A3. Conduct of policy dialogues
The SFFI led two policy dialogues with the TWG to draft the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Bill with respect to the seven bills filed. A total of 16 representatives from 7 organizations (UPLB-CFNR 2, FMB 2, DENR 1, FDC 3, PWPA 1, FAO 1, and RP 3) participated in the dialogues that was held at Abagatan ti Manila Hotel, Alfonso, Cavite City on 11-12 May 2018. Highlights of the said activity is the (1) drafting of SFM Bill articles and sections using the outcomes of the reviews; (2) presentation, discussion, and agreement on the form and content; and (3) consolidation of output leading to the draft SFM Bill. It was agreed also that the draft Bill will be “cleaned” and presented in another round of dialogue before it be endorsed. The second round of dialogue was conducted at the FMB Assistant Director’s Conference Room, Quezon City on 29 June 2018 with total participants of 13 representatives from 6 organizations (FPE 1, HFI 2, PWMC 1, TKI 2, HOR 1, and SFFI 6).
The objective of the second policy dialogue is a follow-up gathering of inputs from and to settle concerns of participating NGOs and stakeholders before the Bill can be finalized. Among the concerns raised by participating NGOs that were discussed thoroughly in the dialogue include definitions of terms (i.e. watershed, plantations, forest ecosystem, etc.), concept of forest management units or FMUs (determination of protection and production areas), SFM strategies (i.e. integrated watershed planning, landscape approach in development, development of localized management framework, promotion of holistic forestry research, and professionalization of forestry service), and the 40% forest cover as a national standard among others. The last item was clarified by the SFFI that the study being referred to by the Haribon Foundation, Inc. “One Century of Forest Rehabilitation in the Philippines” is not confined with the provision of ecological services but of livelihood as well.