Community-Based Forest Management (Philippines)

Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) is a program of the Filipino government to encourage reforestation and sustainable management of forests. Under a CBFM agreement, a community is entitled to develop and use a forest area and its resources for 25 years. The Filipino Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government are to provide technical assistance to CBFM participants "to help them attain sustainable forest management." The agreement is intended to "helps participants access investment capital, identify markets, and build marketing capabilities." CBFM agreements may be made in "all areas classified as forest lands, including allowable zones within protected areas not covered by prior vested rights."

"Who can participate in CBFM?

"The principal participants of the program are local communities including indigenous people represented by their People’s Organization (POs) and traditional tribal councils whose members are:

• Actually tilling portions of the area to be awarded, or
• Traditionally using the resource for all or substantial portion of their livelihood, or
• Residing in or adjacent to the areas to be awarded."

Articles and Resources

Related Sourcewatch Articles

• ECOFUEL Land Development, Inc.
• Green Future Innovations Inc.
• Integrated Forest Management Agreement (Philippines)
• Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement

External Resources

• Primer on Community-Based Forest Management, Department of Environment and Natural Resources