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 ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to establish a community forest in Barangays Sooc, 
Cotmon, Pagatpatan in Bato, Camarines Sur.     
A community forest is a tract of forest land set aside by the Secretary of DENR for the 
use of the residents or municipality/barangay from which said residents may plant, re-
plant, collect and remove forest products for their personal use in accordance with 
existing laws and regulations.  
Community forestry projects are geared towards the involvement of local communities 
for better management, regulation and control. It promotes sustainability and 
empowerment of local communities who have better knowledge of the terrain and are 
in a better position to respond to emergencies such as poaching and encroachment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
July 7, 2022
1:12 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 ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING AND DETERMINING A COMMUNITY FOREST IN BARANGAYS 
SOOC, COTMON, PAGATPATAN IN BATO, CAMARINES SUR, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a community forest in Barangays Sooc, 
Cotmon, Pagatpatan in Bato, Camarines Sur.     
The DENR shall determine the size and specific forest limits of the established 
community forest within the barangay concerned. 
Each established community forest shall be identified in accordance with a 
Forest Land Use Plan, consistent with city’s land use plan, and all existing and related 
plans, programs and project of the city and national government.  
SECTION 2. The DENR shall, within two (2) years after the establishment and 
determination of the community forest, transfer the management of the same to the 
local government unit (LGU) concerned, under the direct supervision of the City Local 
Environment and Natural Resources Office, through a memorandum of agreement. It 
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shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on 
the management, utilization and conservation of the community forest. 
 
The DENR, shall in coordination with the concerned LGU, undertake a forest 
resource inventory and determine the sustainable level of forest resource utilization 
and provide the LGU technical assistance in all facets of forest management planning. 
To ensure sustainability of the community forests, the management plan shall include 
the necessary replanting activities by the communities and the LGUs. 
 
SECTION 3. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall include in the 
Department’s program the establishment of the community forest in Barangays Sooc, 
Cotmon, Pagatpatan in Bato, Camarines Sur, the funding of which shall be include in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
The local government unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available 
local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the management, utilization and 
conservation of the community forest. 
 
SECTION 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary shall issue the rules and 
regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,