BTA Bill No. 471, or the proposed Bangsamoro Sustainable Forest Management Code of 2026, was introduced by Deputy Speaker Amenodin Sumagayan and co-authored by Parliament Members Rashdi Adiong, Ahmad Amir Balindong, Amer Zaakaria Rakim, and Alirakim Munder.
The 14-title code seeks to provide a unified legal framework for forest governance in BARMM amid growing concerns over deforestation, climate change, biodiversity loss, watershed degradation, and competing land-use pressures.
According to the bill’s explanatory note, BARMM’s forest cover increased from 340,796 hectares in 2010 to 344,416 hectares in 2020. Forests in Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi account for between 35 and 43 percent of their respective land areas and play a critical role in climate regulation, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, fisheries, and local livelihoods.
Lawmakers said the proposed code aims to ensure sustainable management of forest lands and resources while providing equitable access and benefit-sharing among government agencies, local communities, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations, and private stakeholders.
Under the bill, all forest lands and forest resources within BARMM’s jurisdiction will be covered by the proposed code, while protected areas established under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act, wildlife habitats, and ancestral domains will continue to be governed in accordance with existing national and regional laws.
The measure directs the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), through its Forest Management Services (FMS), to identify and delineate permanent forest boundaries within five years from the law’s effectivity in coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), local government units, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, religious leaders, tribal leaders, and academic institutions.
The bill authorizes MENRE to classify permanent forest lands into protection forests and production forests.
Protection forests will include forest reserves, watershed reservations, protected areas covered by the ENIPAS Act, and other conservation areas that may be designated by the Bangsamoro Parliament. Production forests, meanwhile, may be utilized for the sustainable production of timber and other forest products, subject to environmental safeguards.
A major feature of the proposed code is the imposition of a ban on commercial logging within protection forests.
The bill prohibits commercial logging and other extractive activities in protection forests, including the harvesting, gathering, and collection of forest resources, except for non-timber forest products and activities authorized for scientific and educational purposes by MENRE.
It also prohibits the construction of permanent facilities within protected forests unless they are consistent with sustainable forest management strategies.
The legislation requires that only indigenous and endemic species be planted within protection forests and recognizes the traditional resource rights of indigenous peoples.
To address forest degradation and declining watershed conditions, the proposed code directs MENRE to prioritize the rehabilitation of critical watersheds and denuded areas through reforestation, soil conservation projects, and watershed development programs.
Industries utilizing forest and water resources in BARMM would be required to undertake watershed development initiatives, while MENRE would establish a Watershed Information System to support planning, monitoring, and policy development.
The measure also promotes ecotourism development in forest areas by encouraging local government units, cultural communities, civil society organizations, and private investors to establish and conserve cultural heritage sites, sacred grounds, botanical and zoological parks, and other ecotourism destinations.
MENRE, in coordination with other government agencies, would be required to formulate a BARMM Comprehensive Tourism and Ecotourism Plan within one year from the enactment of the code.
For production forests, the proposed law allows the regulated utilization of timber, bamboo, rattan, and other forest products under sustainable forest management principles and the Islamic concepts of Khilafah and Amanah, which emphasize stewardship and responsible resource management.
Existing forestry permits, leases, franchises, and concessions will remain valid until the expiration of their tenure instruments. Future access to forest resources will be governed through tenure instruments, co-production agreements, joint ventures, and production-sharing arrangements consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law and national laws.
The bill grants preferential rights to BARMM inhabitants, including Moro communities, indigenous peoples, and settlers residing in the region, in the exploration, development, management, and utilization of forest resources.
To accelerate rehabilitation efforts, MENRE would be required to prepare a Comprehensive Forest Rehabilitation and Restoration Program within one year from the passage of the code.
The measure institutionalizes community participation through the adoption of the Bangsamoro Community Forest Management and Community Forest Rehabilitation and Restoration Management programs.
Forest-dependent communities and indigenous peoples would be entrusted with responsibilities in the protection, development, and sustainable utilization of forest resources, guided by the Islamic principles of stewardship and trust.
The bill further mandates the establishment of provincial, municipal, city, and barangay forest nurseries to produce indigenous and economically important tree species to support reforestation and greening initiatives.
Local government units would also be required to establish tree parks, communal forests, and local conservation areas, with annual funding allocated for their maintenance and development.
The proposal introduces a framework for BARMM’s participation in carbon markets.
MENRE would identify eligible forestlands for carbon projects, develop standards for measuring carbon sequestration, and oversee the issuance, monitoring, and trading of carbon credits.
Revenue generated from carbon market participation would be used to finance reforestation programs, community forestry projects, and other sustainable forest management initiatives.
The measure also strengthens environmental safeguards by requiring environmental impact assessments and Environmenta l Compliance Certificates for projects that may significantly affect forest ecosystems.
Projects subject to environmental review include mining operations, energy resource development, tourism facilities, roads, infrastructure projects, and other activities with the potential to cause substantial environmental disturbance.
Failure to conduct the required environmental impact assessment, particularly for projects involving forest clearing and road construction, may result in criminal liability.
To strengthen forest law enforcement, MENRE would be authorized to deputize forest officers from local governments, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, indigenous communities, and law enforcement agencies.
