DENR-7 REGIONAL CBFM TEN YEAR ACTION AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIC PLAN

DENR Central Visayas conducted the Multi-Stakeholder Regional Action and Communication Planning in Support for the Updated Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Strategic Plan for CY 2024-2034 last December 11-15, 2023 at the Summit Galleria Hotel, Cebu City. The output of said activity will be forwarded to the Central Office. Participants are representatives from the local government units (LGUs), other national government agencies (NGAs), peoples organization (POs) and other stakeholders.

The Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) begun in 1995 by virtue of E.O. No. 263 signed by former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos as the national strategy to ensure sustainable development of the country's forestland resources and providing mechanisms for its implementation. The then President Gloria Arroyo also signed Executive Order (E.O.) Number 318 s.2004 otherwise known as "Promoting sustainable forest management in the Philippines."

Under Sec. 2.3 of E.O. 318, CBFM shall be the primary strategy in all forest conservation and development and related activities, including joint ventures, production sharing and co-production. The strategy to improve the well-being of forest-dependent communities, at the same time ensure the sustainable management, rehabilitation and protection of the forestlands and the resources therein, through the active participation of different stakeholders.

Opening Message by ARD for Technical Services, Charlie E. Fabre

Through the CBFM-POs, the government, with its limited manpower and capacity to protect all forest areas, is able to get additional on-site and immediate responders to forest/coastal concerns in a cost efficient manner. Some had started to partner with other stakeholders such as the LGU, DTI, DA, TESDA, DOST, DOT and PCIC.

Majority of the CBFM-POs have maintained their teams of Bantay Gubat/Dagat. Bantay Gubat/Dagat with members doing volunteer work in patrolling or roving, forest fire fighting and guarding against poachers and encroachers.

Most of these projects were on plantation establishment, agroforestry, mangrove rehabilitation, and livelihood and enterprise development in recent years.

Presently, 249 CBFM Peoples Organization and CBFMA holders in Central Visayas and 20 were registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), 54 at Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and 172 with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Around 66% are still active of the overall total, considering  12 are beginners, 229 progressive and 8 are in advance stages.

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