Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 98-41)
The primary policy objective is to conserve, protect, rehabilitate, and develop forest watershed areas to ensure sustainable water production for various purposes, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.
It adopts Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) as the national strategy to promote sustainable forest management and development.
CBFM projects within watershed reservations must be managed according to the provisions of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, consistent with the principles of multiple use, sustainable management, and biological diversity conservation.
Local communities, tenured migrants, and indigenous peoples are recognized, supported, and promoted as legitimate participants managing watershed resources.
The objectives include enhancing conservation and rehabilitation of watersheds, providing livelihood opportunities and improving socio-economic well-being of local communities, and encouraging active participation and strengthening capabilities for sustainable resource management.
The appropriate Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) must be involved in all phases of CBFM implementation.
The CRMF and AWP must be consistent with the Initial Protected Area Plan (IPAP) and, upon endorsement of the PAMB, affirmed by the PASU and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) concerned.
Strategies include protection from fire, encroachment, illegal logging, conservation of biological diversity, rehabilitation and reforestation of denuded areas, and promotion of land uses that increase productivity and conserve resources.
Priority is given to non-timber species, abandoned logs, fallen timber and dead trees, plantation timber species, and lesser-used species with a focus on sustainable, non-destructive practices.
Part of the income shall accrue to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) as agreed by the People’s Organization and PAMB, and shall be reinvested for watershed resource improvement, protection, and community development activities.
Existing ADMPs and CRMFs affirmed before the order remain valid and in force. They shall be reviewed and amended to align with the order once the Initial Protected Area Plan (IPAP) is prepared.
The endorsement of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) is required before issuing the appropriate tenurial instrument.
DAO No. 98-41 amends provisions applicable to the entire watershed reservation and supersedes inconsistent previous regulations related to CBFM within watershed reservations.
It took effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and its submission to the UP Law Center.