Pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 of Executive Order No. 192, Sec 1(1) of Republic Act No. 1273, and in consonance with the Department policies on sustainable management of our natural resources and the preservation of environmental integrity and stability through the proper protection of our soil and water resources, Alienable and Disposable areas susceptible to soil erosion shall be planted with permanent trees.

During the field investigation of agricultural lots subject of public land applications, physical attributes of the area concerned shall be considered.

Portions of applied lots susceptible to erosion, such as those demarcated and preserved for forest purposes in accordance with Section 1, DENR AO No. 99-21, along or near the banks of creeks, rivers or any bodies of water, and those with steep (15%-up) slopes, shall be indicated on the sketch of the subject lot.

These portions shall be the subject of tree planting of permanent trees with known economic values by the applicant and no patent shall be issued until said portions are fully planted.

The CENRO concerned shall submit a report, under oath, of full compliance with this condition before the corresponding patent can be issued.

Non-observance of this requirement by the officials concerned shall be dealt with accordingly.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted: 09 Feb. 2000

(SGD.) ANTONIO H. CERILLES
Secretary