RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

IN FORESTRY
2019 Foresters Licensure Examination Review Class
 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR)
DENR MANDATE (EO 192, series of 1987)
The Department is the primary government agency
responsible for the conservation, management, development, and
proper use of the country's environment and natural resources,
specially forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including
those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands of the public
domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural
resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure
equitable sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare
of the present and future generations of Filipinos.
 TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MANDATE, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL BE GUIDED BY THE
FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
1. Assure the availability and sustainability of the country's natural resources
through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever
possible.
2. Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands
for forest, mineral, and land resources of growing a population.
3. Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national
economic and social development.
4. Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the
population.
5. Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the
Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
 DENR THRUST AND PRIORITIES
The DENR thrusts and priorities are consistent with the President’s
Social Contract with the Filipino people and supportive of the five (5)
priority agenda of the President, that of:
• anti-corruption/transparent, accountable and participatory
governance;
• poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable;
• rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth;
• just and lasting peace and the rule of law; and,
• integrity of the environment and climate change.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
1. Expanding the Coverage of the National Greening Program (e-NGP)
2. Clean Air
3. Clean Water
4. Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation
5. Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining
6. Improved Land Administration and Management
7. Intensified Forest Protection and Anti-Illegal Logging
8. Manila Bay Clean Up
9. Scaling up of Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Program
10. Intensified Environmental Protection (Solid Waste Management)
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Expanding the Coverage of the National Greening Program (e-NGP)

 It aims to cover the remaining 7.1 million hectares of

unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands nationwide.
Under the ENGP, the Duterte Administration targets to reforest
some 1.2 million hectares between 2017 to 2022 in accordance
with the updated 2016-2028 Master Plan for Forestry Development.
The ENGP likewise seeks to attract private sector interest to invest
in forestry-related undertakings like tree plantation development
and forest protection projects as a measure to achieve carbon
neutrality.
 Expanding the Coverage of the National Greening Program (e-NGP)

Priority activities are the following:

(1) rehabilitation of 1.2 m hectares of denuded forest lands by 2022; and
2) maintenance and protection of existing forests.

Executive Order No. 26, series of 2011 was issued to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5
million hectares of lands of the public domain for a period of six (6) years from CY
2011 to CY 2028.

Executive Order No. 193 was signed on November 12, 2015, the Expanded NGP will
rehabilitate all the remaining unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands
estimated at 7.1 million hectares from 2016 to 2028.
 NGP aims to:
1) contribute in reducing poverty among upland and lowland poor households, indigenous
peoples, and in coastal and urban areas;
2) implement sustainable management of natural resources through resource conservation,
protection, and productivity enhancement;
3) provide food, goods and services such as timber, fiber, non-timber forest products,
aesthetic values, air enhancement values, water regulation values, and mitigate climate
change by expanding forest cover that serve as carbon sink;
4) promote public awareness as well as instill social and environmental consciousness on the
value of forests and watersheds;
5) enhance the formation of positive values among the youth and other partners through
shared responsibilities in sustainable management of tree plantations and forest resources,
and
6) consolidate and harmonize all greening efforts of the government, civil society, and the
private sector.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Air

Priority Activities:

a. Monitoring of the compliance of firms and industries;

b. Operationalization of airshed governing boards; and
c. Calibration and maintenance of air quality monitoring
stations.
 Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Air

Three sub-programs:
(1) Motor Vehicle Emission Management Program
(2) Industrial Emission Management Program
(3) Roadside ambient and general ambient air monitoring.

Three Sources of Air Emission:

(1)Mobile
(2)Stationary
(3)Area Sources
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Water

Priority Activities:

a. Monitoring of the compliance of firms/industries;

b. Conduct of classification of water bodies; and
c. Designation of Water Quality Management Area
(WQMAs)
 Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Water

The program is implemented based on the established

environmental laws specifically RA 9275, the Philippine Clean
Water Act (CWA) that provides for a comprehensive strategy to
address the degradation of our waterbodies.

