Laws and Policies

Policy

“Policy is the outlines of what a government is going to do and what it can achieve for the society as a
whole. “Policy” also means what a government does not intend to do. It also evolves the principles that
are needed for achieving the goal. Policies are only documents and not law, but these policies can lead
to new laws.”
Law

“Laws are set standards, principles, and procedures that must be followed in society. Law is mainly
made for implementing justice in the society. There are various types of laws framed like criminal laws,
civil laws, and international laws. While a law is framed for bringing justice to the society, a policy is
framed for achieving certain goals.”
What is the difference between a law and a policy?

It is important to understand the difference between a policy and a law.

A policy outlines what a government ministry hopes to achieve and the methods and principles it will use to achieve
them. It states the goals of the ministry. A policy document is not a law but it will often identify new laws needed to
achieve its goals.

Laws set out standards, procedures and principles that must be followed. If a law is not followed, those responsible for
breaking them can be prosecuted in court.

So, policy sets out the goals and planned activities of a ministry and department but it may be necessary to pass a law to
enable government to put in place the necessary institutional and legal frameworks to achieve their aims. Laws must be
guided by current government policy.
What is the difference between a law and a policy?

Laws are for the people, and policies are made in the name of the people. Policies can be called a set of rules that guide
any government or any organization. Laws are administered through the courts. Laws are enforceable in which the
policies comply.

A law is more formal as it is a system of rules and guidelines that are derived for the welfare and equity in society. A
policy is just informal as it is just a statement or a document of what is intended to be done in the future
 I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1. Royal Decree of June, 1863 – established the Inspeccion general de Montes, the first forestry service in

Philippines.

2. Gen. Order 50 dated April 14, 1900 – changed Inspeccion General de Montes to Bureau of Forestry.

3. Act No. 1989 dated April 14, 1910 – creation of Forest School of the College of Agriculture at UPLB.

4. August 28, 1948 – Society of Filipino Foresters was formed.

5. Rep. Act 6239 dated June 1971 – An Act to regulate the practice of forestry profession in the Philippines.
II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

1. Art II. Sec. 15 – State protection to people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

RA 9275 Clean water act

RA 8749 Clean air act

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

2. Art. II, Sec. 21 – State to promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform

RA 6657 Agrarian reform law

RA 7942 Philippine Mining act of 1995

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

5. Art X, Sec. 7 – local governments are entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization
and development of natural resources.

RA 7160 Local government Code

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

3. Art II. Sec. 22 – rights of ICCs within the framework of national unity and development

RA 8371 IPRA 1997

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

4. Art. II. Sec. 23 – State to encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations

that promote the welfare of the nation.

Role of LGUs
II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

6. Art. XII, Sec. 1 – three goals of national economy.

EO 318 Sustainable forest management

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

7. Art XII, Sec. 2 – Regalian Doctrines; exploration, development and utilization of natural resources.
II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

8. Art. XII, Sec. 3 – classification of lands of the public

II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

9. Art XII, Sec. 5 – State protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral
lands.
II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

10. Art. XIII, Sec. 5 – application of agrarian reform or stewardship to areas suitable to agriculture.
II. RELEVANT CONSITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

11. Art XIII, Sec. 16 – people’s organization.