Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGR!
First Regular Session

House Bill Nor 9.184

Introduced by Congresswoman MARIA VIDA ESPINOSA BRAVO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

This Bill seeks to set a policy direction in the formulation of programs for the
protection and sustainable management of our forests. This Bill further recognizes that
environmental concerns, climate change, and disaster risk reduction and management
must be incorporated in all country’s plans, policies and programs, from as early as
conceptualization stage until actual implementation, to ensure the country’s
sustainable development.

It is the State policy to ensure and protect the right of the people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Furthermore,
Congress shall provide, for such period as it may determine, measures fo prohibit
logging in endangered forests and watershed areas.

Philippine forests are among the most diverse in the world and considered as
one of the world’s richest source of plant and animal species but it is also considered
as one of the most threatened. Our forests covers have been estimated to have been
reduced to 18.3% and is estimated to reducing by 2% every year, The major causes
of loss to our forests are attributed to commercial and illegal, forest conversion,
pollution growth, migration and fuel wood harvesting,

Forests have long provided for the basic needs of our people. It has been the
source of food, livelihood and shelter for many generations that have come before us.
Forests serve as the shelter to our highly diverse wildlife and help r
preventing floods.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

IA VIDA ESPINOSA BRAVO.
Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPERESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 9184

Introduced by Congresswoman MARIA VIDA ESPINOSA BRAVO,

AN ACT
IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN TICAO AND BURIAS ISLAND, PROVICE OI
MASBATE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOS!

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

SECTION | Declaration of Policy- It is the policy of the State to
ensure and protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Congress may provide for such period as it
may determine, measure to prohibit logging in endangered forests and watershed
areas,

icao and Burias Islands-
iction of Ticao and Burias

SECTION 2. Imposition of Logging Ban in
A logging ban is hereby imposed within the territorial juris
Islands, Province of Masbate.

‘TION 3. Exemption from the Logging Ban- The following shall
be exempted from the logging ban:

a.) Trees affected during the road construction and similar other projects
approved by the Government and only for basic services such as, but not
limited to energy and power development, public works or water uti
any harvesting or cutting of tree species shall comply with all pertinent
forestry and environmental laws such as, but not limited to the Presidential
Decree No. 705, otherwise known as the “Revised Forestry Code of the
Philippines”, as amended; Presidential Decree No. 1586, otherwise known
as “Environmental Impact Statement System” and other applicable rules
and regulations

b,) Planted trees within the forestlands established and developed by tenurial
instrument holders in accordance with the approved plans;



c.) Trees necessary for extraction as means of silvicultural treatment;

d.) Wood sources necessary for Government infrastructure project in
predetermined areas, preferably a communal forest;

e.) Planted trees within private lands;

SECTION 3. Zoning-Strict Protection Zone and Multi-Use Zone shall
be established within the area of primary consideration to its protection and
conservation, Zoning shall also take into account the tenurial and livelihood concerns
of the communities to ensure the efficient protection of habitats, fragile ecosystems
and unique areas

‘The establishment and management of zones must involve the community
concerned by undertaking such steps as dialogues, consultations. Zones shall be
demareated on the ground and indicated on maps with the participation of
communities, LLGU?s and other stakeholders,

SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts—The following are prohibited acts
within the Strict Protection Zones with their respective penalties:

4.) Fine of not less than (P250,000.00) Two Hundred Fifly Thousand Pesos to
not more than (P750,000.00) Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos and
imprisonment of not less than (6) six years to (1) one day to not more than
(8) eight years shall be imposed upon any person who:

1.) Cuts, gathers, collects, removes or otherwise possesses timber or other
forest produets within the Strict Protection Zones without prior permit
DENR permit; Provided, such permit can only be given for scientific
purposes and necessary for protected area management; Provided,
further, that no permit shall issue for timber or other forest products
within the Strict Protection Zones.

ingages in Kaingin/Clearing or otherwise intentionally or negligently

uses a forest fire inside the Strict Protection Zones.

b,) Fine of not less than (P150,000.00) One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos to
not more than (PS00,000.00) Five Hundred ‘Thousand Pesos and
imprisonment of not less than (2) years to one day to not more than (6) six
years shall be imposed upon any person who:

1.) Construct or maintains any kind of road, structure, fence or enclosure
without prior DENR permit.

2.) Obstruets or hinders the enforcement of this Act and its pertinent rules
and regulations.


c.) Fine of not less than (P100,000.00) One Hundred Thousand Pesos to not
more than (P300,000.00) Three Hundred Thousand Pesos or imprisonment
of not less than (1) one year to (1) one day to not more than (2) two years
or both shall be imposed upon any person who:

1.) Alters or removes, destroys or deface boundaries, marks or signs within
the Strict Protection Zones.

d.) Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding, the commission of any
unlawful act under Section 4 shall carry a penalty of imprisonment of not
less than (8) eight years and (1) one day to not more than (12) twelve years
and a fine of not less than (P750,000,00) Five Hundred Thousand Pesos to
not more than (P1,000,000.00) One Million Pesos whenever the timber
involved is under a Protected Category. Any citizen may institute the
necessary charge against an offender for commission of acts enumerated

“TIONS. Appropriations.-In order to carry out the purposes of
an annual appropriation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR).

TION 6, Separability Clause-If any part or section of this Act is
declared unconstitutional such declaration shall not affect in any manner the other
parts or sections hereof.

ION 7. Repealing Clause-All laws, proclamations,’ rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modifies accordingly.

SECTION 8 _Effectivity Clause-This Act shall take effect (15) fifteen
days after its publication in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,