an Act 
of Congress. The DENR, in coordination with all agencies and branches of the 
government, shall see to it that the forest cover and vegetation therein shall be 
protected, preserved, and enhanced. 
SECTION 7. Snbclassi)?cation of the Permanent Forestlands.- 
The permanent 
forestlands shall be further subclassified as follows: (a) protection forests' and (b) 
production forests. After due consultation with the local government units (LGUs), 
concerned communities, and ether stakeholders, the DENR shall undettake the 
subclassification of the permanent forestlands. 
Protection forests shall be managed in accordance with the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 
(NIPAS Act). 
Production forests shall be sustainably developed for natural regeneration, 
reforestation, productivity, and wealth creation subject to regulated harvesting. 
SECTION 
8. Recognition of the Rights of LIpland Dwellers.- In the ground delineation 
of the permanent forest limits, the occupation by indigenous cultural communities and 
other upland dwellers shall be recognized and respected consistent with the provisions 
of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local. Government Code of 1991 and Republit Act No. 
8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 3 997. 
SECTION 
9. Accessibility of Record to the Pn6lic.- All records and information 
pertaining to the specific forest limits delineated pursuant to this Act shall be made 
available to all local government units (LGUs), other government agencies, and to the 
general public.' 
SECTION 
10. Irnplementing Rules and Regulations.- Within three (3) months from 
the effectivity 
_ _  of this Act, the: DENR Secretary shall issue the corresponding 
Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 
11. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting System- To attain the objectives 
of this Act, a field monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system shall be adopted by the 
DENR Secretary on the extent and state of the natural forests, furnishing Congress a 
copy of the report every &(ti) months through the Congressional Oversight committee 
created in Section 12 hereof. 
SECTION 
12. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Delineation of the Permanent 
Forest Limits.- There is hereby created a Cong-ressional Oversight Committee to oversee 
the implementation of this Act, composed of seven. (7) members from tke Senate 
Committee on 8nvironment and Natural Resources and seven (7) members from the 
House of Representatives Coilunittee on Natural R-esources. 
The secretariat of the oversight committee shall be drawn from the existing 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall 
be taken from the appropriations of both the House of Representatives and the, Senate. 
SECTION" 13. Appropriafions.- The Secretary of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources shall include in the Departnienfs program the implemeqtation of 
this Act, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's 


appropriations of the Department and thereafter included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
Funds for the implementation of tht; provisions of this Act shall be supplemented 
also from any available official. development assistance (ODA) and from joik projects 
between agencies of the Philippines and an assisting country. 
LocaI government units may also allocate counterpart funds to be taken from 
their internal revenue allotment (IRA) and other LGU income for the delineation of the 
forest limits within their respective territorial jurisdictions. 
SECTION 14. Separability Clause.- If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions not affected, thereby. 
SECTION 
15. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, ,executive 
order, rules and regulations, and other issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 16. 
Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Oficial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulatioh. 
Approved,