DENR Administrative Order No. 13

Series of 1992

SUBJECT: REGULATION GOVERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BUFFER ZONE WITHIN FOREST LANDS

Pursuant to PD 705, as amended, executive Order No. 192 dated June 10, 1987, and in line with the policy of the Government to sustainably manage and provide equitable access to the country's natural resources, the following regulations of buffer zones are hereby promulgated :

Section 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the Government to ensure the sustainability of the remaining Forest resources through the establishment of buffer zones between the boundary of production forests and areas used for agricultural and other purposed, and provision of livelihood opportunities to forest occupants.

Section 2. Objectives. the buffer zones to be established under this Order shall have the following objectives:

2.1 To serve as a protective belt on the exposed natural forest, both virgin and residual or second growth, from encroachment and destruction;

2.2 To provide areas for livelihood opportunities to rural communities; and

2.3 To establish natural landmarks within forest lands.

Section 3. Definition of Buffer Zones. In the establishments of buffer zones refer to a strip of land with natural or established vegetable which provide an added layer of protection to the forests where restricted use is allowed for local production of various benefits to rural communities.

Section 4. Areas Identified as Buffer Zones. In the establishment of buffer zones, priority shall be given to forest lands and critical mangrove areas located along the boundaries of population centers or densely populated communities and in forest land made accessible by the presence of legitimate TLA holders or permittees.

More specifically, buffer zones shall be established in:

4.1 Twenty-meter strips of land along the edge of normal high waterline rivers and streams with channels of at least five meters (5m) wide;

4.2 Where applicable, buffer zones shall likewise be established in the following areas:

4.2.1 Strips of land at least fifty meters (50 m) in width fronting the sea, ocean or other bodies of water and twenty meters (20 m) on both sides of river channels/banks maintained and developed to enhance the protective capability of mangrove against strong currents, winds and high waves;

4.2.2 In storm-prone areas, mangrove forest strips one hundred meters (100m) wide inward along shoreline fronting seas, oceans and water bodies and fifty meters (50m) strip river bank protection; and

4.2.3 Twenty-meter (20m) strips of land outside the boundaries and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas.

Section 5. Identification, Delineation and Establishment of Buffer Zones. The DENR through the PENRO and CENRO shall immediately identify, with the aid of the latest Forest Resources Condition Maps (FRCM), aerial photographs and/or other technical references, potential areas as buffer zones. Areas identifies shall be validated and demarcated on the ground and thereafter indicated on map with a scale of 1:20,000.

Following the procedures prescribed in annex A hereof, the CENRO concerned shall issue administrative order declaring a specific area as buffer zone/s and shall development plan of the area, for approval.

Section 6. Development and Maintenance of Buffer Zones. To ensure the proper development and maintenance of the established buffer zones, the following shall be observe at all times:

6.1 Established buffer zones shall not be subject of applications for lease or permit;

6.2 Buffer zones established for the protection of river banks and mangroves, gathering of forest products shall be strictly regulated and tree planting shall be encouraged;

6.3 In residual forests and protected areas buffer utilization of forest products maybe allowed, PROVIDED, that the purpose for which the buffer zone was established, shall not be defeated;

Planning of forest tree species including firewood species and fruit trees, shall be encouraged in these areas adopting the appropriate spacing, However, in cases where portions of open areas need to be established to provide, occupancy shall be prohibited; and

6.4 The buffer zones shall be jointly managed and protected by the DENR and the concerned local government units and the communities themselves.

The products derived therefrom shall accrue to the communities ; and

6.5 Areas identified as mangrove buffer zones, which have already been converted into fishponds through approved Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs) are not covered by this Order: Provided that, the lessee/s shall reforest, whenever practicable, the tidal flats fronting their respective areas to at least 50 meters strip.

Section 7. Penal Provision. Violations of any of the provisions of this Order shall be penalized in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Section 8. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately .

(SGD.) RICARDO M. UMALI
OIC, Secretary