Adopting community-based forest management as the National strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country's forestlands resources and providing mechanisms for its implementation

Case Overview and Summary

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 263

Adopting Community-Based Forest Management as the National Strategy

• Adopts community-based forest management (CBFM) as the national strategy to ensure sustainable development of forestlands and social justice. (Section 1)

• DENR to consider needs and aspirations of local communities dependent on forestlands, in coordination with local government units and DILG. (Section 2)

• Organized communities may be granted access to forestland resources under long-term tenurial agreements, provided they use environment-friendly, ecologically-sustainable, and labor-intensive harvesting methods specified in a site-specific management plan approved by DENR. (Section 3)

• Indigenous peoples may participate in CBFM activities in recognition of their rights to ancestral domains and land rights. (Section 4)

• Creates a CBFM Steering Committee headed by DENR with members from various government agencies and private organizations to formulate policy guidelines and create necessary incentives and conditions for CBFM implementation. (Section 5)

• DENR to work with local governments, people's organizations, NGOs, religious groups, business, and other organizations to empower communities to initiate and achieve CBFM objectives. (Section 6)

• DENR to allot adequate funds for CBFM targets in its budget preparation and seek supplementary funding from local and foreign supporting agencies and organizations. (Section 7)

• DENR to establish a Community-based Forest Management Special Account (CBFMSA) to support CBFM implementation and provide incentives for deserving communities and government personnel. (Section 8)

• DENR may source local and international grants and donations for the CBFMSA. (Section 9)

• DENR to set up community forestry training programs jointly with relevant colleges, universities, private and public organizations for participating units. (Section 10)

• Within six months, DENR to create favorable financing mechanisms with government financial institutions for communities and organizations pursuing CBFM and related sub-strategies. (Section 11)

• DENR Secretary to issue new rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines necessary for CBFM implementation and repeal or modify existing ones as per CBFM Steering Committee policies. (Section 12)

• Within six months, DENR Secretary to submit a National Comprehensive Community Forestry Action Plan to the President, embodying short, medium and long-term plans, approved by the CBFM Steering Committee. (Section 13)

• Repeals or amends previous issuances inconsistent with this Order. (Section 14)