It mandates the Bureau to formulate and implement policies

and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to improve water
quality in all parts of the country. It encourages pollution prevention
and waste minimization at source and provides for the use of
economic incentives and public disclosure to ensure compliance.
 Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Water

The program aims to:

 improve water quality of Priority Rivers and other critical
water bodies including lakes and bays through continuous
massive clean-up, monitoring of industries and rehabilitation of
esteros/rivers through partnership agreements such as the
Adopt-an-estero program.

Disclosure programs such as beachwatch and industrial and

industrial ecowatch will be pursued.
 Intensified Environmental Protection: Clean Water

Water classification
a very important component of water quality management
since the application of effluent standards are dependent on this
classification. The classification of waterbodies helps water managers
and planners to develop proper water quality management programs
and provide the standards to protect aquatic life and human use of
specific water bodies. Operationalization of water quality
management areas (WQMAs) will also be prioritized.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation

Priority Activities:

a. Establishment of eco-tourism areas;

b. Establishment of critical habitats; and
c. Establishment and disestablishment of protected areas.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

Priority Activities:

a. Rehabilitation of abandoned mines; and

b. Assessment of coastal geo-hazards and
ground water resources.
 Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

This program intends to capacitate communities to

their adaptation to geologic hazards, as well as provide
them critical data on groundwater resources.

The program has two (2) components, namely:

 Geohazard Assessment
 Groundwater Resource Assessment
 Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

Geohazard Assessment
-The National Geohazard Assessment Program was implemented to generate
information on susceptibility of areas to geologic hazards. The assessment is focused on rain-
induced landslides, floods, flashfloods, ground subsidence or sinking, and other forms of slope
instabilities that are not directly induced by earthquakes or volcanic activities.
-Complementation activities are carried out with other national government agencies
to address other hazards that are also of critical importance in terms of impact. For Y2015 and
onwards, the Program will concentrate on the massive campaign to disseminate the digitized
geohazards map sheets (at 1:10,000 scale) to 42,029 (NSO 2014) barangays nationwide
complemented with massive information and awareness campaigns on geohazards mitigation
and reduction.
-These shall integrate climate change impact and establishment of community-based
early warning systems.
 Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

-The sub-surface assessment was also initiated in 2015

to determine subsidence hazards and sinkhole in karst areas. It
was done in response to the 7.2 intensity earthquake that hit
Bohol in 2013.
-Coastal geohazard assessment on areas which are highly
and critically prone to erosion and accretion of the country
starts Y2015 with 166 coastal cities/municipalities. Inputs on
these are relevant on the concerns relating to shoreline shift
and relative sea level changes due to impact of climate change.
 Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

Groundwater Resource Assessment

-The National Groundwater Resources and Vulnerability Assessment is conducted to
determine the availability of groundwater resources and the threats to contamination and depletion.
-It covers two main aspects: the resource assessment component, and the vulnerability
component. Areas that are periodically affected by water shortages and those whose water supplies
that are under constant threat of depletion and water quality deterioration shall be prioritized.
-This will integrate climate change impacts in some critical areas that will be identified
during the assessment such as changes in sea level which might affect groundwater resources in the
coastal areas and effect of the reduction in the recharge of the groundwater due to drought.
Particular emphasis will also be placed on characterizing the vulnerability of the groundwater
resource to human impact on the environment such as over-extraction, pollution from industries
and deterioration of viable aquifers or reservoirs due to land degradation and surface development.
 Geo-hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining

-This ensures the implementation of responsible mining practices in

the minerals industry.
-It involves the monitoring of mining permits/contracts to determine
their compliance with the Safety and Health, Environment and Social (SHES)
provisions of the Mining Act of 1995, as well as the approved
exploration/development/construction/operating work programs.
-To further ensure the compliance of mining permits/contracts, the
operationalization of Multipartite Monitoring Teams is also undertaken.
Illegal mining activities are addressed thru the issuance of cease and desist
orders, and the consequent filing of charges in the Provincial/City
Prosecutor’s Office. Lastly, complaints/cases/conflicts are likewise
addressed.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Improved Land Administration and Management

Land Administration and Management System (LAMS) is an

information system designed to provide effective management of
land records and efficient delivery of land transactions and
information services to the public.

