MODULE 8 Forest Protection, Conservation and

Development

I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our
resources is just important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?
-Robert Redford

Forest Protection, Conservation, and

Development

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, students are expected to:
a. Understand the concepts of forestry, laws, and agreements to
protect the forests,
b. Value the importance of forests to living organisms especially
to humans, and
c. Create a campaign video in promoting the importance of
forests.

INTRODUCTION

Encompassing over 7,000 islands, the Philippines’ large landscapes and

long coastlines hold some of the world’s richest terrestrial, coastal and marine
environments. It is also one of the world’s 17 mega-biodiverse countries,
featuring more than 20,000 species of plants and animals found nowhere else
in the world.

These natural resources, which stretch 2.2 million square kilometers

(849,425 square miles), are of critical importance. They provide food, fresh
water, livelihoods and climate resilience to more than 100 million Filipinos.
In fact, it is estimated that biodiversity contributes around 5% of the
Philippines' gross domestic product and supports livelihoods for nearly 15%
of the country’s labor force.
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The forests and oceans of the Philippines sequester vast amounts of
carbon — playing a significant role in the global solution to climate change.
Regionally, the Philippines is a part of the Coral Triangle, a transboundary
seascape which more than 130 million people from five nations rely upon.

In recent times, accelerating development has led to increasing

pressures on nature. Population growth, weak land use planning,
industrialization and unsustainable land and sea use have taken a toll on its
natural resources, while erratic storms have ravaged its coasts.

GEARING-UP

The students will examine the picture presented below and they will jot
down their observations.

https://filippashumanitiesblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/07/palawan-tribe-endangered/
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Development

ANALYSIS

Despite efforts to protect them, tropical forests are dwindling at a near-

record rate at a time when humanity needs them more than ever in the fight
against climate change.

ABSTRACTION

It is well known and recorded that the forests of Southeast Asia,

including those of the Philippines, are the most biodiverse terrestrial
ecosystems on Earth. These forests, however, face serious threats from social
and economic development. The factors that contribute to forest loss and
degradation include shifting cultivation, cash cropping, firewood collection,
livestock grazing, unsustainable logging and anthropogenic fires intensified
by exceptional droughts. The underlying causes of forest problems are
poverty, over-population, inequitable land tenure regimes, misguided policies,
weak governments and debt burdens.

The Philippine government is aware of the uniqueness and exceptional

diversity of the country's forests. Appreciation is also growing of the role of
forest genetic resources in sustaining the productive and protective values of
forests, and the need to conserve these resources. Strong economic reasons
lie behind this appreciation. A large number of tree species in the Philippines
are harvested for their timber and, to a lesser extent, non-wood products such
as bark, resin, tannin and medicinal compounds. Forest product exports
make an important contribution to the Philippine economy. In future,
ecotourism and genetic resources are likely to play a much greater economic
role. The number of tree species being exploited is not known, but given their
value and the threats they face, conservation efforts must be strengthened
considerably.
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Development
It is estimated that more than half of the Philippines’ old-growth forests
have been lost to agriculture, slash-and-burn farming, forest fires and illegal

logging. Compounded by a growing rural population and poor land

management, deforestation poses a serious threat to agriculture, livelihoods
and ecosystem functions such as fresh water and erosion prevention.

What is forest?

A forest is community of trees, shrubs, herbs, and associated plants

and organisms that cover a considerable area that use oxygen, water and soil
nutrients as the community attains maturity and reproduces itself.

Also known as “Lungs of the earth”. The world’s environment owes

much of its state of health to the presence of forests. So too does human
survival and welfare.

The original forest of the Philippines covered nearly half our land about
145,973.30 square kilometers.

