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E.O. 292 “Revised Administrative Code”

Title XIV

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. -

(1) The State shall ensure, for the benefit of the Filipino people, the full exploration and development as well
as the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and conservation of the country's forest,
mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, off-shore areas and other natural resources, consistent with the
necessity of maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of the
environment and the objective of making the exploration, development and utilization of such natural
resources equitably accessible to the different segments of the present as well as future generations.

(2) The State shall likewise recognize and apply a true value system that takes into account social and
environmental cost implications relative to the utilization, development and conservation of our natural
resources.

Section 2. Mandate. -

(1) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall be primarily responsible for the
implementation of the foregoing policy.

(2) It shall, subject to law and higher authority, be in charge of carrying out the State's constitutional
mandate to control and supervise the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's
natural resources.

Section 3. Guidelines for Implementation. - In the discharge of its responsibility the Department shall be guided by
the following objectives:

(1) Assure the availability and sustainability of the country's natural resources through judicious use and
systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;

(2) Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for the products from forest,
mineral, land and water resources of a growing population;

(3) Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development;

(4) Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population; and

(5) Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural
heritage for present and future generations.

Section 4. Powers and Functions. - The Department shall:

(1) Advise the President and the Congress on the enactment of laws relative to the exploration,
development, use, regulation and conservation of the country's natural resources and the control of
pollution;

(2) Formulate, implement and supervise the implementation of the government's policies, plans and
programs pertaining to the management, conservation, development, use and replenishment of the country's
natural resources;

(3) Promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with law governing the exploration, development,
conservation, extraction, disposition, use and such other commercial activities tending to cause the
depletion and degradation of our natural resources;

(4) Exercise supervision and control over forest lands, alienable and disposable public lands, mineral
resources and, in the process of exercising such control, impose appropriate taxes, fees, charges, rentals
and any such form of levy and collect such revenues for the exploration, development, utilization or
gathering of such resources;
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(5) Undertake the exploration, assessment, classification and inventory of the country's natural resources,
using ground surveys, remote sensing and complementary technologies;

(6) Promote proper and mutual consultation with the private sector on matters involving natural resources
exploration, development, use and conservation;

(7) Undertake geological surveys of the whole country including its territorial waters;

(8) Issue licenses and permits for activities related to the use and development of aquatic resources,
treasure hunting, salvaging of sunken vessels and other similar activities:

(9) Establish policies and implement programs for the:

(a) Accelerated inventory, survey and classification of lands, forest and mineral resources, using
appropriate technology, to be able to come up with a more accurate assessment of resource quality
and quantity;

(b) Equitable distribution of natural resources through the judicious administration, regulation,
utilization, development and conservation of public lands, forest, water and mineral resources
(including mineral reservation areas), that would benefit a greater number of Filipinos;

(c) Promotion, development and expansion of natural resource-based industries;

(d) Preservation of cultural and natural heritage through wildlife conservation and segregation of
national parks and other protected areas;

(e) Maintenance of a wholesome natural environment by enforcing environmental protection laws;

and

(f) Encouragement of greater people participation and private initiative in rural resource
management;

(10) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to:

(a) Accelerate cadastral and emancipation patent surveys, land use planning and public land titling:

(b) Harness forest resources in a sustainable manner, to assist rural development, support forest-
based industries, and provide raw materials to meet increasing demands, at the same time keeping
adequate reserves for environmental stability;

(c) Expedite mineral resources surveys, promote the production of metallic and non-metallic
minerals and encourage mineral marketing;

(d) Assure conservation and judicious and sustainable development of aquatic resources.

(11) Assess, review and provide direction to, in coordination with concerned government agencies, energy
research and development programs, including identification of sources of energy and determination of their
commercial feasibility for development;

(12) Regulate the development, disposition, extraction, exploration and use of the country's forest, land,
water and mineral resources;

(13) Assume responsibility for the assessment, development, protection, licensing and regulation as
provided for by law, where applicable, of all energy and natural resources; the regulation and monitoring of
service contractors, licensees, lessees, and permit for the extraction, exploration, development and use of
natural resources products; the implementation of programs and measures with the end in view of promoting
close collaboration between the government and the private sector; the effective and efficient classification
and subclassification of lands of the public domain; and the enforcement of natural resources and
environmental laws, rules and regulations;

(14) Promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines on the issuance of licenses, permits, concessions, lease
agreements and such other privileges concerning the development, exploration and utilization of the
country's marine, freshwater, and brackish water and over all aquatic resources of the country and shall
continue to oversee, supervise and police our natural resources; cancel or cause to cancel such privileges
upon failure, non-compliance or violations of any regulation, order, and for all other causes which are in
furtherance of the conservation of natural resources and supportive of the national interest;
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(15) Exercise exclusive jurisdiction on the management and disposition of all lands of the public domain and
serve as the sole agency responsible for classification, sub-classification, surveying and titling of lands in
consultation with appropriate agencies;

