REQUIRING TIMBER LICENSEES AND PASTURE LESSEES TO ENGAGE IN FOOD PRODUCTION, CREATING THE MECHANICS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND PROVIDING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 472
• Sections: 8

Preamble

WHEREAS, self-sufficiency in rice, corn and other basic

staples is a primary concern of the State;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to supplement food

production programs in order to attain self-sufficiency in food;

WHEREAS, there are areas within forest concessions and

pasture lands that can profitably be devoted to food production;

WHEREAS, the forest-based industries recognize the urgent

need of producing sufficient food to sustain not only their own workers

but the surrounding communities as well, as a demonstration of their

ability to respond to economic problems thru the imaginative use of the

country's vast store of natural wealth; and

WHEREAS, forest-based industries, particularly timber

licensees and pasture lessees, have the resources and facilities to help

in the food production drive of the government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution,

do hereby decree as part of the law of the land the following:

Section 1

SECTION 1. Timber licensees and pasture lessees are hereby

required to develop areas within their concessions and pasture lands for

the production of rice, corn and other basic staples to take care of

the consumption requirements of their workers and the people within

their area.

The Secretary of Natural Resources shall, in consultation with the

Director of Forest Development, determine what areas within the

concessions or pasture lands may be devoted to this purpose: Provided,

That existing pasture lands shall first be evaluated to determine which,

or what portions thereof, are to be devoted to food production or

grazing purposes: Provided, further, That the classification of

the area during the duration of this program shall be as before it was

so devoted for food production.

Section 2

SEC. 2. Hereafter, it

shall be a condition to the issuance, renewal or extension of a timber

license or pasture lease that the licensee or lessee shall undertake the

production, in areas so selected within the concession or pasture land,

of rice, corn or other basic staples in amounts sufficient to meet the

requirements of their workers and people living within the concession or

pasture land.

Section 3

SEC. 3. After a determination of the area to be devoted

to the production of rice, corn or other basic staples within the

concession or pasture land, it shall be incumbent upon the licensee or

lessee to bring such area into production in accordance with a

development plan approved by the Secretary of Natural Resources.

Failure of the licensee or lessee to develop the area so

selected for the production of staples within a period specified by the

Secretary of Natural Resources, shall be sufficient cause for the

cancellation of the license or lease.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The

Secretary of Natural Resources shall be the Action Officer of this

project. He shall be assisted by the Director of Forest Development. He

shall create a Secretariat and designate a Project Director to head the

same.

To carry out the provisions of this Decree, the Secretary

of Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and regulations,

and he may call upon any government office or agency as well as any

private entity for assistance.

Section 5

SEC. 5. The sum of One

million (P1,000,000.00) Pesos or so much thereof as may be necessary is

hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not

otherwise appropriated, to carry out effectively the provisions of this

Decree for the fiscal year 1974-75.

Section 6

SEC. 6. All Acts, Decrees, rules and regulations or

parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are

repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 7

SEC. 7. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of May, in the year

of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary