Question & AnswerQ&A (OP Executive Order No. 23)
The main purpose is to declare a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests and to create the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to enforce this moratorium and combat illegal logging activities.
Forest Land includes public forest, permanent forest or forest reserves, and forest reservations.
They are forests composed of indigenous trees that were not planted by man.
An IFMA is a production sharing contract between the DENR and a qualified applicant granting exclusive rights to develop, manage, protect, and utilize a specified forest land area for a specific period based on sustainable development principles and an approved Comprehensive Development and Management Plan (CDMP).
Yes, exceptions include clearing of road right-of-way by DPWH, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment, and tree cutting pursuant to cultural practices under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, subject to DENR guidelines.
The DENR shall review and immediately terminate or cancel agreements with parties who have violated their terms, engaged in illegal logging, or abused forest laws at least twice.
The Task Force is mandated to lead the anti-illegal logging campaign, ensure implementation of the executive order, and assist the DENR in enforcing other environmental laws.
It is composed of the DENR Secretary as Chairman, and members include the Secretaries of the DILG, Department of National Defense, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, or their authorized representatives.
Such plants shall be closed and not allowed to operate if they cannot present proof of legally cut logs' sustainable sources for at least five years within one month from the EO's effectivity.
The National Greening Program (NGP), a DA-DENR-DAR Convergence Initiative focused on poverty reduction, food security, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Article XII, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.
The Department of Education shall be given priority in the use of all confiscated logs.
The Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force shall immediately formulate the guidelines for implementing the policies set forth in this Executive Order upon its formation.