Executive Order No. 23 - Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 23
DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE CUTTING AND HARVESTING OF
TIMBER IN THE NATURAL AND RESIDUAL FORESTS AND CREATING
THE ANTI-ILLEGAL LOGGING TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, the entire country has been a witness to the ever-changing
climatic conditions brought about by the La Niña phenomenon;
WHEREAS, the destructive effects of the phenomenon on the environment
are apparent in many regions in the country and it is an accepted fact that the effects
are worsened due to the continuous denudation of the forest zones;
WHEREAS, the watersheds and river systems supporting existing or
proposed hydroelectric power facilities, irrigation works or existing water facilities are
in need of immediate protection and rehabilitation;
WHEREAS, it is the obligation of the State to protect the remaining forest
cover areas of the country not only to prevent flash floods and hazardous flooding
but also to preserve biodiversity, protect threatened habitats and sanctuaries of
endangered and rare species, and allow natural regeneration of residual forests and
development of plantation forests;
WHEREAS, it is imperative to arrest the degradation, pollution and
contamination of the river and water systems and to stem the wanton destruction of
the forest resources;
WHEREAS, Article XII, Sec. 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitutional provides
that "the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under
the full control and supervision of the State".
NOW, THEREFORE, I BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Executive Order,
the following terms shall be defined:
1.1. Forest Land - it includes public forest, permanent forest or forest
reserves, and forest reservations.
1.2 Natural and Residual Forests
trees, not planted by man.
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are forests composed of indigenous
1.3 Plantation Forest - is a forest where the trees were planted pursuant to
a management agreement with the DENR.
Office of the President of the Philippines
PNOY001547
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1.4 Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) is a production
sharing contract entered into by and between the DENR and a qualified
applicant wherein the DENR grants to the latter exclusive right to
develop, manage, protect and utilize a specified area of forest land and
forest resources therein for a specified period consistent with the
principle of sustainable development and in accordance with an
approved Comprehensive Development and Management Plan (CDMP).
1.5 Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) - is
an agreement entered into by and between a natural or juridical person