Republic Act No. 9772

AN ACT IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. A logging ban is hereby imposed in the Province of Southern Leyte.

Section 2. For purposes of this Act, "logging" shall refer to the process, work or business of cutting down trees for commercial purposes.

Section 3. The harvesting of planted species within tree plantations and the tree cutting activities for projects approved by the government and only for basic services such as, but not limited to, public works, energy development or water utilities are exempted from this Act: Provided, That any harvesting or cutting of tree species shall comply with all pertinent environmental and forestry laws, rules and regulations.

Section 4. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act

Section 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,

JUAN PONCE ENRILE President of the Senate

PROSPERO C. NOGRALES Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on April 29, 2008 and July 28,2009, respectively.

EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of the Senate

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: November 13, 2009

GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

President of the Philippines