Distinct Types of Forests

1. Primary or Virgin Forests in lowlands, like mangrove, dipterocarp,

and molave forests.
2. Secondary Forests- developed from virgin forests through succession
by illegal logging of the kaingin system, the system in setting the
forest on fire for cropping.
3. Grasslands and Open Country- developed from and to secondary
forests.
4. Parang Vegetation- grassland with patches of secondary forests tree
species
5. Bamboo Thickest
6. Cultivated Fields
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Habitat of the Forest

1. Wild Life -means the native animals of a region

2. Endangered Species- species which are in danger of extinction and
which may not survive if the adverse factors continue to rotate.
3. Vulnerable Species- species likely to move into the endangered
category in the near future if the causal adverse continue to operate.
4. Rare Species- species with small population in the world and are at
risk.
5. Threatened Species- species which are in any one of the Endangered,
Vulnerable and Rare Species categories.

FOREST PROTECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Presidential Decree No. 75 issued in 1975- became the blueprint of forest

management in the country. Forty-five years later, the same law was still
practiced.

Executive Order 23 - declaration of moratorium on the cutting and

harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests.

Executive Order 26 - the announcement for National Greening Program that

took place from 2011 to 2016.

Presidential Decree No. 1067- issued on December 31, 1976 mandated for
the delineation of activities near or on the banks of rivers and streams and
shores of seas and lakes which implied the need to establish coastal resource
planning in the area.

Proclamation No. 2152- which declared the entire province and certain
parcels of public domain as mangrove swamps and forest reserves in Palawan.

Senate Bill No. 402 (Sustainable Forest Management Act)

This bill mandates sustainable and rational development of forestland

resources as well as protection of existing forest resources and conservation
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of biodiversity. The plan also follows guiding principles such as watershed
management, multi-sectoral representation, community-based forest
management, economic and ecology.

Presidential Decree No.54- Any natural or juridical person who directly or

indirectly cuts, declares, classifies, possesses or exports logs on violation of
existing laws, rules and regulations shall be penalized.

Republic Act No. 9175 – An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale,
importation and use of chainsaws, penalizing violations therefor and for other
purposes.

Republic Act No. 3701 - An act discourages destruction of forests, further

amending for the purpose section twenty-seven hundred fifty-one of the
revised administration code.

Republic Act No. 9147 – An act providing for the conservation and protection
of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for
other purposes.

GOVERNMENT AGRREMENTS TO ENCOURAGE REFORESTATION AND

PROTECTION OF FORESTLANDS

Community-based forest management agreement (CBFMA) - This was the

most commonly used agreement between a local community and the
government with the initiative centered on the integration of people-oriented
management and sustainable development. Under the EO 263 in 1995, the
contract has a term of 25 years renewable for another 25 years. Under this
tenure instrument, 1.6 million ha were developed by 1,884 people’s
organizations in 2013.

Timber license agreement (TLA) -This was defined as a long-term license

granted by the DENR secretary to a company for the harvest and removal of
timber and other forest products. As of 2013, 177,085 ha were under the
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agreement operated by three companies in Samar and Zamboanga del Norte
however, there were no reported operations in the same year.

Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) -IFMA was negotiated

between DENR and a qualified individual planning to industrialize a specific
forest domain. Existing IFMAs amounted to 140 totaling to 1.0 million ha with
Mindanao having the most number at 83 IFMAs.

Tree Farm Lease (TFLA) and Agroforestry Farm Leases (AFFLA) -TFLA
allowed planting of commercial, non-commercial trees or both in a small tract
of land while AFFLA enables sustainable land management and productivity
at the same time by combining agricultural and forest crops that were
compatible with the local climate, topography, and slope.

Socialized industrial forest management agreement (SIFMA) - DENR

allowed an individual the right to develop and manage a small area of
forestland aligned with the sustainable development.

Private forest development agreement - A landowner can help develop a

forest plantation inside his private property through this agreement.

Forest and grazing management agreement (FLGMA) -This tenure

instrument was a production sharing agreement between the government and
an individual or a corporation over the development and utilization of grazing
lands.

