Creating The Forest Research Institute In The Department Of Natural Resources

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 607

Creation of the Forest Research Institute (FORI)
- FORI is created in the Department of Natural Resources to integrate and conduct forest production and harvesting research nationwide. (Section 1)
- FORI will follow the national forestry research program developed by the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (PCAR). (Section 1)
- Policy-oriented economic research of the Bureau of Forest Development remains with the Bureau. (Section 1)

Transfer of Functions and Resources
- All forest research functions, appropriations, records, equipment, property, and qualified personnel of the Bureau of Forest Development are transferred to FORI, except economic and organization research for planning, programming, and policy formulation. (Section 2)
- FORI and the Bureau of Forest Development will establish a memorandum of agreement for working arrangements and conditions to ensure smooth operation and implementation of forest research programs. (Section 2)

Board of Trustees
- A Board of Trustees is created as the policy-making and governing body of FORI, composed of: (Section 3)
- Secretary of Natural Resources (Chairman)
- Director General, PCAR
- Director, Bureau of Forest Development
- Dean, U.P. College of Forestry
- President, Philippine Forest Research Society
- Director, Forestry Research Division, PCAR
- Two representatives of the forestry sector appointed by the Secretary of Natural Resources upon recommendation of the wood industry association

Functions of the Board of Trustees
- The Board will meet before the end of each fiscal year to approve the next year's research and budgetary programs. (Section 4)
- The Board can also meet anytime upon call by the Chairman to deliberate on urgent matters, including appointments, policy changes, and matters requiring immediate attention. (Section 4)
- The Board is authorized to formulate rules and regulations governing FORI's operations, including staffing and compensation. (Section 5)
- The Board is authorized to construct necessary research and office buildings and facilities, and acquire or purchase necessary sites or equipment. (Section 5)
- The Board will establish at least five Forest Experiment Stations or Regional Research Centers representing each climatic type. (Section 6)

Leadership and Administration
- FORI will be headed by a Director, assisted by an Assistant Director. (Section 7)
- The Director of the PCAR Forestry Research Division will be the ex-officio Director of FORI. (Section 7)
- The Assistant Director will be appointed by the Board and must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, hold at least a Master's degree in Forestry or equivalent experience, and have at least 10 years of experience in forestry research and administration. (Section 7)
- The Director will be charged with all administrative and supervisory functions of FORI, as well as implementing policies and programs adopted by the Board. (Section 8)
- The Director will appoint officers and employees of FORI, subject to Board approval, with priority given to qualified personnel from the Bureau of Forest Development. (Section 9)
- The Director may create divisions and sections within FORI, subject to Board approval. (Section 10)
- The Director may recommend establishing additional experiment stations or research centers as required, subject to Board approval. (Section 10)

Funding
- In addition to general appropriations, a fee of ₱1.00 will be collected for every cubic meter of timber cut for commercial purposes inside public forests and other forested lands, to be used strictly for forest research under FORI. (Section 11)
- The Bureau of Forest Development will collect the fee and remit monthly collections to the National Treasury, forming a Special Fund. (Section 11)
- 90% of the Special Fund will be credited to FORI's account, and 10% to the Bureau of Forest Development for policy-oriented and economic research. (Section 11)
- The fee imposition will commence after Forestry Administrative Order No. 64, series of 1972, is revoked or superseded. (Section 11)

Implementation and Effectivity
- The Board will promulgate rules, regulations, definitions, and instructions for effective implementation of this Decree. (Section 12)
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, it will not affect the validity or legality of other provisions. (Section 13)
- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Decree are revoked or amended accordingly. (Section 14)
- This Decree takes effect upon approval. (Section 15)