Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 705)
The official title is the "Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines."
The State adopts policies that orient multiple uses of forest lands to national development, systematize and hasten land classification and survey, encourage and rationalize establishment of wood-processing plants, and emphasize protection, development, and rehabilitation of forest lands for their continuity in productive condition.
Public forest refers to lands of the public domain not yet classified for forest purposes, while permanent forest or forest reserves are those public domain lands classified and determined to be needed for forest purposes.
The Bureau of Forest Development, which was created by merging the Bureau of Forestry, the Reforestation Administration, the Southern Cebu Reforestation Development Project, and the Parks and Wildlife Office.
They are appointed by the President of the Philippines. The appointees must be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 30 years old, hold at least a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or its equivalent, and be registered foresters.
The maximum period is 25 years, renewable for another period not exceeding 25 years to utilize all remaining commercial timber.
The offender is guilty of qualified theft, subject to penalties under Articles 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code, forfeiture of timber or products and tools used, cancellation of licenses, and in case of partnership or corporation, liable officers may be deported if aliens.
Lands with slopes of 18% or more shall not be classified as alienable and disposable; forest lands with slopes of 50% or more shall not be classified as grazing lands. Certain lands already declared alienable and disposable but with slopes over 18% shall be reverted to forest land classification.
The Code emphasizes multiple-use, sustained-yield management, selective logging for dipterocarp forests, seed tree system for pine forests, and protection, rehabilitation, and development measures to maintain forest productivity.
Forest officers may arrest without warrant, seize and confiscate illegal timber, tools, and equipment, and file complaints within six hours. The Director may deputize other government agencies and qualified persons for forest protection enforcement.