Adopting the Field Manual for Tree Seed Collection, Processing and Certification of Quality Planting Materials and Providing Mechanisms on Its Adoption

DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-21

Subject: Adopting the Field Manual for Tree Seed Collection, Processing and Certification of Quality Planting Materials

Signed: June 30, 2021 . Published: Manila Bulletin, September 18, 2021 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, September 21, 2021.

Purpose

Sets a standard procedure for tree seed collection, processing, testing, and certification, and for accrediting seed sources, seed suppliers, and forest tree nurseries, so that plantations, tree farms, agroforestry, and rehabilitation projects use phenotypically and genetically improved planting materials.

Institutional Structure

• National Forest Tree Seed Committee (NFTSC): chaired by a DENR Undersecretary, with ERDB, FMB, BMB, the Philippine Wood Producers Association, and the Society of Filipino Foresters. Sets policy and a national tree improvement framework, supported by a National Technical Working Group.
• Field Forest Tree Seed Committees (FFTSC): five regional clusters led by ERDB Research Center heads. Review and recommend accreditation, set seed pricing, and train field personnel.
• Forest Tree Seed Centers: receive, process, test, register, and distribute seeds from documented sources.

Key Procedures in the Field Manual

• Selection of seed sources (seed trees, Seed Production Areas, clonal and seedling seed orchards) using a 3-point grading scheme on tree health, stem straightness, forking, circularity, branch angle, thickness, and persistence.
• SPA preconditions: documented seed origin, at least 200 good trees per hectare after roguing, trees 8 to 25 years old, accessible, and pest-free.
• Seed collection, extraction, drying, purity, seed count, moisture content, germination, and seed health testing, with standard forms (Annexes 1 to 9).
• Wildings collection limited to no more than 50% of regeneration around a mother tree.
• Clonal propagation protocols (mist and non-mist cuttings, grafting, tissue culture) for listed indigenous species.

Certification and Accreditation

• Seed lots: certified through the FFTSC; approved applications become seedlot certificates with consignment notes.
• Seed sources and seed suppliers: PHP 500 (individual) or PHP 1,000 (corporation); valid two years.
• Forest tree nurseries: filed with the PENRO/CENRO, reviewed by the FFTSC, approved by the Regional Director; PHP 500 or PHP 1,000; valid two years. Scored on facilities, operator skills, seedling morphology, and capacity (passing score 23 of 38).
• Penalties for nurseries: warning, six-month suspension, then cancellation, for undocumented seed sources or major deviation from planting stock standards.

Use in Government Plantations

Government plantations, tree farms, agroforestry, and urban forestry must use seedlings only from accredited nurseries. Private plantations are encouraged to do the same.

Penalties and Repeal

Unpermitted cutting or damage to trees in SPAs and seed orchards is penalized under Sections 68 and 69 of PD 705. Revokes or modifies DAO 1995-09 and DAO 2010-11.

Effectivity

Takes effect upon ONAR acknowledgment and 15 days after publication.

Relevance: offset and compensatory tree planting under ECC conditions increasingly calls for certified planting stock from accredited nurseries. Signed by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.