Pursuant to Section 12 of Executive Order No. 263 entitled "Adopting Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) as the National Strategy to Ensure the Sustainable Development of the Country's Forest Lands Resources and Providing Mechanisms for its Implementation" and to facilitate the implementation of CBFM in line with the President's thrust to eradicate poverty among the basic sectors of the society, the following guidelines are hereby issued.

1. To simplify the procedures in the processing and approval of CBFMAs, CRMFs, AWPs and RUPs; all provisions of DAO No. 96-29 requiring endorsement/affirmation by concerned local government units and other government agencies are hereby repealed. Instead, the concerned LGUs and government agencies shall be provided with copies of approved CBFMs, CRMFs, AWPs, and RUPs for their reference in assisting the DENR and concerned peoples organization in the implementation of the CBFM Program.

2. The foregoing provision notwithstanding, all REDs, PENROs and CENROs are hereby directed to continue/enhance their close coordination with concerned local government units and other government agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the CBFM Program.

3. Provisions of other DENR Administrative Orders, Memorandum Circulars, other official issuances not consistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

4. This Order shall take immediately after its publication in a general newspaper of national circulation.

Adopted: 22 July 1999

(SGD.) ANTONIO H. CERILLES
Secretary