Republic of the Philippines Z
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ee
Quezon City =,

19" Congress
First Regular Session

2643

HOUSE BIILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since time immemorial, trees have furnished us with two of life's essentials, food and
oxygen. Today, trees and forests play a major role in maintaining the balance and stability of
the environment. They absorb and store much of the carbon dioxide that otherwise would be
contributing to climate change. Forest ecosystems are homes to a wide range of plants,
animals, microorganisms and other species.

Unfortunately, the Philippines today is currently facing two main environmental issues
— deforestation and forest degradation. One of the key drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation in the Philippines is forest products extraction. In a study conducted by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2013, logging whether legal or illegal
was identified as a direct driver of deforestation and forest degradation

legal logging is the harvesting of wood in violation of national laws, rules and
regulations such as harvesting timber from protected areas. This bill seeks to curb illegal
logging by promoting Tree Farming, which is defined under this Act as a systematic program
of conservation and reforestation which at the same time ensures the continuous and
sustainable commercial production of timber. Through this Tree Farming Act, selected
individuals — with preference to those with agriculture related course/s, and cooperatives are
granted the right to use, occupy, possess and manage bare timber lands for the exclusive
commercial production of Timber. Tree farming seeks not only to restore deforested
landscapes but also to provide additional livelihood.

Therefore, premises considered, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

a

MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19! Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BIILL NO. 2649

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado

AN ACT MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO
IDENTIFY AND DEVOTE BARE TIMBER LANDS TO BE UTILIZED
FOR TREE FARMING

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 the “Tree Farming Act of 2022”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. It is scientifically recognized that trees play a crucial
role in maintaining the well-being and stability of the environment. It is for this reason that it
is necessary for the State to undertake preventive measures to arrest widespread
deforestation and forest degradation by curbing one of its main causes which is illegal

logging.

Towards this end, it is hereby mandated that all provinces, cities and municipalities
with their component barangays shall be required to identify and allocate bare timber lands
located within their jurisdiction, which right of use occupation, possession and management
for the commercial production of timber shall be granted to selected private individuals — with
preference to those with agriculture related course/s or cooperatives for the exclusive
production of commercial timber.

Section 3. Definition of Terms — as used in this Act

1. Bare timber land refers to those lands of the public domain classified as timber lands
but presently are not covered with timber trees.


2. Grantees shall refer to those private individuals — with preference to those with
agriculture related course/s or cooperatives, which shall be granted the right to use,
occupy possess and manage bare timber lands for the exclusive production of timber.
Section 4. Creation of Tree Farming Cooperatives/Association. — In implementing the

intents of this Act, there shall be created in every province, city and municipality in the country
‘Tree Farming Cooperatives/Associations, the composition of which shall come from the local
farmers in coordination with the Local Environment and Natural Resources. The members
shall preferably, be composed of field officers of various government agencies, based in the
locality, but not limited to the following:

a) Local Sanggunian;

b) Local Environment and Natural Resources Office;

c) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

4d) Bureau of Plant Industry (BP1);

€) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

f) Department of Agriculture (DA);

g) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);

h) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);

i) Department of Tourism (DOT);

) Civic organizations;

k) Sangguniang Kabataan (SK); and

}) Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)

Section 5. Funding. - The local Sanggunian shall provide for the allocation of

resources pertinent to the implementation of this Act at their respective loca! government

Section 6. Supply and Distribution of Seedlings. ~ The BPI shall supply and distribute
the tree seedlings to the Tree Farming Committee for distribution to the grantees.

Section 7. Areas Covered by the Tree Farming Act -

The tree farming activities shall be done in any of the following areas:
a.) Public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the school premises;

b,) Idle or vacant public lands;


.) Public parks in urban and rural areas; and
d.) Private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner thereof.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DILG, in coordination with the
LGUs, the DENR and the DA shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively
implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or any part thereof be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, proclamations,
executive orders or regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions and/or
purposes of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general publication.

Approved,