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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Memorandum Circular No. 97, February 8, 1967 ]

ENJOINING ALL OFFICES CONCERNED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS PROHIBITING UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION AND DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC FORESTS.

WHEREAS, the wanton and indiscriminate destruction of public forests continue unabated; and

WHEREAS, our forests are one of the most important sources of national wealth and water supply, the loss of which will imperial the balance of nature and our people’s very survival;

WHEREAS, all departments, bureaus and offices concerned, particularly the Bureau of Forestry, the Reforestation Administration, the Parks and Wildlife Office, the Philippine Constabulary, the Department of Justice and local governments, are directed to enforce strictly the provisions and to prosecute violators of Section 2751 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 3701, and other laws prohibiting unlawful occupation and destruction of public forests, after sufficient notice to the public to vacate all public forests. The Department of Education shall conduct an information campaign, through lectures and circulars, on the necessity of preserving our public forests for posterity. The Land Authority shall give priority to displaced occupants in the allocation of land under its disposal.1âшphi1

By authority of the President:

(SGD.) RAFAEL M. SALAS
Executive Secretary

Manila, February 8, 1967

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