QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 3701)
RA 3701 discourages the destruction of forests and amends Section 2751 of the Revised Administrative Code.
It is unlawful, without written permission from the Director of Forestry (or duly authorized representative), willfully to enter upon and occupy public forests/timberlands/communal forests/communal pasture/forest reserves; make kaingin therein; destroy such forests or parts thereof; cause damage to timber stand and forest products/growth; or assist/abet others in doing so.
Yes. It penalizes any person negligently permitting a fire set on his own premises to be communicated with destructive results to the public forests described.
Without the written permission of the Director of Forestry or his duly authorized representative.
It provides different penalty schemes: (a) proclaimed timberland/communal forest/communal pasture: fine six times regular government charges plus imprisonment 6 months to 1 year; (b) forest reserve: fine eight times plus imprisonment 6 months to 1 year 6 months; (c) other public forests: fine equivalent to four times plus imprisonment 3 months to 6 months.
The court shall order (1) eviction of the offender from the land and (2) forfeiture to the Government of any construction or improvement made thereon.
In all cases, if the area is reforested or under reforestation, the court shall sentence the accused to pay the government four times the actual damages sustained, determined by the value of plantings and improvements destroyed and the detriment to the land and vegetation.
No person who has occupied any portion of these forests in good faith for more than five years prior to June 8, 1939 shall be subject to the penalty prescribed.
The same may be disposed of in favor of the actual occupant or occupants under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 (as referenced by the law).
Whenever a land of the public domain is burned or the timber therein cut or destroyed without license or permit, the actual occupant shall be presumed to have burned or cut or destroyed its timber.
Any person who occupies the area for residential purposes, cultivates the land, makes improvements, or derives profits from the land in any manner whatsoever.
Yes. Any person who employs or induces another to commit acts in violation of the section shall likewise be punished.
They shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred pesos, or imprisonment of not less than one month nor more than six months, or both (in the court’s discretion), and shall automatically be dismissed from the service.
Representatives/agents/employees must report and/or prosecute criminally persons who destroy trees and other forest products within their jurisdiction; failure triggers the above penalties.
It took effect upon its approval; it was approved on June 22, 1963.