The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Forest Management Bureau (FMB), announced the integration of forestry permits and mechanisms into one agreement that will benefit forest-dependent communities around the country.
Launched in Pasay City, the Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement (SFLMA) consolidates forest land management by consolidating seven forestry tenure instruments into a single, streamlined production-sharing agreement which will create more jobs in beneficiary communities.
“SFLMA offers 25-year renewable agreements that allow multiple management strategies within a single forest area.”
“The SFLMA represents a major shift in how the Philippines manages its 15.8 million hectares of forest lands, offering 25-year renewable agreements that allow multiple management strategies within a single forest area—from agroforestry and ecotourism to forest plantation development and conservation initiatives,” Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla explained.
The SFLMA supersedes multiple instruments used for different purposes, including the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA), Forest Land Grazing Management Agreement (FLGMA), Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA), Forest Land Use Agreement (FLAg), Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism (FLAgT), Special Land Use Permit (SLUP), and the Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA).
“This consolidation eliminates the fragmented application processes and overlapping requirements that have historically discouraged potential investors and delayed project implementation.”
“This consolidation eliminates the fragmented application processes and overlapping requirements that have historically discouraged potential investors and delayed project implementation,” Lotilla said.
“The streamlined approach creates clearer pathways and management strategies for sustainable forest enterprises,” the environment chief added.
Beyond simplifying administrative procedures, the SFLMA is strategically designed to foster sustainable economic growth and enhance community benefits. It actively encourages vertical integration within the forestry sector, facilitating the establishment of value chains. This not only empowers local communities through direct economic participation but also ensures that stringent environmental safeguards are maintained.
Complementary Green Initiatives
Alongside the SFLMA, the DENR showcased two major programs:
Forest for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028 – This flagship initiative aims to plant five million indigenous trees nationwide, targeting 500,000 tCO2e in carbon sequestration by 2028 and 3.5 million tCO2e by 2038. Priority areas include Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte. The program features a newly launched online portal that allows potential stakeholders to easily access application processes and view available planting areas.
Potential Investment Areas (PIAs) – The DENR presented updates on its mapping of 1.186 million hectares of forest lands ready for sustainable investment in agroforestry, grazing, and specialized forest uses. These areas represent immediate opportunities for private sector engagement in sustainable forest management.
The integrated approach positions forests as drivers of economic growth while ensuring environmental protection. By broadening stakeholder participation beyond traditional timber operations to include tourism, agriculture, and conservation sectors, the SFLMA creates new pathways for sustainable community development.
The launch marks what officials describe as the beginning of a new era where environmental stewardship and economic opportunity work together to secure the Philippines’ forests while contributing to global climate commitments.
