Identification and Delimitation of ITP Areas
- Minister of Natural Resources through Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) to accelerate identifying suitable areas within timber concessions.
- Timber license holders given six months to either:
- Apply for ITP lease agreement (up to 30% of TLA area),
- Implement approved 7-year reforestation plan, or
- Both.
- Submission and immediate implementation of a new 7-year reforestation program required.
Formation and Responsibilities of ITP Corporations
- Timber license holders may form corporations with investors for ITP development.
- License holder must ensure development per lease agreement.
- Failure to develop leads to forfeiture and license revocation.
Failure to Comply and Third-party Involvement
- Non-compliance within time frame constitutes waiver of priority option.
- Such areas made available to third parties including cooperatives.
- Summary suspension and revocation of licenses and export permits for reforestation program violations.
Reforestation Species Requirements
- Timber licensees must plant dipterocarp, premium, and fast-growing species according to reforestation programs.
Definition of "Inadequately Stocked Areas"
- Lands with less than 20 dipterocarp or endangered species trees per hectare, with trees not exceeding 20 cm diameter at breast height.
- Prohibits cutting of such species without proper authorization.
Area Contiguity and Composition of ITP
- ITP areas must be contiguous; can include patches of adequately stocked areas.
- Adequately stocked areas capped at 30% of total ITP area.
- At least 5% must be reserved as permanent wilderness.
- Remaining adequately stocked area serves as buffer with regulated harvesting.
Segregation of ITP Areas
- Identified suitable areas segregated from timber concessions upon issuance of ITP lease agreements.
ITP Development Outside Timber Concessions
- Areas outside concessions also available for ITP development to interested parties.
ITP Lease Agreement Terms and Compensation
- Lease terms set at 25 years, renewable once for another 25 years if compliant.
- Lessee entitled to fair compensation for standing trees and improvements.
- Compensation formulas specified; infrastructure valued at market value.
- Subsequent lessees reimburse government for prior compensations.
Government Participation and Financial Assistance
- National Development Company (NDC) may have equity in ITP corporations.
- Government representatives included as non-voting board members.
- Government financing institutions to provide long-term, low-interest loans.
Employee Status and Labor Benefits
- ITP workers classified as agricultural workers entitled to labor protections and benefits.
Rules and Regulations for Implementation
- Ministry of Natural Resources to promulgate rules in consultation with relevant agencies within 60 days.
Application Approval and Execution of Lease Agreement
- BFD to approve/reject ITP applications within 120 days.
- Lease agreement to be executed within 30 days of approval.
- Development must begin within one year.
- Minister of Natural Resources may vary lease terms with agreement, aligned with the Executive Order's intent.
Amendments and Effectivity
- Existing issuances inconsistent with this order are amended accordingly.
- Executive Order takes immediate effect.