WHEREAS, a petition has been filed for the release of the areas covered by Proclamation No. 208, series of 1929, which established the Batan Island Forest Reserve;

WHEREAS, the findings of the Director of Mines show that the area sought to be released from the Batan Island Forest Reserve appears to be highly mineralized;

WHEREAS, under the provisions of section fourteen of Commonwealth Act Numbered One hundred and thirty-seven, as amended, otherwise known as the Mining Act, lands within reservations for purposes other than mining, which, after such reservation is made, are found to be more valuable for their mineral contents than for the purposes for which the reservation was made, may be withdrawn from such reservation by the President with the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines.

NOW, THEREFORE, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and pursuant to the provisions of section fourteen of Common-wealth Act Numbered One hundred and thirty-seven, as amended, otherwise known as the Mining Act, I hereby revoke Proclamation No. 208, dated January 12, 1929, and declare the area embraced thereunder open to disposition under the provisions of the Mining Act, provided, that the cutting, removal, and utilization of timber and other forest products therefrom shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the existing Forest and Internal Revenue Laws and Regulations.

This proclamation shall take effect only upon the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eleventh. 


By the President:

FORTUNATO DE LEON
Executive Secretary