Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10690)
The official title is "The Forestry Profession Act."
The State recognizes the importance of professional foresters in nation building and development, aiming to develop competent, ethical, globally competitive foresters through licensure examinations, registration, self-regulation, and continuing education.
The objectives include governing the examination, registration, licensure, supervision, control, and regulation of forestry practice; developing forestry education curriculum; enhancing professional competence through CPD; and integrating the forestry profession.
'Forestry' is defined as the art, science, practice, and business of sustainable management of forest and forestland resources for goods and services. 'Professional Forester' refers to a registered and licensed individual holding a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card under the Act.
It includes activities such as classification and inventory of forestlands, planning harvesting operations, forest protection, conducting feasibility studies, research and teaching forestry, government forestry services, and forestry activities by private and local government units.
The Board consists of a Chairperson and two members appointed by the President from a list submitted by the PRC, based on nominees endorsed by the Accredited Professional Organization.
Members must be natural-born Filipino citizens, of good moral character, with no conviction involving moral turpitude, hold a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferably with a Masteral or Doctorate), be registered foresters with at least 10 years practice, members in good standing of the APO, and not have conflicts of interest involving forestry schools or the APO leadership.
Grounds include gross neglect, incompetence, dishonesty, violation of the Act or other laws like the Anti-Graft Act, and manipulation of licensure examination results or tampering of grades.
Applicants for registration to practice forestry are required to pass the licensure examination, except in cases specifically allowed under the Act.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or from countries with reciprocity, of good moral character, a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Forest Products Engineering, or Agroforestry from a CHED-recognized institution, and have no conviction involving moral turpitude.
Subjects include Forest Ecosystem, Forest Policy and Governance, Forest Engineering and Utilization, and Forest Resource Management.
A candidate must obtain a general or weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) to pass.
The Board can revoke or suspend certificates of registration, cancel temporary or special permits, issue administrative sanctions, and conduct hearings and investigations.
Such acts lead to perpetual disqualification from practicing forestry under the Penal Clause of the Act.
Foreigners can practice only if there is reciprocity with their countries and they secure a temporary or special permit issued by the Board and PRC under specified conditions.
Yes, all registered foresters are integrated into one national organization, the APO, accredited by the Board and PRC, and they enjoy benefits upon payment of fees.
They are deemed automatically registered under this Act and must comply with its requirements, including renewal and continuing professional development.
Registered foresters must obtain and use an official seal, stamp documents they prepared or supervised, and indicate certificate numbers and APO membership details on all professional documents.
The Board must issue rules on mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) within six months of the Act's passage, with non-compliance resulting in suspension until completion.