Question & AnswerQ&A (DBM NATIONAL BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. 456)
The basic policy is to democratize the use of public forest land by providing secure tenure over mangrove forest lands to qualified individuals or groups to develop and maintain permanent mangrove forests and sustainably enjoy harvests from these areas, in line with national objectives of economic and social development.
Direct benefits include shoreline protection from erosion, wind and wave damage, and harvest of forest and marine products. Indirect benefits include providing vital spawning and nursery grounds and nutrient export that supports other coastal fisheries.
A Mangrove Steward is an individual or group entering into a Mangrove Stewardship Agreement to manage and develop a specific mangrove forest area according to a stewardship plan.
An individual participant may be allocated a total maximum area of seven (7) hectares.
Participants must be Filipino citizens of legal age, have traditionally utilized mangrove resources for livelihood, reside near the mangrove area to be managed, with preference given to poor and landless individuals who rely on mangrove resources. Absentee claimants, landlords, and speculators are disqualified.
Excluded areas include mangrove wilderness areas free of private rights, areas under mangrove reforestation contracts, fishpond leases or permits fully developed, parks or preserves where sustainable use is prohibited, and vegetated areas prepared for fishpond development but not yet leased or developed.
The plan includes the current status of the area (vegetation, soils, maps), Phase One forest development activities for the first three years (reforestation schedules, stand improvement), and Phase Two long-term management (thinning and harvesting schedules).
Rights include exclusive peaceful use and enjoyment of the produce from the Stewardship Area. Responsibilities include managing the area per the approved plan, implementing rehabilitation within two years, preventing unauthorized conversion or construction, preventing destructive activities, and preserving boundary markers.
The agreement is valid for 25 years and may be renewed for another 25 years.
Cancellation may be for cause such as failure to comply within six months after notification, unauthorized conversion of mangrove areas, or serious violation of forestry laws. The government can also cancel if public interest requires it.
The Steward is entitled to fair compensation for forest management-related improvements based on assessed value, minus any government charges, and may harvest improvements that can reasonably be removed.
CENRO approves agreements up to 7 hectares, PENRO approves 8 to 100 hectares, and the Regional Executive Director approves 101 to 500 hectares. The procedure involves community allocation approval, application by the prospective steward, parcellary survey, preparation and approval of the stewardship plan, and issuance of the certificate.
NGOs/POs assist in community organization, education, project monitoring, plan development, and training for coastal resource management, serving as extensions of DENR.
Construction of new landfills, dwellings, walls, wharfs, or other infrastructure on the Stewardship Area without DENR's written authorization is prohibited.
The next of kin may assume responsibility subject to DENR approval. If no qualified kin is willing or able to assume responsibility, DENR may award the agreement to another qualified party.