DENR to hold biddings for restoration of forest lands

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to kickstart a competitive bidding process to rejuvenate the nation’s forest lands.

Last October, the DENR earmarked one million hectares from the total available seven million hectares, which will be officially announced and made open for private sector investment.

“It will take the form of competitive bidding,” said DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David. “If successful, this will be the largest land development, focused on environmental initiatives rather than infrastructure development.”

He said the agency has mapped out the country’s forest lands, which has declined from 70 percent in the 1950s to just 23 percent to date.

While the country’s forest cover has declined rapidly in the past seven decades, the DENR official said those lands are still classified as forest lands.

“Many areas experience encroachment and development, but a significant portion of the land remains barren. So, it’s just waiting for us to develop,” David said.

When developed, these areas could be used for carbon credit and provide forest products and production.

Carbon credits allow companies to offset their CO2 emissions.

The country currently lacks a policy on carbon credits, prompting the DENR to advocate for legislation that will institutionalize carbon credit systems to streamline the country’s climate change initiatives.

The proposal coincides with the department’s review of existing laws affecting the environment, including the Climate Change Act of 2009.

Climate Change Act, or Republic Act 9729, aims to integrate disaster risk reduction measures into climate change adaptation plans, development and poverty reduction programs.