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‘Republic of the Philippines / 3 RECEIVED
Bouse of Representatives I= yy
Queson Cite
17" Congress

1" Regular Session

House Bin 4208

Introduced by HON. BAYANI F. FERNANDO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to authorize the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) to cut, ball, transfer dispose or plant trees when implementing
National and Local Infrastructure Projects. This measure automatically grants
DPWH an exemption from securing tree-cutting, earth-balling, disposal,
planting or transfer permit from the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, the Forest Management Bureau, and their local counterparts such as
the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the
Local Government Unit concerned for this purpose.

Executive Order No. 23 imposed a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of
timber in natural and residual forests, it also prohibits the DENR from
issuing/renewing cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide
except for clearing of road right of way by the DPWH. This measure proposes
to take the DPWH out of the equation altogether by authorizing it to do its own
cutting, balling, disposing, transferring or planting of trees when doing
construction work on any existing or new roadway or site.

‘The main consideration in the design of roadways is safety for the motorist and
the public as well as fast travel speed. This is the sole province of the road
design engineer, who has the knowledge and the responsibility in ensuring that
this primary design feature is followed. He is the final authority in this respect,
all other trades only come after. Trees, after all, are considered optional
components of the road and may be hazard and obstruction that can impede the
movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Travel speed is a factor in fuel economy.
With optimum speed, there is less harmful emission from vehicles which can
harm the environment.


Securing this tree-cutting/earth-balling/transfer/disposal/planting permit from
the DENR only delays the implementation of DPWH projects. Not to mention
that said permit and the attached conditions of the permit adds to the cost of
implementation.

It has been the thrust of the Duterte administration to continue, if not improve,
our country’s economic gains by pouring hundreds of billions of pesos into
infrastructure projects as a way of pump-priming the economy. Authorizing the
DPWH to cut/ball/transfer/dispose/plant trees on its own will expedite this
process.

a
Thus, the passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

2
—— ora FERNANDO

Y



Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queso City

17" Congress

1° Regular Session

House Bill 4208

Introduced by HON. BAYANI F. FERNANDO

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) TO CUT, BALL, TRANSFER, DISPOSE OR
PLANT TREES WHEN IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL OR LOCAL
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Section 1. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby granted the
authority to cut, ball, dispose, transfer or plant trees when implementing National and Local
Infrastructure Projects, such as, but not limited to, clearing of road right of way and site
clearing, development or preparation.

Section 2. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby granted
exemption from securing tree cutting / earth-balling / transfer / disposal / planting permits
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its
instrumentalities such as the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
(PENRO), the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Forest
Management Bureau (FMB) and the Local Government Unit concerned.

Section 3. All laws, decrees, orders, issuance, rules and_ regulations inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Section 3. Effectivity. ~ This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved.