The Forestry Development Center of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (FDC-CFNR) conducted the National Consultation on the Draft Simplified and Harmonized Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) policy on September 10, 2024, at the Acacia Hotel Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Representatives from 27 agencies and organizations and various key stakeholders such as private tree farmers, tenure holders, wood processing plant permittees, furniture makers, lumber/log dealers, LGUs, government agencies, and the private sector participated in the discussions on the draft ITP policy.

The CFNR-FDC drafted the ITP policy under the project “Enhancing the Growth of Tree Plantation Industries in the Philippines: Simplification and Harmonization of Policies and Governance along the Value Chain,” funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

Led by Dr. Leonida A. Bugayong, the project aims to review policies, identify issues and challenges, and develop a draft policy to simplify and harmonize policies and governance systems along the ITP value chain.

The participants in the national consultation were welcomed by CFNR Dean Marlo D. Mendoza who acknowledged the importance of harmonizing and simplifying policies to address the issues of tree plantation investment and the need to minimize policy and bureaucratic barriers.

According to Mendoza, this will lead to a more resilient forestry sector that will benefit the people and the environment.

In a message given at the national consultation, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora said that support for ITP industry development through the ITP Industry Strategic Science Program ensures sustainable production, helps secure a stable income for farmers, and strengthens the country’s competitiveness in the industry.

The project’s objectives, activities, and accomplishments were presented by project team member, For. Noel L. Tolentino.

He discussed the issues, gaps, and recommendations along the ITP value chain gathered from project activities—literature review, primary data gathering through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and ocular observations.

Dr. Bugayong discussed the draft policy on “Rules and regulations governing the ITP establishment, production, development, harvesting, transporting, processing, and marketing.”

She also briefly described the contents of the ten chapters and 41 sections of the draft policy covering the different stages of the ITP value chain.

In the open forum, Mendoza, FDC Director Dixon T. Gevaña, S&T Consultant Priscila C. Dolom, and the project leaders provided insights and responded to the participants’ queries focusing on the following: (a) challenges related to permitting and requirements from different agencies, (b) participation of community-based forestry management in ITP development, (c) claimants involved in the National Greening Program in untenured areas, (d) Anti-Red Tape Authority law, (f) policy on protected areas for ITP development, (g) restriction on plantation development in areas with a 50% slope, (h) availability and identification of ITP areas in expiring or canceled tenured lands, (i) value-adding activities, and (j)  carbon trading policies, as well as the necessary modalities to qualify for carbon trading.

The event concluded with a message from Dr. Gevaña who highlighted the value that the activity brings toward enhancing the ITP industry’s growth in the country.

Addressing the issues and concerns in the ITP industry requires a clear policy, intimate stakeholder engagement, and sustainable management strategies to ensure equitable and environmentally responsible practices. (For. Nicole A. