Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 59 s. 1993)
The basic policy is to ensure sustainable forest resource development by effectively monitoring the movement of timber and forest products from their source without unnecessarily impeding their transport, using transport documents to prevent unauthorized movement and to assist policy formulation.
A CTO is required for transport of logs including flitches from natural forests or forest plantations, issued by the CENRO with jurisdiction over the origin area, except when logs are transported within the licensee's concession area accompanied by a delivery receipt.
A Certificate of Non-Timber Forest Products Origin (CNFPO) issued by the CENRO concerned, supported by the shipper's tally sheet.
Such products are considered illegal, subject to confiscation in favor of the government and disposal as per regulations. Forest officers issuing defective certificates face immediate suspension and other penalties under Civil Service laws.
A certificate with erasures or tampering of vital information like number of pieces, species, volume, place of loading, conveyance, date of transport, source, or shipper/owner/consignee details.
Exemptions include imported logs and lumber trans-shipped domestically with a Certificate of Verification; products from private or tax-declared alienable lands with CENRO certification and tax receipt; logs transported from cutting area to the licensee's plants with delivery receipt; lumber transported within a province or GMA with sales invoice/delivery receipt; finished or semi-finished wood and non-wood forest products with sales invoices or delivery receipts.
For land transport, valid for 15 days from issuance; for domestic water transport, valid for 30 days or until discharge at destination, whichever is first.
Number of pieces/volume; date of transport/loading; point of loading; mode of transport and CTA; name and address of consignee; and point of destination.
A joint declaration by the shipper and conveyance owner acknowledging awareness of forestry document requirements and the risk of forfeiture/confiscation if unauthorized transport occurs.