Creating a Special Committee for the Resettlement of Kaingineros Within the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 494

Creation of the Makiling Kainginero Resettlement Committee
• A committee called the Makiling Kainginero Resettlement Committee is created. (Section 1)
• The committee is composed of representatives from various government agencies and the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) as the chairman. (Section 1)

Functions of the Committee
• Set guidelines for the integrated development of the resettlement area and the settlers. (Section 2a)
• Make a development plan for the area, including establishing necessary facilities. (Section 2b)
• Clear the resettlement area of trees and other vegetation. (Section 2c)
• Determine the kaingineros in Mt. Makiling to be resettled. (Section 2d)
• Supervise and direct the construction of facilities in the resettlement area, jointly with other agencies. (Section 2e)

Authority of the Committee
• Call upon any government agency for assistance in developing the resettlement area. (Section 3a)
• Disburse funds for the development of the resettlement area and the committee's operational expenses, subject to auditing and accounting requirements. (Section 3b)
• The chairman shall sign requests for disbursement of funds under the committee's disposition. (Section 3c)
• Request for appropriations and/or allotment of funds for the resettlement area and the committee's operational expenses. (Section 3d)
• The majority decision of the committee members regarding the development and disbursement of funds shall be final, subject to the President's approval. (Section 3)

Reporting and Oversight
• The committee shall submit a quarterly report to the President on accomplishments, problems, solutions, and expenditures in the development of the resettlement area. (Section 4)

Resettlement Area
• The area proclaimed as a settlement reservation under Proclamation No. 1540 is segregated and excluded from the timber concession of the International Hardwood & Veneer Company of the Philippines, holder of Timber License Agreement No. 27-A. (Section 5)
• The clearing of the resettlement area of all trees, except those needed for river bank protection, shall be the responsibility of the committee. (Section 6)

Timber Harvesting and Funds
• The existing timber inside the resettlement area shall be harvested, and the proceeds shall be used for the development of the resettlement area and the committee's operational expenses. (Section 7)
• UPLB is designated as the trustee of the fund and shall disburse the same pursuant to existing government accounting and auditing procedures upon request of the committee. (Section 8)