DENR pushes Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management Act

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling on the 15th Philippine Congress “to facilitate the passage” of the proposed Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management Act.

The proposed measure has been repeatedly filed in Congress over the last 15 years and has still not been passed into law.

The bill seeks to provide an environment for sustainable management of forest ecosystems to enhance forest ecosystems services, mitigate and adapt to anticipated climate change impacts, and reduce poverty in forestlands.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said passage of the measure “will have ground-breaking impact on the country’s efforts to chart a vibrant future for our forests and the economic fruits that it can give the nation.”

Passage of the bill this year would be timely, Paje said, with the observance of 2011 as the “International Year of the Forests” (IYF).

Paje added that the observance of the International Year of the Forest in the country “not only serves as a catalyst for raising global awareness of the urgent need to protect the planet’s fragile forest resources, but more importantly, our festivities should focus on the need for reforestation and reducing gas emissions while supporting people and biodiversity for the primary benefit of Filipinos especially those in the upland areas.”

The DENR is creating a National IYF steering committee (NISC) to be headed by Forest Management Bureau (FMB) director Neria Andin.

A draft presidential proclamation declaring 2011 as the National Year of Forests has been readied for signing by President Aquino. The proposed PD implores all sectors of Philippine society to protect and conserve forest life.