Definition of Terms
- Definitions provided for key concepts related to mangrove resources including: Alienable or Disposable Lands, Communal Mangrove Forest, Denuded Areas, Fishpond Lease Agreement, Forest Lands, License, Mangrove Area, Mangrove Buffer Zones, Mangrove Forest, Mangrove Plantation, Mangrove Resources, Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves, Permit, Protected Areas, Timber, and Wilderness Areas.
Prohibition in the Issuance of License and Permit
- Effective immediately, no licenses or permits will be granted or renewed for commercial cutting or debarking of mangrove trees outside Fishpond Lease Agreements and mangrove plantations.
Conversion of Mangrove Areas into Fishponds
- Conversion of densely vegetated mangrove areas into fishponds is prohibited.
- Mangrove swamps not utilized or abandoned for five years revert to forest land.
Fishponds in Mangrove Forest Reserves and Wilderness Areas
- Fishponds are generally prohibited in these protected areas.
- Legally acquired productive fishponds may be compensated if reverted back to forest land based on public interest.
Issuance of Certificate of Stewardship Contract
- Certificates may be issued to individuals or groups for sustainable activities in mangrove areas except wilderness zones.
- Conversion for fishponds, saltworks, or paddy cultivation under the certificate is not allowed.
Cutting of Trees within Fishpond Lease Agreement Areas
- Cutting within FLA areas requires a DENR permit.
- Trees cut under permit must be turned over for public bidding, with FLA holders allowed to match highest bids.
Establishment, Development and Management Communal Mangrove Forest
- Communal mangrove forests may be established for community use under DENR supervision and approved management plans.
- DENR may revoke communal forest designation for non-sustainable activities.
- Continuous information dissemination and local training on mangrove management are mandated.
Fishpond Development
- Permitted only in denuded areas zoned for such use.
- Estuarine mangroves with shrub vegetation are not to be used for fishponds and must be rehabilitated.
- DENR must assist applicants in finding alternative sites if estuarine areas are rejected.
Responsibility and Authority on Mangrove Areas
- DENR Regional Offices with coordination from the Department of Agriculture are responsible for mangrove protection, development, and management.
Continuing Assessment of Mangrove Resources
- Regular resource assessments nationwide by NAMRIA and Regional Land Evaluation Teams.
- Involvement of NGOs encouraged for assessment activities.
Establishment of Mangrove Plantations
- Permitted on denuded or sparsely vegetated forest lands following Forestry Administrative Order No. 8-3.
- Area limits set initially at 50 hectares for groups and 10 hectares for individuals, expandable after evaluation up to 200 and 50 hectares respectively.
Cutting of Trees in Mangrove Plantations
- Plantation developers may cut planted trees through clear-cutting by strips after securing DENR permit.
Silviculture
- Combination of seed-tree method and planting allowed for natural mangrove forests.
- At least 40 healthy trees per hectare must be retained during harvesting for seed regeneration.
Penal Provision
- Violations subject to penalties under existing laws and regulations.
Repealing Clause
- This Order supersedes previous inconsistent directives related to mangrove resources.
Separability Clause
- Any revision or repeal of provisions does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions if independent.
Effectivity
- The Order shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.