Law Summary

General Provisions

Basic Policy

• The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to protect and sustainably develop natural resources in public forest lands while improving socio-economic conditions for upland and coastal communities.

Objectives

• The Community Forestry Program (CFP) seeks to: • Initiate community-based forest management and resource utilization. • Protect remaining primary forests with community involvement. • Enhance institutional capacities of DENR, Local Government Units (LGUs), educational institutions, and NGOs.

Definition of Terms

• Key definitions include: • Assisting Organization (AO): An organization contracted by DENR to assist communities. • Community Forestry Management Agreement (CFMA): The agreement granting resource utilization rights and responsibilities to organized communities. • Community Participants: Individuals directly involved in CFP activities.

Principal Features of the Program

Community Forestry Management Agreement (CFMA)

• Communities will receive a 25-year CFMA, renewable for another 25 years, ensuring long-term security for natural resource utilization.
• The CFP implementation consists of three phases: • Pre-Implementation Phase: Involves site selection, community census, and training. • Preparatory Phase: Focuses on community capability development and management skills. • Community Management Phase: Community assumes management responsibilities with DENR assistance.

Pre-Implementation Phase

Information Dissemination

• CENROs must inform potential CFP communities about program features, objectives, and responsibilities.

Coverage of the Program

• Implementable in public upland and coastal lands, excluding: • Critical watersheds and government reservations. • Areas with existing contracts unless waived by involved parties.

Site Identification

• PENROs and CENROs will identify potential sites based on criteria such as community readiness and livelihood opportunities.

Preparatory Phase

CFP Orientation Training

• Conduct orientation for community leaders, AOs, and DENR representatives to clarify roles and objectives.

Community and Organizational Development

• Emphasizes participatory management and the establishment of community organizations for resource management.

Issuance of CFMA

Application for CFMA

• Organized communities must apply for CFMA with necessary documents, including a perimeter map and community registration certificate.

Resource Inventory

Conducting Resource Inventory

• Resource inventory to establish baseline data for resource management and ensure sustainable utilization.

Community Resources Management and Development Plans (CRMDP)

Plan Preparation

• Communities and AOs must prepare a comprehensive CRMDP detailing resource management strategies, which must be approved before resource extraction can commence.

Program Management, Cost Recovery, Trust Fund and Forest Charges

Cost Recovery

• Communities must establish a Community Forestry Development Trust Fund to recover DENR costs, sourcing 30% of gross revenues from forest products.

Forest Charges

• Charges will be collected as per R.A. 7161 and DENR Administrative Order No. 56, Series of 1991.

Monitoring and Process Documentation

Monitoring Responsibilities

• Regional Executive Directors (REDs) are responsible for monitoring project implementation and documenting experiences.

Additional Guidelines

Further Instructions

• The Undersecretary will issue additional instructions for effective implementation and will develop a Manual of Operations within 90 days.

Repealing Clause and Effectivity

Repeal of Previous Orders

• This Order supersedes DENR Administrative Order No. 123, Series of 1989.

Effectivity

• The order takes effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Key Takeaways

• The DENR established the CFP to ensure sustainable forest management while improving community livelihoods.
• The program involves a structured three-phase implementation process with defined roles for communities, AOs, and DENR.
• Significant focus is placed on participatory development, resource management planning, and community empowerment through CFMA.
• Cost recovery mechanisms are established to fund ongoing forest management activities, ensuring sustainability.
• The success of the program relies on comprehensive monitoring and documentation of processes and outcomes.