Frequently Asked Questions

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The general objective of this act is to optimize the utilization of forest resources to support sustainable development of the country by providing Equitable access and benefit sharing.  

1.  Promotion of general welfare and social justice. 
2. Ensures a balanced and healthy ecology. 
3. Watershed based planning. 
4. Forest management unit oriented. 
5. Enhancing ecosystem services. 
6. No cutting in Old growth forests. 
7. Inclusive governance involving Forest stakeholders.
8. Showcases proper Forest valuation. 
9. Promoting plantations indigenous species. 
10. Climate change adaptation and mitigation. 
11. Promotion of wood biomass as a renewable energy. 
12. Security of tenure for stakeholders. 
13. Promoting stakeholder Investments through the Sustainable Forest Management Fund (SFMF), to be created. 
14. Third-party forestry certification system.
15. Strengthening the FMB as a Line Bureau. 
16. Professionalism in the forestry service. 
17. Liberalized permitting system. 
18. Work-plan-based development and utilization. 

Forest management Unit. (FMU)
A clearly defined forest area assigned for management, based on a set of objectives and a long-term watershed-based management plan. 

Protection FMU

Primary function of protecting life support systems. 

Production FMU

Primary function of producing Forest Products, food energy and or fresh water among others. 

Qualified Managers of FMU 

Qualified and capable persons or entities, which include indigenous and local households, civil society organizations, business organizations, forest land use tenure holders and dedicated national and local government units including government owned and controlled corporations. 

Sustainable Forestry Development Fund. 

Established to provide concessional financing, particularly for forest development projects. proposed by qualified managers of FMU. 

Liberalized Permitting System. 

As long as planted registered and conforming to the prescribed development plan forest products, harvesting permits will no longer be required. 

Inclusive Investment and Development. 

Employees public-private Community Partnerships allowing for Equitable sharing of benefits.

1. More than 50% of forest lands are unproductive mostly under Timberlands classification. 
2. The Forestry sector contribution has been minuscule, with negative growth value. 
3. Forestry can be a trillion peso-industry while espousing biodiversity, conservation, poverty eradication, wood self-sufficiency, water and food security, disaster risk reduction, and community development. 
4. Forestry stakeholders have equities that may be invested in reviving Forestry. 
5. Empowering forestry stakeholders require appropriate policy and institutional mechanisms crucial in recalibrating forestry and promoting sustainable Forest management. 
6. Passing the SFMA to repeal the obsolete PD 705 is the crucial first step in achieving sustainable, Forest Management in Aid of nation-building.