Law Summary

Section 1: Creation of the Reforestation Administration

• Legal Principle/Provision: Establishes a separate government agency named the Reforestation Administration within the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which will assume the functions of the Reclamation and Reforestation Division of the Bureau of Forestry.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Reforestation Administration" refers to the newly created agency.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: None specified in this section.
• Relevant Timeframes: Effective upon approval of the Act.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • New agency to take over existing reforestation functions.
  • Agency falls under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Section 2: Management of Reforestation Funds

• Legal Principle/Provision: Mandates that all reforestation funds collected under Republic Act Numbered One hundred fifteen be allocated to the Reforestation Administration for reforestation purposes, with expenditures subject to the Secretary’s approval.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Reforestation funds" refers to the financial resources designated for reforestation activities.
  • "Permanent forest reserves" are areas designated as protected following reforestation efforts.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • Funds must be used exclusively for reforestation and require approval by the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Relevant Timeframes: None specified in this section.
• Penalties/Liabilities: Misuse of funds could lead to penalties as dictated by other laws.
• Bullet Points:
  • Funds are exclusively for reforestation purposes.
  • Areas reforested are designated as permanent forest reserves.

Section 3: Declaration of Reforested Areas

• Legal Principle/Provision: Empowers the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, based on the Administrator's recommendations, to declare areas for reforestation and to ensure these areas are not designated as agricultural lands post-reforestation.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Areas to be reforested" refers to land selected for reforestation.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: Reforested areas remain under Reforestation Administration's control.
• Relevant Timeframes: None specified in this section.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • Declaration of areas for reforestation is the responsibility of the Secretary.
  • Reforested areas cannot be converted to agricultural lands.

Section 4: Transfer of Personnel and Properties

• Legal Principle/Provision: Transfers all personnel engaged in reforestation, along with existing records and properties from the Bureau of Forestry to the Reforestation Administration.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Personnel performing productive reforestation work" refers to individuals actively engaged in reforestation efforts.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: None specified in this section.
• Relevant Timeframes: Effective upon the establishment of the Reforestation Administration.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • Personnel, records, and properties related to reforestation are transferred to the new agency.

Section 5: Administrative Structure

• Legal Principle/Provision: Defines the leadership and organizational structure of the Reforestation Administration, including the appointment of an Administrator and Deputy Administrator by the President.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Administrator of Reforestation Administration" refers to the head of the agency.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The Administrator organizes the agency into divisions for efficiency.
• Relevant Timeframes: None specified in this section.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • Administrator and Deputy Administrator salaries are specified.
  • The Administrator has the authority to organize agency personnel.

Section 6: Appropriations for the Reforestation Administration

• Legal Principle/Provision: Provides for the transfer of all relevant appropriations from the Bureau of Forestry to the Reforestation Administration for its establishment and operation.
• Key Definitions Introduced:
  • "Current appropriations" refer to budget allocations for reforestation activities.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: None specified in this section.
• Relevant Timeframes: Pertains to the current fiscal year.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • Appropriations related to the Bureau's reforestation division are transferred to the new agency.

Section 7: Repeal of Inconsistent Laws

• Legal Principle/Provision: Repeals any laws, orders, or regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
• Key Definitions Introduced: None.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: None specified.
• Relevant Timeframes: Immediate effect upon enactment.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • Conflicting laws or regulations are repealed to ensure clarity and effectiveness of this Act.

Section 8: Effectivity Clause

• Legal Principle/Provision: States that the Act will take effect upon its approval.
• Key Definitions Introduced: None.
• Important Requirements/Procedures: None specified.
• Relevant Timeframes: Immediate effect upon approval.
• Penalties/Liabilities: None specified in this section.
• Bullet Points:
  • The Act is effective immediately upon approval.

Key Takeaways

• The Reforestation Administration is established to focus on reforestation efforts in the Philippines.
• It is empowered to manage funds and areas for reforestation, ensuring these areas remain protected.
• Personnel and resources from the Bureau of Forestry are transitioned to this new agency.
• The Act allows for the reallocation of budgetary appropriations to facilitate the agency's objectives.
• All inconsistent laws are repealed to support the establishment and functioning of the Reforestation Administration.