Institutionalization of the National Steering Committee (NSC)
- The NSC, composed of member institutions, will be convened immediately.
- NSC to forge a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlining roles, functions, and internal rules.
- The Forest Management Bureau Director heads the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) responsible for activating NSC.
- NSC tasked with policy formulation, program development, and establishing linkages.
Partnership Operationalization at the Field Level
- DENR Regional Executive Directors and DILG Regional Directors jointly strategize and plan to support partnership.
- PENROs, CENROs, their DILG counterparts, and league heads hold meetings with local chief executives to operationalize partnership.
- MOAs signed by DENR, DILG, LGUs, and Leagues formalize roles, functions, and commitments.
Priority Concerns for Partnership Implementation
- Technical Priorities:
- Identifying communal forests, watersheds, greenbelts, tree parks, reforestation, and co-management areas.
- Transparent, participatory forest land use planning (FLUP) specifying agency roles.
- Devolution of forestland management based on approved LGU FLUPs.
- Administrative Priorities:
- Formulating a National Strategic Partnership Plan.
- Disseminating and implementing JMC 98-01 as amended.
- Issuing instructions to DENR, DILG, and other agencies including NCIP.
Documentation and Devolution of Forest Management Projects
- Devolution of forestry projects to LGUs proceeds without delay.
- Full documentation required for devolved projects and co-management agreements.
- Authorization to enter MOAs depends on forest area size, ranging from CENRO to Secretary level.
- DILG officials act as witnesses in MOAs.
- MOAs emphasize roles, responsibilities, accountabilities, and principles of transparency and participatory management.
Procedures for FLUP Approval and MOA Execution
- LGU FLUPs must be approved by City/Municipal Development Councils and enacted as ordinances.
- DENR approves FLUPs post-enactment, formalized via MOA.
- DENR Regional Executive Director signs MOAs with the DILG Regional Director as witness.
Co-Management of Watersheds and Forest Areas
- LGUs may enter co-management agreements over forestlands reposed by law to DENR or other agencies, based on FLUPs.
LGU Participation in Tenurial Instruments and Permit Issuance
- DENR must submit applications for tenure instruments and extraction permits to LGUs for comments.
- LGUs have 15 days to respond; silence is deemed endorsement.
- Where multiple LGUs/provinces are involved, all must be consulted.
- Failure to solicit LGU comments leads to review and suspension of activities.
- DENR officials who process applications without LGU comments face administrative liability.
Deputation of LGU Officials as Special ENR Officers
- NSC to develop guidelines for deputizing LGU officials as Special Environment and Natural Resources Officers.
- Deputized LGU officials to assist DENR in enforcing laws.
- DENR to provide training and periodic upgrading for deputized officials.
Financial and Resource Commitment of LGUs
- DENR provides technical support to build LGU capacity.
- LGUs encouraged to allocate funds for devolution, partnership, and co-management.
- Resource-sharing arrangements among DENR, DILG, and LGUs to be included in the National Strategic Partnership Plan.
Review and Strengthening of Partnership Guidelines
- NSC to regularly review the JMC and related guidelines to ensure effective partnership.
Administrative Sanctions for Non-Compliance
- DENR, DILG, and LGU officials must coordinate and perform duties to support LGU involvement.
- Deliberate refusal, delay, or negligence may result in disciplinary action.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions remain unaffected.
Repealing Clause
- Orders, rules, or regulations conflicting with this Circular are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Circular takes effect immediately as of May 19, 2003.