Community-Based Forest Management in the Philippines

CHALLENGE

Between 2001 and 2022, the Philippines lost 1.42 million hectares of tree cover, equivalent to 7.6% of its total tree-covered areas (Climate Change Commission, 2024). Deforestation, primarily driven by urbanisation and commodity demands, has reduced forest cover to 7.22 million hectares in 2022, a significant drop from 17.8 million hectares in 1934 (Climate Change Commission, 2024). This ongoing loss threatens biodiversity in one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, home to over 25,000 endemic species, as it disrupts habitats and endangers wildlife. Additionally, deforestation undermines the water cycle, exacerbating soil erosion, flooding, and drought while reducing the ability of forests to regulate moisture and air quality, further endangering ecosystems and livelihoods.

SOLUTION

The Philippines addresses deforestation through robust policy frameworks like the Philippine REDD Plus strategy, the 2011-2016 Development Plan, and the 2011-2028 National Climate Change Action Plan, which prioritise forest conservation and restoration to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity. Efforts include expanding forest cover to increase carbon sinks, and reducing deforestation and forest degradation to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, policies alone are insufficient; collective action from individuals, communities, and society is essential, and mainstreaming Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) in these policies is important. In fact, according to research by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), CBFM helped to slow forest loss in the Philippines from 1988 to 2010, and forest cover even increased between 2010 and 2015, with CBFM now responsible for managing over 11% of forest cover within classified forestlands (Forest Foundation Philippines, 2022).

OVERVIEW

Forests are crucial for biodiversity, carbon absorption, and supporting local communities with essential resources. They aid in erosion control, flood prevention, and agriculture. Traditional practices like community-based forest management (CBFM) effectively promote sustainability. This article explores how Philippine communities use CBFM to manage mangroves for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

DETAILS

Generally, when forests were abundant, they were managed through open access, without specifying who owned them. When deforestation became a significant concern, however, it was recognised that sustainable forest management was necessary, and this was implemented through Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM). During the nineteenth century, in countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, deforestation began with the commercial logging of valuable timber, such as teak. It escalated rapidly due to the development of agricultural land to meet the increasing demand for land driven by population growth and commercial agriculture, prompting the national governments to introduce forest protection policies in response to the crisis. However, these policies often conflicted with traditional forest management practices by communities and were largely ineffective in halting deforestation. In this context, CBFM, a community-driven approach to forest management, gained attention and was promoted by communities and supporting NGOs.

The importance of CBFM has been recognised in the Philippines for decades. Executive Order No. 263 of 1995 officially adopted CBFM as a primary strategy for forest conservation in the Philippines. Since 2004, CBFM Agreements (CBFMAs) have been established between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and people’s organisations. An initial assessment of CBFM programs in the Philippines conducted in 2001 revealed notable social benefits for communities residing in CBFM areas, including more secure tenure and resource use rights, supplementary livelihoods from forest products, access to agricultural inputs, a stable and potable water supply, and preserving cultural values and religious practices  (Forest Foundation Philippines, 2022). The study also highlighted other significant incentives of CBFM, such as increased knowledge, improved income, recognition of community leadership and initiatives, and greater cultural acceptance  (Forest Foundation Philippines, 2022). As a result, CBFM is increasingly recognised as an effective management approach, not only for forest protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation but also for enhancing the lives and livelihoods of local communities.

Example of CBFM in the Philippines (based on a field survey by the reporter)

• Management of mangroves through CBFM

Binonoan Producers Cooperative (BIPCO) started CBFM in 1991 and later formalised this initiative under a CBFM Agreement (CBFMA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2003. The BIPCO primarily focuses on rice cultivation in paddy fields while also managing mangrove forests. The mangrove forests attract tourists due to the unique bat species that live there, and the selling of non-timber forest products provides another source of income for the community. However, farming in the area faces challenges such as typhoons, flooding during the wet season, and a shrinking labour force. While new agricultural technologies and machinery offer some solutions, they may adversely impact workers reliant on traditional farming practices. Other issues include the presence of the golden snail (kuhol), which damages rice crops, and water scarcity during the dry season, exacerbated by intense heat and limited irrigation infrastructure. The establishment of a dam has created additional uncertainty about water flow stability.

Through CBFM, the community has reaped several benefits, including enrichment of planting activities and the opportunity to involve external members in their cooperative. These efforts have bolstered environmental conservation and expanded socio-economic opportunities for the community. However, the challenges posed by natural disasters, invasive species, and evolving agricultural practices underscore the need for sustainable solutions to enhance food security and preserve local livelihoods.

・CBFM in the upland areas

The Liliw Upland Farmers Marketing Cooperative (LUFAMCO) was formed in 1991 by communities from three villages to manage state-owned forest and agricultural lands through CBFM. By 2003, the government had formalised their efforts through a CBFMA. The cooperative operates in a mountainous area, while the other two villages are in the plains. Some lands are designated as protected areas, and the government does not fully control certain sections, but agricultural lands within the national forest fall under the CBFMA. Farmers face numerous challenges, including increased rainfall intensity, climate-related changes, and pest infestations such as fruit lice, leaf miners, and fungi. These factors have reduced production quality and quantity by 20-30%. Overusing swidden farmland without resting periods has also exacerbated the problem, leading farmers to adjust their crop selections and adopt organic farming methods.

The benefits of CBFMA for LUFAMCO include tenure security over farmlands on public lands, legal agreements with farmers on compliance with management rules while reporting illegal activities to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Cooperative efforts among members have strengthened strategies like organic farming, stabilising livelihoods and promoting sustainable practices. The program fosters community involvement in decision-making, ensuring agricultural practices align with environmental conservation and local needs.