Priority Activity is the issuance of residential and agricultural free

patents.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Intensified Forest Protection and Anti-Illegal Logging

Priority Activities:

a. Neutralize illegal logging hotspots;

b. Forest fire prevention; and
c. Continuous forest patrolling thru LAWIN
system.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Manila Bay Clean Up

Priority Activity is the implementation of

operational plan for the Manila Bay Coastal
Strategy 2017-2022
 Manila Bay Clean Up

-It aims to restore the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance

with the Writ of Continuing Mandamus of the Supreme Court.

On January 27, 2019, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu officially declared the
start of the Manila Rehabilitation at the Baywalk in Manila. On hand to
witness the declaration, and also joined in the earlier event of Solidarity
Walk from the Quirino Grandstand to the staging area (Baywalk), were
about 5,000 individuals, mostly representing the 13 Mandamus agencies,
local government units, and private sector.
 Manila Bay Clean Up

MANILA BAY REHABILITATION

Phase 1- Cleanup/Water Quality Improvement
• Cleanup of designated esteros and waterways;
• Reduce fecal coliform level and toxic discharges from houses and establishments by
causing connection to existing STPs and requiring STPs for gov’t, commercial,
industrial, and educational establishments;
• Inspect and repair leaks in old sewer lines;
• Provide temporary sanitation facilities to informal settlers residing along esteros and
shorelines pending relocation;
• Implement solid waste management; and
• Start planning for the relocation of informal settlers
 Manila Bay Clean Up

Phase 2 – Rehabilitation and Resettlement

• Rehabilitation of old sewer lines in NCR
• Relocation of informal settlers
• Ensure completion of 340 MLD of Maynilad and Manila Water by 2022

Phase 3 – Education and Sustainment

• Continuing education of citizens to protect the gains
• Sustained law enforcement and monitoring
• Fast tracking/ Earlier completion of the sewerage system in Metro Manila from
2037 to 2026
 Manila Bay Clean Up

The Manila Bay Area

• The Manila Bay area covers eight (8) provinces and 178 local
government units in three regions of the country, namely: National
Capital Region (NCR), Region III, and Region IV-A. Of the eight
provinces, four are coastal (Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite and Pampanga);
four are non-coastal (Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal and Tarlac).
• Its drainage area covers 1,994 km2, or 199,400 hectares.
• Its coastline measures some 190 kilometers.
 Manila Bay Clean Up

There are 17 principal river systems draining to Manila Bay, namely:

Angat River Bocaue River

Maria River Marilao River

Meycauayan Meycauayan-Valenzuela River

Pasig River Parañaque River

Imus River Ylang-ylang River

Rio Grande Cañas River

Obando River Navotas-Malabon-Tinajeros-Tullahan River

Talisay River Guagua River

Pampanga River
 Manila Bay Clean Up

SC Mandamus on Manila Bay

• On Dec. 18, 2016, the Supreme Court issued SC Mandamus on
Manila Bay (G.R. 171947-48) directing 13 government agencies
to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore
and maintain its waters to SB level to make them fit for
swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation.
• DENR Administrative Order No. 34 of 1990 defines coastal and
marines waters under Class SB classification as areas regularly
used by the public for bathing, swimming and skin diving, etc.,
and as spawning areas for Chanos chanos or bangus and similar
species.
 Manila Bay Clean Up

The 13 Mandamus agencies are as follows:

• DENR
• DILG
• DepEd
• DOH
• DA
• DPWH
• DBM
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
• Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG)
• Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
• Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)
 Manila Bay Clean Up

For the DENR, the SC ordered the agency to:

 Fully implement its Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy
(OPMBCS) that are within its mandate pursuant to Executive Order No.
192, s. 1987;
Regularly coordinate with mandamus agencies and other concerned
agencies involved in management of Manila Bay on effective
implementation of OPMBCS;
Pursuant to Sec. 19 of RA 9275, manage water quality of Manila Bay thru
standards setting, regular monitoring and determination of Water Quality
Management Areas (WQMA).
 Manila Bay Clean Up

