Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 318)
The policy declared in Executive Order No. 318 is the pursuit of sustainable management of forests and forestlands in watersheds, managed in a holistic, scientific, rights-based, technology-based, and community-based manner, observing principles of multiple-use, decentralization, devolution, and active participation of LGUs to promote sound, effective, and equitable forestry practices.
Watersheds are deemed as ecosystem management units and are to be managed holistically, scientifically, rights-based, technology-based, and community-based, while considering economic, ecological, social, and cultural objectives.
CBFM is the primary strategy for all forest conservation and development activities, including joint ventures and production sharing. It is a collaborative undertaking between national government, LGUs, local peoples, community organizations, CSOs, and private business entities.
Logging or any commercial exploitation of forestry resources in old growth forests, proclaimed watersheds, and areas covered by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) is prohibited to ensure the perpetual existence of native plants and animals.
Conversion of forestlands into non-forestry uses is allowed only through an act of Congress and upon the recommendation of concerned government agencies.
State forestlands shall be identified, classified, and demarcated on the ground, constitute the permanent forest estate unless otherwise stipulated by Congress, and be categorized as primarily for production or protection purposes, both under formal management schemes.
The government shall provide a favorable and stable policy and investment environment to promote efficient, globally-competitive, and environment-friendly forest-based industries, encouraging Filipino entrepreneurship, providing incentives, deregulating privately-developed forests, and supporting value-added processing.
The Order encourages mechanisms such as proper valuation and pricing of forest products and services, local and national plow-back mechanisms for proceeds, environment and natural resources accounting, and innovative financing systems like securitization, bonds, and collaborative investments.
Their local cultures, values, traditions, religious beliefs, and rights to ancestral lands and domains, as defined by existing legislation, are recognized and respected in all forestry undertakings by the State and private sector.
It mandates adoption of good governance principles (transparency, accountability, participatory decision-making), partnerships among government agencies, LGUs, organizations and stakeholders, upgrading and modernization of forestry systems, academic and scientific research support, rationalized human resource development, and inclusion of forest land use in LGUs’ comprehensive land use plans.