Special and forestland use permits and agreement - This allowed a natural
or juridical person to occupy, manage, and develop a public forestland albeit
temporarily and subject to government share. Special Land Use Permit (SLUP)
fell under this umbrella along with Special Land Use Lease Agreement
(SPLULA), forestland use agreement for tourism purposes (FLAgT), and special
forestland use agreement (FLAg).
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What is Forest Conservation?

Forest conservation is the practice of planting and maintaining forested

areas for the benefit and sustainability of future generations. The
conservation of forest also stands & aims at a quick shift in the composition
of trees species and age distribution. Forest conservation involves the upkeep
of the natural resources within a forest that are beneficial to both humans
and the environment.

The Philippine government aims to meet its reforestation targets by

cooperating with various sectors of society. Private sector plantations will
focus on timber production. Government plantations will rehabilitate
degraded forest areas and protect watersheds. The National Forestation
Program (NFP) aims to reforest 100,000ha each year.

There is now strong political will to involve upland dwellers and non-
governmental organizations in establishing and managing tree plantations.
Some of the important program in this regard are:

• Tree planting contracts with forest dwellers on land under stewardship

contracts, as a part of the community-based forest management
project;
• Industrial Forest Management Agreements (IFMA);
• Reforestation as a part of the Timber License Agreements (TLA) issued
to private individuals or corporations involved in forest utilization; and
• Forest Land Management Agreements (FLMA), which give households
and community contractors the right to harvest what they have planted.

Integrated protected area systems

The main strategy for protecting and conserving biodiversity in the

Philippines is the establishment of an Integrated Protected Area System
(IPAS). The IPAS was set up to protect and preserve a representative sample
of all ecosystems and habitat types in the country, as well as their plant and
animal species. Executive Order 192 created the Parks and Wildlife Bureau
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to consolidate government efforts to conserve biological diversity in the
protected area system.

In June 1992, Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National
Integrated Protected Area Systems (NIPAS) Law, was passed. The law, which
is being implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), has the following special features:

• It requires the designation of a buffer zone to stabilize protected areas

whenever and wherever applicable;
• It recognizes ancestral rights and includes community interests with
concern for socioeconomic development;
• It requires the development of standard planning for site-specific
management;
• It establishes the Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF), a trust fund
which will form the basis of a sustained financing system; and
• It adopts a decentralized system of protected area management.

Institutional framework for conservation of forest genetic resources

Government programs of tree breeding and propagation are spearheaded by

DENR with support from the Forest Management Bureau and ERDB. DENR
has prime responsibility for promoting the well-being of the Filipino people
through sustainable development of the country's forest resources, optimal
use of forest lands, social equity and effective forest management. Various
state universities and colleges also support DENR through research and
training (both academic and practical) of government personnel. In this
regard, the main contributor is UPLB, specifically its College of Forestry and
Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Breeding and Institute of Biotechnology
Research. Other contributing state universities include the Don Mariano
Marcos State University, the Central Luzon State University, the Central
Mindanao University and the Visayas State College of Agriculture.

The Philippines has promulgated several laws and policies dealing with
conservation, protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Several
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laws directly or indirectly related to protecting and conserving forest genetic
resources are detailed below.

The Philippine constitution has the following provisions relating to the

conservation of tree species:

• Support and protection by the State for the right of all Filipino people
to a balanced and healthy ecology in accordance with the rhythm and
harmony of nature (Sec. 16, Art. II); framework of national unity and
development (Sec. 22, Art. II).
• State ownership of all natural resources, except for agricultural lands
(Sec. 2, Art. XII).
• Full control and supervision by the State of exploration, development
and use of natural resources either by directly undertaking such
activities or by entering into co-production, joint ventures or
production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens or Filipino-owned
or controlled corporations or associations (Sec. 2, Art. XII).
• Small-scale utilization of natural resources (Sec. 2, Art. XIII).
• Determination by Congress of the specific limits of forest lands by
marking their boundaries on the ground (Sec. 4, Art. XIII).
• State protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities to
their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-
being (Sec. 5, Art. XII).

