Immediate Implementation of Government Agro-Forest Development Pilot Project in Mindoro Occidental

October 2, 1978

LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 747

WHEREAS, under Proclamation No. 1632 issued on 30 March 1977, certain parcels of lands situated in the province of Mindoro Occidental have been reserved for agro-forest development purposes under the administration and management of the Ministry of Natural Resources; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary that the pilot project in the said reserved area now be implemented so as to start generating the required data on the effective conservation and optimum utilization of such lands in order that the valuable information and experience that will be gathered in this pioneering venture may be disseminated to various sectors for the economic development and progress of the country. casia

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, Prime Minister of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby issue the following instructions:

1. The Minister of Natural Resources who is chairman of the Integrated Regional Development Committee for the two Mindoros, shall take charge of the immediate implementation of the government agro-forest development pilot project described in Proclamation No. 1632.

2. The Minister of Natural Resources is hereby authorized to call upon any government office or personnel thereof to render assistance in the implementation of the project. In this connection, the Minister of Natural Resources shall fix the additional remuneration or emoluments that may be received by the government personnel involved in the implementation of the project. He is further authorized to engage the services of experts, specialists, and consultants from the private sector and fix their compensation.

3. The Minister of Natural Resources, the Director of Forest Development and the Director of Lands shall cancel, revoke or otherwise terminate pasture leases, permits, concessions and other applications covering any portion of the reserved areas, and shall provide resettlement, relocation, or exchange areas in accordance with regulations to be issued by the Minister of Natural Resources.

4. The Minister of Natural Resources is authorized to use funds appropriated for his Ministry and such funds as may hereafter be provided in the development of the reserved areas; in the resettlement of the various ranchers and small settlers to selected sites; and in compensating them for the value of improvements or of titled properties in the reserved areas.

5. The Minister of Public Highways shall ensure the proper maintenance of the existing roads and bridges with the project area and construct new roads and bridges when and where necessary for the successful implementation of the project.

6. The National Irrigation Administration shall immediately take steps for the construction of reservoirs or catchment basins within the project area from the rivers surrounding or traversing the reserved areas, and thereafter shall operate the irrigation system in accordance with its regulations to ensure equitable distribution of the irrigation water to the project and to the small farmers located downstream.

7. The Administrator of the National Grains Authority shall assist in the marketing of the produce which shall include price supports, programs for goods intended in the domestic market and warehouse for goods intended in the export market.

8. The Chief of Constabulary, through the Philippine Constabulary Command and the Integrated National Police of Occidental Mindoro, shall assist in the orderly transfer of all affected ranchers, small settlers and owners of titled land to the selected relocation sites; in the ejectment of squatters within the project and within the selected relocation or resettlement sites; in the protection of the watersheds within a 25-kilometer radius from the project area; and in the general maintenance of law and order within the vicinity. cdt

9. The Director General of PCARR, the Director of the Forest Research Institute, the Director of Plant Breeding Institute and the Director of Soils shall undertake complementary researches in the reserved areas as well as coordinate in the dissemination and monitoring of all research findings and provide such experts and specialists as may be needed for the project.

10. The Minister of Natural Resources, the Director of Forest Development, the Director of Plant Industry, and the Director of the Forest Research Institute shall establish a system of monitoring and documenting all data gathered during the implementation of the pilot project, and thereafter shall disseminate such information to the surrounding communities and to other parts of the country for use in the implementation of similar undertakings.

11. The Budget Commissioner shall release to the Ministry of Natural Resources the initial sum of ELEVEN MILLION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY THREE THOUSAND PESOS from funds already appropriated for the current fiscal year for use in the project, and expedite the release of funds to the agencies and offices which have participation in the project. To ensure continuous and unimpeded operations within the project, especially during crucial seasonal activities, the proceeds realized from produce within the project or such portions of such proceeds as may be necessary as determined by the Minister of Natural Resources, shall be made available for such purposes. cd

All Letter of Instructions or Implementation, Executive Orders, Department Orders or Circulars, Rules and Regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Eight. cdt