EXECUTIVE

ORDER NO. 23
 Major Environmental Laws

Executive Order No. 23 (February 1, 2011)

Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and
harvesting of timber in the natural and residual
forests

Creating the Anti-illegal Logging Task Force

 Justification

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 forest and
development of plantation forests.
SECTION 1. Definition of TERMS:

1.1 Forest Land - includes public forest, permanent forest or forest

reserves, forest reservations.

1.2 Natural and Residual Forests - are forests composed of indigenous trees, not
planted by man.

1.3 Plantation Forest - trees were planted pursuant to a management

agreement with the DENR.

1.4 Integrated Forest Management - is a production sharing contract entered into by and
Agreement between the DENR and a qualified applicant.

1.5 Socialized Integrated Forest - is an agreement entered into by and between a

Management Agreement (SIFMA) natural or judicial person and the DENR wherein the
latter grants to the former the right to develop, utilize
and manage a small tract of forest land consistent
with the principle of sustainable development.
SECTION 1. Definition of TERMS:
1.6 Community-Based Forest
Management (CBFM)
1.7 National Greening Program
- is an agreement entered into by and between
the government and the local community in a
locality, represented by a Peoples Organization
as forest managers, for a specific period
wherein the local community is allowed to
develop, utilize and manage a small tract of
forest land consistent with the principle of
sustainable development.
- is a DA-DENR-DAR convergence initiative
anchored on the government’s goal of poverty
reduction, food security, climate change adaptation
and mitigation.
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SECTION 2. Moratorium on the cutting and
harvesting of Timber in the Natural Forests

In order to implement this policy, the following are

hereby instituted:

2.1. Prohibited from issuing logging

contracts/agreements in all natural and residual
forests.

2.2. Prohibited from issuing/renewing tree

cutting permits in all natural and residual forest,
except for:

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EXCEPT FOR:
A. Clearing of Road Right of Way by DPWH:

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EXCEPT FOR:
B.
Site
preparation for
tree plantations:

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EXCEPT FOR:
C. Silvicultural
treatment:
Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)
 Renewable energy projects such as geothermal, hydrothermal,
dendrothermal, solar and wind projects;

Wind Solar

Geothermal 10
Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)

 Construction of transmission lines,

telecommunications sites, substation sites, and
other power generation projects, including
maintenance activities on existing lines

Transmission lines Telecommunication sites

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Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)
 Road right of way, rehabilitation/widening of roads,
airstrips and other infrastructure projects
undertaken by gov’t entities through private
contractors

Rehabilitation/ Road widening/ Airstrip

Road Right of way
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Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)

 Trees in public and private places that pose

danger to the human lives and/or properties as
evaluated by the DENR

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Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)

Mining operations with approved Environmental

Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP)

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Exemptions under “similar activities”
(as enumerated per Memo from the Office of the
Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011)

Other priority activities of government and

government-approved projects and programs
and certified as a priority project by the
President

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CONTINUATION OF SECTION 2. Moratorium on the
cutting and harvesting of Timber in the Natural
Forests

2.3. Terminate/cancel the agreements of those who

have violated the terms and conditions of the
contracts/agreements/permits.

2.4. Strictly implement a forest certification system

in accordance with the United Nations
standard/guidelines to ascertain the sustainability of
legal sources and chain of custody of timber and
wood products;
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CONTINUATION OF SECTION 2. Moratorium on the
cutting and harvesting of Timber in the Natural
Forests
2.5. Shall close and not allow to operate all
sawmills, veneer plants and other wood
processing plants who are unable to present proof
of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for a
period of at least five (5) years.

2.6. Shall develop a National Greening Program

(NGP)

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SECTION 3. Creation of the Anti-illegal
Logging Task Force

The Task Force shall be composed of the

following:

1. Chairman - DENR Secretary or

his duly authorized
representative

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 2. Members
- Secretary of the
Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) or authorized
representative

- Chief of Philippine
National Police (PNP) or authorized
representative

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 2. Members

- Secretary of the
Department of National Defense or
authorized representative

- Chief of Staff of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines or his
authorized representative

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 REMINDERS:

Pursuant to the provision of Resolution No. 2011-003 it

states that all concerned Municipal/City Mayors through
their respective Barangay Captain are hereby task to
conduct periodic upland monitoring and ensure that no
illegal logging, kaingin making and other forms of forest
destruction occurring in their area of jurisdiction and in
case of occurrence the same shall be reported the RTF
through the Provincial Governor and/or the DILG Regional
Director.

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