The Philippines is committed to protecting and conserving its biological

resources through the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development
(PSSD). This was endorsed by former President Corazon Aquino and
subsequently approved by the Cabinet in 1989 as a response to the global call
for well-balanced resource development. One of the ten major strategies of the
PSSD is biodiversity conservation. A sub-committee on biodiversity has been
created by the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development and is chaired
by DENR's Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. In 1994, the sub-committee
formulated the Philippine Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity
(PSBD), which subsequently provided a basis for a 1995 biodiversity study
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supported by UNEP. This study transformed the PSBD into a National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the Philippines (NBSAP), which was
approved in June 1997. The signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) by the Philippines in 1992 increased appreciation and interest in
biodiversity conservation.

The NBSAP has the following goals and objectives:

• Conservation of diversity through improved knowledge, management

systems, research and development, information and institutional
support;
• Sustainable use of biodiversity;
• Equitable sharing of the benefits derived from biodiversity;
• Collaborative approaches to conservation strategies and management
activities;
• Formulation of policies for the conservation, sustainable use, and
equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits;
• Integration of biodiversity conservation strategies into development
planning;
• Practice of conservation ethics for using biodiversity;
• Multi-sectoral participation in biodiversity conservation; and
• Fulfilment of the country's obligations to various international
agreements on biodiversity conservation.

The following strategies and actions have been proposed to implement the
above-mentioned objectives:

• Expanding and improving knowledge of the extent, characteristics, uses

and economic values of biodiversity;
• Enhancing existing and planned biodiversity conservation efforts, and
identifying potential actions, consolidating research and development,
and setting up a network of conservation centers;
• Formulating policies and laws on biodiversity conservation that
emphasize sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits;
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• Integrating biodiversity conservation into all levels of government and
non-government planning, and strengthening human resources
capability for biodiversity conservation;
• Mobilizing and integrating information, education and communication
on biodiversity systems; and
• Advocating stronger international cooperation in biodiversity
conservation.

Apart from the NIPAS Law (see above), eight other decrees, orders or
proclamations curb activities that may adversely impact biological diversity.
Of these, the following relate to conserving forest genetic resources:

• Presidential Decree No. 1151. The Philippine Environment Policy of

1978 established the Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) System. This law stipulates environmental impact assessments
for all activities or projects that may significantly affect the quality of
the environment.
• Proclamation No. 2146. This identifies protected areas as
environmentally critical and therefore within the purview of the EIA
system provided for under Presidential Decree 1586. It is supported and
strengthened by DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 21, which
decentralizes the issuing of environmental compliance certificates for
projects within environmentally critical areas.
• DAO No. 90 series of 1988. This sets quotas for certain animal and
plant species collected under a permit for commercial purposes.
• DENR Memorandum Order No. 97-17. This protects the habitats of
endemic, rare, vulnerable and endangered wetland species.
• CITES. The Philippines joined the Convention on the International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1981.
• Executive Order No. 247. This was issued in 1995. It emphasizes
"prescribing guidelines and establishing a regulatory framework for
prospecting biological and genetic resources, their by-products and
derivatives for scientific, commercial and other purposes". The rules
and regulations of implementation are in DAO No. 96-2.
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• DAO No. 95-9. This pronounced that "the basic policy of the
government is to establish well-adapted populations of forest trees
which provide a sustained supply of forest tree seed and other planting
stock for the country's reforestation program". The production,
procurement, collection, distribution and use of planting materials were
placed under monitoring and regulation by DENR.

What is Forest Development?

Forest Development is done to improve the forest resource. The

definition of “improve” generally mean anything done to help the government
reach the forestry goals and to enhance the value of the forest in ways that
can be measured in value, in forest health, in forest diversity, or in aesthetic
qualities.

A Master Plan for Forest Development (MPFD) was formulated in 1990.