(16) Implement measures for the regulation and supervision of the processing of forest products, grading
and inspection of lumber and other forest products and monitoring of the movement of timber and other
forest products;

(17) Promulgate rules and regulations for the control of water, air and land pollution;

(18) Promulgate ambient and effluent standards for water and air quality including the allowable levels of
other pollutants and radiations;

(19) Promulgate policies, rules and regulations for the conservation of the country's genetic resources and
biological diversity, and endangered habitats;

(20) Formulate an integrated, multi-sectoral, and multi-disciplinary National Conservation Strategy, which will
be presented to the Cabinet for the President's approval;

(21) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

Section 5. Organizational Structure. - The Department shall consist of the Department Proper, the Staff Offices, the
Staff Bureaus, and the Regional Offices, Provincial Offices and Community Offices.

CHAPTER 2
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER

Section 6. Composition. - The Department Proper shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of
the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, and the Public Affairs Office, Special Concerns Office, and the
Pollution Adjudication Board.

Section 7. Office of the Secretary. - The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary and his immediate
staff.

Section 8. The Secretary. - The Secretary shall:

(1) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations and other issuances relative to the
conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's natural resources;

(2) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations of the Department in
accordance with the programs of the government;

(3) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances necessary in carrying out the Department's mandate,
objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects.

(4) Exercise supervision and control over all functions and activities of the Department;

(5) Delegate authority for the performance of any administrative or substantive function to subordinate
officials of the Department; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the President.

Section 9. Undersecretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by five (5) Undersecretaries upon the
recommendation of the Secretary. The Secretary is thereby authorized to delineate, assign and/or reassign the
respective functional areas of responsibility of each Undersecretary, Provided, That such responsibility shall be with
respect to the mandate and objectives of the Department; and Provided, further, That no Undersecretary shall be
assigned primarily administrative responsibilities. Within his functional area of responsibility, an Undersecretary shall
have the following functions:

(1) Advise the Secretary in the promulgation of Department orders, administrative orders and other
issuances, with respect to his area of responsibility;

(2) Exercise supervision and control over the offices, services, operating units and officers and employees
under his responsibility;
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(3) Promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with Department policies, that will efficiently and effectively
govern the activities of units under his responsibility;

(4) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility with those of other units under
the responsibility of other Undersecretaries;

(5) Exercise such authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the functions and activities
of units under his responsibility to the extent granted by the Secretary through administrative issuances; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

Section 10. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary and the Undersecretaries shall, in the formulation, management
and implementation of natural resources laws, policies, plans and programs and projects, also be assisted by seven
(7) Assistant Secretaries who shall be responsible for the following: one (1) for Policy and Planning Studies, one (1)
for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, one (1) for Field Operations in Luzon, one (1) for Field Operations in the
Visayas, and one (1) for Field Operations in Mindanao, one (1) for Legal Affairs, and one (1) for Management
Services.

Section 11. Public Affairs Office. - The Public Affairs Office, under the Office of the Secretary, shall be headed by a
Director to be assisted by an Assistant Director, and shall serve as the public information arm of the Department. It
shall be responsible for disseminating information on natural resources development policies, plans, programs and
projects and respond to public queries related to the development and conservation of natural resources.

Section 12. Special Concerns Office. - The Special Concerns Office, also under the Office of the Secretary, shall be
headed by a Director to be assisted by an Assistant Director, and shall be responsible for handling priority areas or
subjects identified by the Secretary which necessitate special and immediate attention.

Section 13. Pollution Adjudication Board. - The Pollution Adjudication Board, under the Office of the Secretary, shall
be composed of the Secretary as Chairman, two Undersecretaries as may be designated by the Secretary, the
Director of Environmental Management, and three others to be designated by the Secretary as members. The
Board shall assume the powers and functions of the Commission/Commissioners of the National Pollution Control
Commission with respect to the adjudication of pollution cases under Republic Act 3931 and Presidential Decree
984, particularly with respect to Section 6 letters (e), (f), (g), (j), (k) and (p) of P.D. 984. The Environmental
Management Bureau shall serve as the Secretariat of the Board. These powers and functions may be delegated to
the regional officers of the Department in accordance with rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Board.

CHAPTER 3
THE STAFF SECTORAL BUREAUS

Section 14. Forest Management Bureau. - The Forest Management Bureau shall be headed by a Director and
assisted by an Assistant Director, and shall integrate and absorb the powers of the Bureau of Forest Development
and the Wood Industry Development Authority which were abolished by Executive Order No. 131, except those line
functions and powers thereof which are transferred to the regional field office.

