Presidential Decree No 705
Presidential Decree No 705
Presidential Decree No 705
705
[As amended by P.D. No. 1559, P.D. No. 865, P.D. No. 1775, Batas Pambansa (B.P.) Blg. 701,
B.P. Blg. 83, Republic
Act (R.A.) No. 7161, Executive Order (E.O.) No. 277 and 83 O.G. No. 31]
REVISED FORESTRY CODE
[REVISING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 389,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE FORESTRY REFORM CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES]
WHEREAS, proper classification, management and utilization of the lands of the public
domain to maximize their productivity to meet the demands of our increasing population is
urgently needed;
WHEREAS, to achieve the above purpose, it is necessary to reassess the multiple uses of
forest lands and resources before allowing any utilization thereof to optimize the
benefits that can be derived therefrom;
WHEREAS, it is also imperative to place emphasis not only on the utilization thereof but
more so on the protection, rehabilitation and development of forest lands, in order to
ensure the continuity of their productive condition;
WHEREAS, the present laws and regulations governing forest lands are not responsive
enough to support re-oriented government programs, projects and efforts on the proper
classification and delimitation of the lands of the public domain, and the management,
utilization, protection, rehabilitation, and development of forest lands;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ferdinand E. Marcos, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby revise Presidential Decree No. 389 to
read as follows:
Section 1
Title of this Code
This decree shall be known as the "Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines."
Section 2
Policies
The State hereby adopts the following policies:
a. The multiple uses of forest lands shall be oriented to the development and
progress requirements of the country, the advancement of science and technology, and
the public welfare;
b. Land classification and survey shall be systematized and hastened;
c. The establishment of wood-processing plants shall be encouraged and rationalized;
and
d. The protection, development and rehabilitation of forest lands shall be emphasized
so as to ensure their continuity in productive condition.
Section 3
Definitions
a. Public forest is the mass of lands of the public domain which has not been the
subject of the present system of classification for the determination of which lands
are needed for forest purposes and which are not.
b. Permanent forest or forest reserves refers to those lands of the public domain
which have been the subject of the present system of classification and declared as
not needed for forest purposes.
c. Alienable and disposable lands refer to those lands of the public domain which
have been the subject of the present system of classification and declared as not
needed for forest purposes.
d. Forest lands include the public forest, the permanent forest or forest reserves,
and forest reservations.
e. Grazing land refers to that portion of the public domain which has been set aside,
in view of the suitability of its topography and vegetation, for the raising of
livestock.
f. Mineral lands refer to those lands of the public domain which have been classified
as such by the Secretary of Natural Resources in accordance with prescribed and
approved criteria, guidelines and procedure.
g. Forest reservations refer to forest lands which have been reserved by the
President of the Philippines for any specific purpose or purposes.
h. National park refers to a forest land reservation essentially of primitive or
wilderness character which has been withdrawn from settlement or occupancy and set
aside as such exclusively to preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects
and the wild animals or plants therein, and to provide enjoyment of these features in
such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future generations.
i. Game refuge or bird sanctuary refers to a forest land designated for the
protection of game animals, birds and fishes and closed to hunting and fishing in
order that the excess population may flow and restock surrounding areas.
j. Marine park refers to any public offshore area delimited as habitat of rare and
unique species of marine flora and fauna.
k. Seashore park refers to any public shore area delimited for outdoor recreation,
sports fishing, water skiing and related healthful activities.
enforce the provisions of this Code, other related laws, as well as their implementing
regulations.
mm. Private right means or refers to titled rights of ownership under existing laws,
and in the case of national minority to rights or possession existing at the time a
license is granted under this Code, which possession may include places of abode and
worship, burial grounds, and old clearings, but exclude productive forest inclusive of
logged-over areas, commercial forests and established plantations of forest trees and
trees of economic values.
nn. Person includes natural as well as juridical person. [As amended by PD No. 1559]