The Philippines'
GREEN ENVIRONMENT

Some facts and figures...

1. How much of the country's total land is classified as forest land?

About 50% or 15 million hectares of the Philippines' total land area is considered forest land. Approximately 47% of the land is classified as alienable and disposable, the rest remains unclassified.
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Recent data show that the Philippines has only 18 percent remaining forest cover, with 60 percent of the country’s land area suffering from soil erosion. This grim situation is brought about by the open access condition (forest areas that are not under any kind of management, where anybody can come in and out to exploit the resources) in the countryside. This is further aggravated by illegal activities such as timber poaching/illegal logging and land conversion practices like kaingin.

Timber poaching/illegal logging results in uncontrolled, indiscriminate and irresponsible cutting of trees that inflicts so much havoc to our forest cover in particular, and the whole ecosystem in general. Kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) and other land conversion practices not only destroy the vegetation but also contribute to the loss of top soil, silting up our rivers, creeks, lakes and coastal areas.

Mangroves, which are part of our forests, are also in danger: at present, only 138,000 ha of the country’s 450,000 ha of mangroves are in healthy condition.

Targets

EcoGov aims to address these problems by assisting local government units (LGUs) in bringing at least 150,000 ha of forest cover under improved management. (“Improved manage-ment” means placing open access areas under certain tenure/ allocation or management scheme, and putting areas already covered by tenure/allocation instrument under sustain-able management.) By the end of the Project, actual accomplishment may even reach as much as 250,000 ha as more partner LGUs participate in project implementation.

Strategies

To achieve this goal, EcoGov is assisting LGUs—with the help of partner agencies like the DENR, DILG and the leagues—develop and implement forest land use plans (FLUPs) that rationalize and define the appropriate uses of forests and forestlands. The project is focusing its technical assistance efforts on, among others, strengthening on-site forest management by identifying appropriate forest land use and tenure, clarifying tenure responsibilities, helping resolve conflicts as well as encouraging public-private sector partnership to create livelihood for communities while ensuring forest preservation and protection. EcoGov tailors its assistance to the distinct characteristics and issues in each LGU or cluster of LGUs and assists partners it reviewing and strengthening policies that govern forests and forestland management.

FFM short stories...

• DENR 11 starts new year with big plan to scale up FLUP region-wide
• More funds for forest rehabilitation in South spreads optimism in sustaining local environmental programs
• Wao municipality mulls PES to sustain forest conservation programs
• Over 80 local environment officers hold first meet: Formation of league is key step to addressing climate change
• Sangguning Panlungsod (SP) spearheads consultations for forestlands property rights policy approval
• Local governments converge to learn about financing good environmental projects
• Governance incentives program takes off in Cebu
• Mindano regional ENR programs' to employ Islamic environmental stewardship advocacy
• LGU-Private Sector Partnership for Forest Biodiversity in Alcoy, Cebu
• Upi Municipality and DENR-ARMM seal agreements to manage forests and forestlands
• Cebu starts province-wide environmental enhancement program
• Coastal town gears up for greater role in environmental management through Al Khalifa
• MSU System’s curricula, programs to introduce Islamic perspectives in environmental governance
• Harmonized plan for Mt. Apo critical to Mindanao's sustainable development
• USAID project boosts T'boli livelihood in Sarangani
• Tribal leaders adopt plan to protect and develop ancestral domain
• LGU starts action to save Lake Sebu
• Scaling Up: Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental Provincial Environmental Offices, DENR-7 train in SLF-Site Assessment Technology
• Mindanao State University adopts Islamic environmental sourcebook
• Local governments converge to battle climate change
• Farmers get IPR in Bayawan City forestlands
• Quirino LGUs to step up forest protection, empower tenure holders
• Farmer-widow from Nueva Vizcaya gets chance for a better life
• Mindanao coffee growers gets expert training
• Indigenous farmers get legal rights to their land
• Safeguarding a lifeline—North Cotabato Governor seeks stronger protection for Mt. Apo Natural Park
• USAID Chief lauds Bayawan environmental initiatives
• Rubber barons to help uplanders get into rubber production
• Alcoy is learning stop for international biodiversity workshop
• League of Municipalities of the Philippines cites partnership with USAID EcoGov2 Project during live telecast
• Sarangani coffee growers get big corporate boost
• 18 Wao upland farmers receive property rights
• Sarangani youth pitch in for the environment
• Lake Lanao to be nursed back to health
• Tribal people to manage their upland territories
• Sta. Catalina first to award property rights in Region 7— Dreams come true for upland farmers in Negros Oriental
• From farmers to entrepreneurs—change in the uplands of Nagtipunan
• Plan to save critical watershed is being put into action
• Upland farmers in North Cotabato receive abaca seedlings from USAID
• Lamitan marks Earth Day in a big way
• Araw ng Sibugays celebrates the environment
• Upland farmers in Nueva Vizcaya receive tenure for land claims
• Upland farmers awarded forestland rights, vow to protect watershed
• Muslim leaders endorse environment sourcebook
• Sarangani Boy and Girl Scounts plant 2,500 tree seedlings in Maasim
• Maranaos unite to save Lake Lanao
• Antipolo formalizes forest management thrust
• Davao City , DENR 11 ink agreement to co-manage more than 3,000-ha of forestlands
• Annual implementation review of USAID’s SO4 projects
• Negros Oriental signs landmark pact for the environment
• Four ARMM municipalities sign forest management agreements
• 6,200 trees planted in Maasim fiesta
• Maasim town mayor addresses poverty by making bare forest lands productive
• Bayawan's "greening" program on high gear
• Bayawan City ’s activities to delineate its forests in full swing
• DENR Secretary meets National Federation of POs appealing for the recall of “injurious” CBFMA cancellation order
• Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay focuses on the environment
• EcoGov and DENR establish full partnership with Cebu Province
• Lebak tree nursery now helping upland dwellers
• Sarangani provincial government to lead in 2nd wind for community forestry in Sarangani
• ARMM "People's Law" on forest management on the road to implementation
• Basilan town inks agreement with local water district to rehabilitate watershed
• Vizcaya holds first provincial environmental summit
• Commitment in action
• Sarangani Provincial Government to lead in 2nd Wind for Community Forestry in Sarangani
• Completion of landmark legislation bodes well for ARMM forests

FFM success stories...

• Along with peace comes development : Maasim town in Sarangani addresses poverty by making bare forestlands productive
• Lebak makes huge investment, taps NGO’s help: Remote town in Sultan Kudarat makes forest management a top priority
• LGU, PNOC, DENR partnership; Groups merge interests to co-manage Dauin’s forest
• From regulatory body to service provider: DENR Region 7 takes active role in responding to needs of LGUs
• To ensure more effective enforcement: Implementing rules of Muslim Mindanao’s forest management act integrates Shari’ah law
• Getting their acts together: DENR, NCIP, LGU unite to protect Nagtipunan’s forest
• Bayawan's "greening" program on high gear

FFM publications/reports/studies
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