The bill also creates City and Municipal Forest Protection Councils to coordinate forest protection activities and allows the formation of a Special Forest Law Enforcement Task Force composed of representatives from the police, military, justice sector, and other law enforcement agencies.
Another provision establishes Al-Khalifah, also known as Tanggol Kalikasan, a regional task force that would coordinate forest protection, data sharing, law enforcement, and environmental planning between BARMM and neighboring regions.
The measure further creates an information and reward system for individuals who report forestry violations. Informants whose reports result in successful seizures and convictions involving illegal forest products may receive up to 20 percent of the proceeds from confiscated materials sold through public auction.
To strengthen governance and dispute resolution, the proposed code creates the Bangsamoro Forestry Adjudication Board (BFAB), a quasi-judicial body tasked with resolving disputes and cases arising from the implementation of the law.
The board would be composed of representatives from government, forestry institutions, indigenous peoples, traditional leaders, religious sectors, and experts in Islamic law and jurisprudence.
The bill also seeks to expand forest-based industries through the promotion of sustainable timber processing, bamboo enterprises, biomass energy production, community-based forest enterprises, and commercial tree plantations.
MENRE would be authorized to establish timber corridors and provide incentives for investments in sustainable forestry, reforestation, carbon sequestration, and forest-based manufacturing.
The bill requires MENRE to allocate annual funds from the regional budget to support forest conservation, rehabilitation, protection, and development initiatives.
Additional funding may be sourced from national government appropriations, BARMM’s share from national wealth revenues, local government development funds, trust funds, grants, donations, carbon market revenues, rentals, fines, fees, and other financing instruments.
The legislation grants MENRE authority to regulate the utilization of forest resources and requires permits for activities involving production forests, alienable and disposable lands, ancestral domains, and forest areas managed by other government agencies.
The environment minister or an authorized representative would also be empowered to confiscate illegally harvested forest products, as well as the vehicles, equipment, and machinery used in forestry violations.
Forest officers would be given authority to inspect transport vehicles suspected of carrying illegally sourced forest products, conduct investigations, administer oaths, and enter areas covered by forestry agreements and permits.
Under the proposed code, forestry-related cases would be heard by the Bangsamoro Forestry Adjudication Board, which may consider Shari’ah principles and customary adat laws of Bangsamoro and indigenous communities when resolving disputes, provided these remain consistent with the Philippine Constitution, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and national laws.
The bill requires MENRE to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within one year from the law’s enactment in consultation with stakeholders and the forestry sector.
The Bangsamoro Parliament, through its Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, would exercise oversight functions over the implementation of the proposed code and conduct a mandatory review of the law every three years. (LTAIS-PIPMRD/PR)
The bill also creates City and Municipal Forest Protection Councils to coordinate forest protection activities and allows the formation of a Special Forest Law Enforcement Task Force composed of representatives from the police, military, justice sector, and other law enforcement agencies.
Another provision establishes Al-Khalifah, also known as Tanggol Kalikasan, a regional task force that would coordinate forest protection, data sharing, law enforcement, and environmental planning between BARMM and neighboring regions.
The measure further creates an information and reward system for individuals who report forestry violations. Informants whose reports result in successful seizures and convictions involving illegal forest products may receive up to 20 percent of the proceeds from confiscated materials sold through public auction.
To strengthen governance and dispute resolution, the proposed code creates the Bangsamoro Forestry Adjudication Board (BFAB), a quasi-judicial body tasked with resolving disputes and cases arising from the implementation of the law.
The board would be composed of representatives from government, forestry institutions, indigenous peoples, traditional leaders, religious sectors, and experts in Islamic law and jurisprudence.
The bill also seeks to expand forest-based industries through the promotion of sustainable timber processing, bamboo enterprises, biomass energy production, community-based forest enterprises, and commercial tree plantations.
MENRE would be authorized to establish timber corridors and provide incentives for investments in sustainable forestry, reforestation, carbon sequestration, and forest-based manufacturing.
The bill requires MENRE to allocate annual funds from the regional budget to support forest conservation, rehabilitation, protection, and development initiatives.
Additional funding may be sourced from national government appropriations, BARMM’s share from national wealth revenues, local government development funds, trust funds, grants, donations, carbon market revenues, rentals, fines, fees, and other financing instruments.
The legislation grants MENRE authority to regulate the utilization of forest resources and requires permits for activities involving production forests, alienable and disposable lands, ancestral domains, and forest areas managed by other government agencies.
The environment minister or an authorized representative would also be empowered to confiscate illegally harvested forest products, as well as the vehicles, equipment, and machinery used in forestry violations.
Forest officers would be given authority to inspect transport vehicles suspected of carrying illegally sourced forest products, conduct investigations, administer oaths, and enter areas covered by forestry agreements and permits.
Under the proposed code, forestry-related cases would be heard by the Bangsamoro Forestry Adjudication Board, which may consider Shari’ah principles and customary adat laws of Bangsamoro and indigenous communities when resolving disputes, provided these remain consistent with the Philippine Constitution, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and national laws.
The bill requires MENRE to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within one year from the law’s enactment in consultation with stakeholders and the forestry sector.
The Bangsamoro Parliament, through its Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, would exercise oversight functions over the implementation of the proposed code and conduct a mandatory review of the law every three years. (LTAIS-PIPMRD/PR)