A new set of regulations, including a draft of the Forest Code, a National
Integrated Protected Area System Act, and an Environmental Code have been
introduced to conserve the forest resources and address the problems of
environmental degradation.

Advantages of having a forest

1. Acts as wind barrier from heavy winds

2. Provides Medicinal Remedies
3. Recreation
4. Lumber for the construction industry
5. Promotes rainfall
6. Prevents soil erosion
7. Prevents flooding
8. Maintains the composition of the atmosphere
9. Reduces Noise Pollution
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Causes of Forest Destruction
1. Forest Fires
2. Shifting Cultivation
3. Excessive Logging Activities
4. Housing
5. Removal of Vegetation

APPLICATION

Task 1

Reflective Questions

1. Why forests are vital to human life?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.

2. If you’ll be given a chance to become the president of the Philippines,

what will be your first step to promote the importance of forest to human
kind and in the environment? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
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Task 2
Directions: Inside the callouts write your responses to WILDFIRES
happening in the Philippines and in the world. Write only One idea per
callout. You can add more callouts as you will.

Note: Submit your task 1 on December 11, 2021 to my email address.

 MODULE 8 Forest Protection, Conservation and
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Task 3
Directions: Make a 2-minute campaign video about the importance of forest
in every living organism including to us human (by group).
Rubric

Criteria Percentage
Originality
The campaign video shows significant evidence of originality 35%
and inventiveness. The majority of the content and many of
the ideas are fresh, original, and inventive.
Presentation Format
The campaign video is an aesthetically pleasing, creative, 20%
and original example of the chosen format.
Content/Organization
The content includes a clear statement of purpose or theme 30%
and is creative, compelling and clearly written.
Audio
The audio is clear and effectively assists in communicating 15%
the main idea. Background audio is kept in balance.
Total 100%

Note: Use your previous groupings and upload your output on your
respective Facebook Page on or before December 18, 2021.
 MODULE 8 Forest Protection, Conservation and
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SUMMARY

The forestry landscape in the Philippines has been shaped by the

evolution of policies that encompass various complementary areas such as
management, rehabilitation, and protection that are difficult to treat
separately or individually.

But with this Environmental Education, people can be informed on the

things that they should do to take good care of the environment especially the
forests because environmental education is a process which is very useful to
human beings in order to manage well the environment and instill the right
behavior that serves as key to sustainable development.
 MODULE 8 Forest Protection, Conservation and
Development

REFERENCES

Domingo, Sonny N. & Manejar, Arvie Joy A. (2018). Forest Protection in The
Philippines. Research Information Department. Philippine Institute
for Development Studies.18th Floor, Three Cyberpod Centris - North
Tower, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

Domingo, Sonny N. & Manejar, Arvie Joy A. (2019). Forest Protection in The
Philippines: Policy Evolution and Sector Outcomes. Philippine Institute
for Development Studies.
Labuguen, Florida C. et al. (2012). Understanding the National Service
Training Program. Mutya Publishing House, Inc. 105 Engineering,
Araneta University Village, Potrero, Malabon City.
Rebugio, Lucrecio L. et al (2007). Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation in the
Philippines.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878522015000788
https://filippashumanitiesblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/07/palawan-tribe-endangered/
https://www.forestfoundation.ph/wp-content/uploads/files/FFP-Program-Plan-2017-2021.pdf
https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-03.pdf
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11053-019-09497-2.pdf
http://www.fao.org/3/ac648e09.htm#:~:text=The%20optimal%20area%20of%20forest,40%25%20of
%20the%20land%20area.&text=Government%20plantations%20will%20rehabilitate%20degraded,ref
orest%20100%2C000ha%20each%20year.
http://www.iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/images/3/33/Forest_Conservation_in_the_Philippines.pdf
https://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CHAPTER-10.pdf
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1853.pdf
https://www.slideshare.net/vinupamula/ppt-on-forest-conservation-and-protection