PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 54, November 16, 1972
PROVIDING SUFFER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL LOGGING
the Philippines, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21,
1972;
WHEREAS, one of the objectives of said Proclamation
is the restoration of peace, order and tranquility throughout the
country in order to give the peace-loving inhabitants the chance to lead
a peaceful, healthy, progressive life, socially, morally, economically
and politically;
WHEREAS, to attain such an objective, it is very
necessary to protect the vital industries of the country from economic
saboteurs and opportunists;
WHEREAS, Philippine forest reserves, being among the
most vital sources of logging and related industries connected with the
local and international economic life of the nation, must be protected
not only by the duly constituted authorities but by every citizen from
being indiscriminately denuded or destroyed, to the detriment of the
present and coming generations;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, in my
capacity as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21,
1972 and Presidential Decree No. 1, dated September 24, 1972, as
amended, do hereby order and decree: that any natural or juridical
person who directly or indirectly cuts, declares, classifies, possesses
or exports logs in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations
shall be penalized as follows:
- Confiscation of the logs in question and payment of fine to be
imposed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations and
suspension of the license and permit to operate for six months during
the cutting period, for the first offense. - Confiscation of the logs in question and payment of fine to
be imposed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations; and
immediate cancellation of the license and permit to operate; and arrest
and detention of the offenders until ordered released by me or by my
duly authorized representative, for the second offense.
All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby
amended or modified accordingly.
This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of November, in the year of
Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-two.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President: (Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA Assistant Executive Secretary