QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10690)
The State policy is to develop and nurture competent, ethical, globally competitive and well-rounded professional foresters through transparent and credible licensure exams, a system of registration and self-regulation, and continuing education. Its objectives include governing licensure/examination, supervision and regulation of forestry practice, curriculum development, mandatory CPD, and integration of the forestry profession.
“Forestry” refers to the art, science, practice, and business of sustainable management of forest and forestland resources for producing goods/services and enhancing benefits and values for present and future generations. A “Professional forester” is a registered and licensed natural person holding a valid certificate of registration and valid professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters (PRB) and the PRC pursuant to the Act.
It includes: classification/subclassification of lands; forest/timber inventory and surveys; planning/implementing harvesting operations and timber improvement; scaling/grading and manifesting taxes on logs and forest products; designs for processing plants; wood treatment; inspection of harvesting/processing plants; certification/authentication and technical reports for dealers/sawmill operators; planning forestry nurseries and reforestation/afforestation/tree plantation/agroforestry; planning forest parks/wilderness/coastal/protected areas; forest protection and conservation measures; environmental risk scoping and EIA; feasibility studies; experiments/research/training/extension and teaching; government services where forestry expertise is essential; and forestry services required by LGUs, corporations, NGOs, and foreign-assisted projects (subject to possible revision by the Board).
It is created as a collegial body under PRC administrative supervision and control. It consists of a Chairperson and two (2) members appointed by the President from lists of recommendees submitted by the PRC, where each position has five (5) nominees endorsed by the APO, and the PRC provides a list of three (3) recommendees per position.
He/she must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident; of good moral character; not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude; a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferably with Masteral/Doctorate); a registered forester with valid registration and ID and at least ten (10) years practice; a member in good standing of the APO; not be faculty/staff/reviewer or have direct/indirect pecuniary interest in a school offering regular/review forestry courses; and not be an officer or trustee of the APO.
Members serve three (3) years and may be reappointed for another three (3) years immediately after expiry, but not more than two (2) terms or not more than six (6) years. The first Board has staggered terms: Chairperson for three (3) years, first member for two (2) years, and second member for one (1) year. An appointee to a vacancy serves only the unexpired portion.
The Board regulates practice, issues codes/technical standards, registers professionals, monitors practice via inspections, and conducts quality assurance with CHED/PRC agreements. For cases: it can hear/investigate violations, issue summons/subpoenas, delegate technical-only hearings to at least one Board member assisted by PRC legal/hearing officers, decide administrative cases with penalties (including cancellation of exam papers, suspension/revocation of certificates), conduct summary proceedings for minor violations with finality after 15 days if unappealed, and endorse criminal violations to the Prosecution Office.
Philippine citizenship (or foreign citizenship with reciprocity); good moral character; a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry/Forest Products Engineering/Agroforestry from CHED-recognized and duly accredited school, or specified alternative degree requirements; and no conviction for an offense involving moral turpitude.
Forest Ecosystem; Forest Policy and Governance; Forest Engineering and Utilization; and Forest Resource Management. The Board may revise/exclude/add subjects with PRC approval.
A candidate must obtain a general or weighted average rating of at least 75% to pass.
The Board shall not register successful examinees who are convicted of moral turpitude; found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct; summarily adjudged guilty for violation of general instructions to examinees; or declared of unsound mind by a court. In refusal, the Board must issue a written statement of reasons and file a copy in its records.
Examples include: violation of RA 10690/IRR/codes/policies/technical standards; fraud in obtaining registration/permit; gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting in death/injury/damage; refusal to remain a member in good standing of the APO; failure to pay registration fees for three (3) consecutive years; aiding/abetting illegal practice by allowing another to use one’s credentials; illegally practicing during suspension; proven drug/alcohol addiction impairing practice or unsound mind; and noncompliance with CPD requirement (unless exempted).
The Board must issue rules within six (6) months. Failure to comply results in automatic suspension of professional registration until the practitioner completes the required education units.
Perpetual disqualification applies to acts such as practicing without valid registration/ID/permit; using another’s seal/certificate/ID/permit; abetting illegal practice by an unregistered/unauthorized person; securing registration/permit through false information or fraud; impersonation; or violating any provision of the Act or its IRR.
(a) Sec. 27: No foreigner may take the exam, register, receive a certificate/ID, or practice unless the foreign country/state requirements are substantially the same and allow Philippine citizens similar rights. (b) Sec. 28: The Board may issue temporary/special permits (approved by PRC) to internationally known foreign foresters/experts urgently needed due to lack/inadequacy of local specialists, or to foreign licensed foresters employed as exchange professors, valid for not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, specifying branch/specialty and place of practice.
Sec. 24: Foresters registered at the time of effectivity are deemed automatically registered under the Act; they must renew registration henceforth. Their certificates/IDs/permits in good standing have the same force as if issued after effectivity. Sec. 42: RA 6239 is repealed, and inconsistent issuances are repealed/modified accordingly.