Policy on Mangrove Stewardship Agreements

Mobilize forest resources with participation of traditional small-scale mangrove users.
Foster government-community partnership promoting environmental, productive, and culturally appropriate resource management.
Priority on rehabilitation and management of existing mangroves; planting new forests is secondary.
Maintain permanent mangrove forests to support environmental functions and resource supply.
Provide security of tenure and improve socio-economic conditions of coastal communities.
Enhance income and quality of life for participants.

Mangrove forest: tidal flat communities of trees, plants, and marine species.
Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP): national program for forest protection and socio-economic improvement.
Mangrove Stewardship Agreement: contract granting exclusive use rights in exchange for forest management.
Stewardship Area: parcel covered by the agreement.
Stewardship Plan: detailed forest development and management schedule.
Mangrove Steward: participant managing the mangrove area.
Certificate of Mangrove Stewardship: official document includes agreement, plan, and map.
Next of Kin: legal heirs eligible to assume stewardship responsibilities.
Project Area: coastline segment managed as a unit involving agreements.

Filipino citizens of legal age.
Preference to traditional mangrove users, poor and landless residents reliant on mangroves for livelihood.
Residents living within or near mangrove areas.
Excludes absentee claimants, landlords, speculators, and those not personally managing the area.
Coastal infrastructure owners not qualified must allow qualified persons to manage mangrove areas.

All mangrove forests and new plantations covered except:
- Protected wilderness areas free from private claims,
- Areas under other reforestation programs,
- Areas under valid fishpond leases or permits fully developed,
- Parks, preserves, and areas disallowing sustainable use.
Undeveloped or reverted fishpond areas can be restored and covered under this agreement.

DENR encourages active NGO/PO participation.
NGOs/POs act as DENR extensions providing training, assistance, and community organization.
Acknowledges DENR’s limited direct capacity and NGOs’ community presence.

Preference for existing degraded mangrove areas important to residents.
Integration of barren areas with existing forest management preferred.
Presence of willing Stewards and capable NGOs/POs and technicians required.
NGO/PO and ISF technicians inform communities, conduct inventories, organize users, and facilitate allocation and boundary marking.
Assist in stewardship plan development and management training.
Community involvement used to identify further development needs.

Jointly developed by Steward and DENR/NGO.
Includes inventory of vegetation, soils, and key features with mapping.
Phase One (first 3 years): reforestation, stand improvement, enrichment planting, expected regeneration levels.
Phase Two: long-term harvesting and forest maintenance schedules.
Plan must be approved before certificate issuance.

Exclusive peaceful use and harvest rights.
Duty to manage and maintain permanent mangrove forest per approved plan.
Implement Phase One within 2 years.
Individual Stewards must personally manage; hiring tenant labor prohibited; family/friends may assist.
Groups can employ members as paid labor.
Prevent unauthorized land conversion or infrastructure construction.
Report unlawful cutting or destructive activities.
Preserve boundary markers and significant landmarks.

After community allocation approval, applicants file with CENRO.
CENRO conducts parcellary survey; sets control points.
Joint preparation of Stewardship Plan required.
CENRO approves agreements up to 7 hectares; PENRO approves from 8 to 100 hectares; RED approves from 101 to 500 hectares.
Certificate includes agreement, approved plan, and area map.

Effective upon signing; valid for 25 years, renewable for 25 years.
Agreement non-transferable; one agreement per person/organization.
Husband and wife treated as one participant; both named in documents.
Compliance with related laws mandatory.
No fees for initial 5 years; thereafter fees as determined by DENR Secretary.
Construction of new infrastructure prohibited unless authorized.
In the event of Steward’s death or incapacity, qualified next of kin may assume stewardship after DENR approval.
If no kin qualified, area may be reassigned.
Steward has preemption right upon agreement expiry; compensation available if government opts not to reallocate.

DENR may cancel agreement for cause or public interest.
No compensation if cancellation is for cause which includes:
- Failure to comply after written notice within 6 months.
- Unauthorized conversion of mangrove area causing destruction.
- Serious or sustained forestry law violations.
If cancelled without cause, fair compensation for improvements given based on expert valuation minus obligations.
Steward may harvest removable improvements; value deducted from compensation.

Existing upland-style agreements converted to mangrove agreements within one year.
Conversion includes revising plans to conform to new guidelines.
Original agreement start date maintained.
Ineligible holders face cancellation; new qualified Stewards awarded areas.
Areas converted to non-forest uses offered option to revert or face cancellation and possible charges.

Secretary of DENR may issue further guidelines for effective implementation.
This Order supersedes prior related forestry regulations inconsistent with its provisions.
Effective immediately upon adoption.