It shall advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to forest development and conservation. As its primary functions,
it shall:

(1) Recommend policies and/or programs for the effective protection, development, occupancy,
management and conservation of forest lands and watersheds, including the grazing and mangrove areas;
reforestation and rehabilitation of critically denuded or degraded forest reservations, improvement of water
resource use and development, development of national parks, preservation of wilderness areas, game
refuges and wildlife sanctuaries, ancestral lands, wilderness areas and other natural preserves,
development of forest plantations, including rattan, bamboo, and other valuable non-timber forest resources;
and rationalization of the wood-based industries, regulation of the utilization and exploitation of forest
resources, including wildlife, to ensure continuous supply of forest and goods and services;

(2) Advise the regional offices in the implementation of the above policies and/or programs;

(3) Develop plans, programs, operating standards and administrative measures to promote the Bureau's
objectives and functions;

(4) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of forestry and watershed development projects to ensure
efficiency and effectiveness;
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(5) Undertake studies on the economics of forestry and forest-based industries, including supply and
demand trends on the local, national and international levels, identifying investment problems and
opportunities in various areas; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

Section 15. Lands Management Bureau. - The Lands Management Bureau, to be headed by Director and assisted
by an Assistant Director, shall absorb the functions and powers of the Bureau of Lands abolished by Executive
Order No. 131, except those line functions and powers thereof which are transferred to the regional field offices.

It shall advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to rational management and disposition and shall have the
following functions:

(1) Recommend policies and programs for the efficient and effective administration, surveys, management
and disposition of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain and other lands outside the
responsibilities of other government agencies, such as reclaimed areas and other areas not needed for or
are not being utilized for the purposes for which they have been established;

(2) Advise the Regional Offices on the efficient and effective implementation of policies, programs and
projects for more effective public lands management;

(3) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of land surveys, management and disposition of lands to ensure
efficiency and effectiveness thereof;

(4) Issue standards, guidelines, regulations and orders to enforce policies for the maximization of land use
and development;

(5) Develop operating standards and procedures to promote the Bureau's objectives and functions; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

Section 16. Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau. - The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, to be headed by a Director
and assisted by an Assistant Director shall absorb the functions of the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences, Mineral
Reservation Development Board, and the Gold Mining Development Board which were abolished by Executive
Order No. 131, except line functions and powers thereof which are transferred to the regional field offices.

It shall advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to geology and mineral resources exploration, development,
utilization and conservation and shall:

(1) Recommend policies, regulations or programs pertaining to mineral resources development and geology;

(2) Advise the Secretary on the granting of mining rights and contracts over areas containing metallic and
non-metallic mineral resources;

(3) Advise the Regional Offices on the effective implementation of mineral development and conservation
programs as well as geological surveys;

(4) Recommend policies, regulations and oversee the development and exploitation of mineral resources of
the sea within the country's jurisdiction such as silica sand, gold placer, magnetic and chromite sand, etc;

(5) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Bureau's programs and projects to ensure efficiency and
effectiveness thereof;

(6) Develop and promulgate standards and operating procedures on mineral resources development and
geology;

(7) Supervise and control the development and packaging of nationally applicable technologies on
geological survey, mineral resource assessment, mining and metallurgy; the provision of geological,
metallurgical, chemical and rock mechanics laboratory services; the conduct of marine geological and
geophysical survey and natural exploration drilling programs; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

Section 17. Environmental Management Bureau. - The Environmental Management Bureau, to be headed by a
Director who shall be assisted by an Assistant Director shall, subject to the provisions of this Code relative to the
Pollution Adjudication Board, absorb and integrate the powers and functions of the National Environmental
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Protection Council, the National Pollution Control Commission, and the Environmental Center of the Philippines
which are hereby abolished.

It shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to environmental management, conservation, and pollution control,
and shall:

(1) Recommend possible legislation, policies and programs for environmental management and pollution
control;

(2) Advise the Regional Offices in the efficient and effective implementation of policies, programs, and
projects for the effective and efficient environmental management and pollution control;

(3) Formulate environmental quality standards such as the quality standards for water, air, land, noise and
radiations;

(4) Recommend rules and regulation for environmental impact assessments and provide technical
assistance for their implementation and monitoring;

(5) Formulate rules and regulations for the proper disposition of solid wastes, toxic and hazardous
substances;

(6) Advise the Secretary on the legal aspects of environmental management and pollution control and assist
in the conduct of public hearings in pollution cases;

(7) Provide secretariat assistance to the Pollution Adjudication Board;

(8) Coordinate the inter-agency committees that may be created for the preparation of the State of the
Philippine Environment Report and the National Conservation Strategy;

(9) Provide assistance to the Regional Office in the formulation and dissemination of information on
environmental and pollution matters to the general public;

(10) Assist the Secretary and the Regional Officers by providing technical assistance in the implementation
of environmental and pollution laws; and

(11) Provide scientific assistance to the Regional Offices in the conduct of environmental research
programs.

