P-Noy signs Forestry Profession Act of 2015

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino has signed a law regulating the practice of forestry in the country, effectively recognizing the importance of professional foresters in nation building and development. 

The objective of Republic Act 10690, also known as the Forestry Profession Act of 2015, is to develop and nurture competent, globally competitive professional foresters who observe the highest standards of excellence. 

Signed into law last Oct. 23, RA10690 governs the examination and licensure of professional foresters, supervision and regulation of the practice of forestry in the country, and the development and upgrade of the curriculum on forestry education. 

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, it will also develop the professional competence of foresters through mandatory continuing professional development  aside from mandating the creation of the Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters, which will be under the administrative supervision of the Professional Regulatory Commission. 

The board will be composed of a chairperson and two members to be appointed by the President through PRC recommendation. 

Foresters applying for licensure examinations must be Filipino citizens with good moral character and have completed a bachelor’s degree in forestry, forestry products engineering or agro-forestry from a school, college or university recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.

Anyone practicing forestry without a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card, or attempting to use or is using the seal, certificate of registration and professional identification card of a registered forester, will be violating the new law.

Abetting the illegal practice of forestry by an unauthorized person and securing a certificate through fraudulent means are also punishable under the law. 

In carrying out the provisions of RA 10690, the board will be assisted by the PRC, accredited professional organizations, government agencies, and private organizations. 

The chairperson of the PRC shall include in the commission’s programs the funding for the forestry board, which will come from the annual government budget.