The Mandamus likewise orders the dismantling and removal of illegal

structures along the following waterways:

• Pasig-Marikina-San Juan Rivers

• NCR (Paranaque-Zapote, Las Pinas) Rivers
• Navotas-Malabon-Tullahan-Tinajeros and connecting waterways and
esteros in Metro Manila
• Rivers in Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite and Laguna de Bay and other rivers
connecting waterways and esteros that discharge wastewater into the
Manila Bay
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Scaling up of Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Program

Priority Activities:

a. Development of biodiversity friendly enterprises;

b. Maintenance and protection of coastal and marine
ecosystems; and
c. Coral reef and sea grass assessment.
 PRIORITY PROGRAMS
Intensified Environmental Protection (Solid Waste Management)

Priority Activities:

a. Closure of dumpsites; and

b. Establishment of Material Recovery Facilities
(MRFs).
 Intensified Environmental Protection (Solid Waste Management)

RA 9003

 Provides for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological

waste management program to ensure the protection of
public health and the environment.
 Intensified Environmental Protection (Solid Waste Management)

The ecological solid waste management program is

expected to assist Local Government Units in implementing
RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
particularly in the development of their 10 yr. SWM Plan,
closure and rehabilitation of dumpsites, establishment of
Materials Recovery Facilities, and an environmentally sound
disposal system.
 OTHER PROGRAMS
Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP)

Project Background
one of the major projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -
Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB). It aims to address unsustainable watershed
management in four priority Upper River Basins (URBs), namely;

1. Chico Upper River Basin in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Northern Luzon;
2. Wahig-Inabanga River Basin in the island of Bohol, Region VII;
3. Bukidnon Upper River Basin in Northern Mindanao, Region X; and
4. Lake Lanao River Basin in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
 FOREST AND WETLAND RESEARCH,
DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION CENTER
(FWRDEC)
Functions

 FTRRC shall plan, formulate, and implement RDE programs/

projects/activities including generation and transfer of technologies
related to conservation and management of forest and timber resources
in accordance with the national RDE agenda and framework. It shall
provide technical assistance to clientele on forest and timber resources
management and other ENR technologies and perform other functions
that may be assigned by higher authority.
 CPD LAW
RA 10912 – Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016
– Approved on July 21, 2016

Resolution No. 1032, s. 2017 – Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)

of RA 10912
– Approved on February 15, 2017

Resolution No. 2019-1146, s. 2019 – Amending Relevant Provisions of

Resolution No. 1032
– Approved on February 7, 2019
 RA 10912
Article III, section 10
CPD as Mandatory Requirement in the Renewal of
Professional License and Accreditation System for the
Practice of Professions.
– The CPD is hereby made as a mandatory
requirement in the renewal of the Professional
Identification Cards (PICs) of all registered and licensed
professionals under the regulation of the PRC.
 RESOLUTION NO. 1032, S. 2017
Rule III, Section 10.1
Registered and licensed professionals shall compete the required
credit units every three (3) years of compliance period or as specified in their
Professional Regulatory Law, or as provided by the PRB and the Commission
through a Resolution that may be issued.

Any excess CUs earned shall not be carried over to the next three-year
period except for the credit unit earned from doctorate and master’s degrees
or specialty trainings which shall only be individually credited only once
during the entire compliance period.
RESOLUTION NO. 1032, S. 2017
 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-1146
Section 3. Sections 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 are hereby deleted and shall be
amended as follows:

10.2 During this transition period, the following shall be observed:

a. Professionals working overseas shall not be covered by the CPD

requirement;
b. Newly licensed professionals shall not be covered by the CPD requirement
for the first renewal cycle after obtaining their license.
c. The various CPD Councils shall reduce the required CPD credit units to a
minimum, which shall not be more than fifteen (15), as provided for under
applicable laws.
 UPDATES ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF
CPD PROGRAM
RA 11038
RA 11038
 God Bless
Future Foresters!