Section 18. Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau. - The Ecosystems Research and Development
Bureau, to be headed by a Director and assisted by an Assistant Director, shall absorb the powers and functions of
the Forest Research Institute and the National Mangrove Committee, which are hereby abolished.

It shall:

(1) Formulate and recommend an integrated research program relating to Philippine ecosystems and natural
resources such as minerals, lands, forests, as holistic and interdisciplinary fields of inquiry;

(2) Assist the Secretary in determining a system of priorities for the allocation of resources to various
technological research programs of the department;

(3) Provide technical assistance in the implementation and monitoring of the aforementioned research
programs;

(4) Generate technologies and provide scientific assistance in the research and development of
technologies relevant to the sustainable uses of Philippine ecosystems and natural resources; and

(5) Assist the Secretary in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the implementation of the integrated
research programs.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau shall directly manage and administer the Forest Research
Institute Research Offices, laboratories, and forest experiment stations located at UP Los Baños and such other
field laboratories as the Secretary may assign to its direct supervision. The Bureau shall coordinate all technological
researches undertaken by the field offices, assess and translate all recommendable findings and disseminate such
findings for all possible users and clientele.
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Section 19. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. - The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, to be headed by a
Director and assisted by an Assistant Director, shall absorb the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Marine Parks
Program of the Bureau of Forest Development as well as the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary,
Presidential Committee on the Conservation of Tamaraw, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (formerly Parks
and Wildlife Nature Center), shares in Kabuhayan Program and Agro Forestry State Projects of the KKK Processing
Authority, all national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game preserves previously managed and administered by the
Ministry of Human Settlement including National Parks Reservation situated in the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal,
Laguna and Quezon formerly declared as Bagong Lipunan Sites of said Ministry, Magat Forest Reservation and Mt.
Arayat National Park, formerly with the Ministry of Tourism.

The Bureau shall:

(1) Formulate and recommend policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for the establishment and
management of an Integrated Protected Areas Systems such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and
refuge, marine parks, and biospheric reserves;

(2) Formulate and recommend policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for the preservation of biological
diversity, genetic resources, the endangered Philippine flora and fauna;

(3) Prepare an up-to-date listing of endangered Philippine flora and fauna and recommend a program of
conservation and propagation of the same;

(4) Assist the Secretary in the monitoring and assessment of the management of the Integrated Protected
Areas System and provide technical assistance to the Regional Offices in the implementation of programs
for these areas; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

CHAPTER 4
THE DEPARTMENT FIELD OFFICES

Section 20. Field Offices of the Department. - The Field offices of the Department are the Environmental and
Natural Resources Regional Offices in the thirteen (13) administrative regions of the country; the Environment and
Natural Resources Provincial Office in every province, and the Community Office in every municipality, whenever
deemed necessary.

Section 21. Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office. - A Regional Office shall be directly under the
supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Field Operations and shall be headed by a Regional Executive
Director (with the rank of Regional Director) who shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Regional Technical Directors,
(with the rank of Assistant Regional Director), one (1) each for Forestry, for Lands Management, for Mines and Geo-
Sciences, Environmental Management and Ecosystems Research, respectively, and who shall be Career Executive
Service Officers.

An Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office shall be located in the identified regional capital and shall
have the following functions:

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, and rules and regulations of the Department to
promote the sustainability and productivity of natural resources, social equity in natural resource utilization
and environmental protection;

(2) Provide efficient and effective delivery of services to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, agencies in the region and local
government units in the enforcement of natural resource conservation laws and regulations, and in the
formulation/implementation of natural resource programs and projects;

(4) Recommend and, upon approval, implement programs and projects on forestry, minerals, and land
management and disposition;

(5) Conduct a comprehensive inventory of natural resources in the region and formulate regional short and
long-term development plans for the conservation, utilization and replacement of natural resources;

(6) Evolve respective regional budget in conformity with the priorities established by the Regional
Development Councils;
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(7) Supervise the processing of natural resources products, grade and inspect minerals, lumber and other
wood processed products, and monitor the movement of these products;

(8) Conduct field researches for appropriate technologies recommended for various projects; and

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

Section 22. Provincial and Community Offices. - The Natural resources provincial and community offices shall each
be headed by a provincial natural resource officer and community natural resource officer, respectively. They shall
take over the functions of the district offices of the former Bureau of Forest Development, Bureau of Lands, and
Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences.

CHAPTER 5
ATTACHED AGENCIES AND CORPORATIONS

Section 23. Attached Agencies and Corporations. - The following agencies and corporations shall be attached to
and under the administrative supervision of the Department:

(1) National Mapping and Research Information Authority;

(2) National Electrification Administration; and

(3) National Resources Development Corporation.

The agencies attached to the Department shall continue to operate and function in accordance with the respective
laws creating them, except as otherwise provided in this Code.