Why it matters:
The newly launched Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement (SFLMA) consolidates decades-old bureaucratic processes under one comprehensive agreement that promotes sustainable forest use, encourages private investment, and empowers forest-dependent communities.
Driving the news:
Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said at the launch event in Pasay City that the SFLMA marks a “major shift” in the country’s approach to management and governance of the country’s 15.8 million hectares of forest land.. The agreement offers 25-year renewable terms and supports diverse forest land uses—including agroforestry, tourism, plantations, and conservation—under a single contract.
“This consolidation eliminates the fragmented application processes and overlapping requirements that have historically discouraged potential investors,” Lotilla said.
“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.”
How it works:
The SFLMA replaces and absorbs seven existing forestry tenure instruments:
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)
The unified permit structure is designed to foster job creation, reduce red tape, and promote inclusive economic growth.
Between the lines:
Beyond simplifying administrative hurdles, the SFLMA also promotes vertical integration in forestry—encouraging local processing, marketing, and enterprise development—while maintaining strict environmental safeguards.
What’s next:
The DENR rolled out two complementary initiatives:
Forest for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028, targeting carbon sequestration of 500,000 tCO2e by 2028 and 3.5 million tCO2e by 2038.
Potential Investment Areas (PIAs): Over 1.18 million hectares of forest lands mapped for agroforestry, grazing, and eco-tourism are now ready for private-sector investment.
What they’re saying:
Officials describe the launch as the start of a new era—where conservation and commerce go hand-in-hand. “We are building resilient green economies from the ground up,” Lotilla said. –Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
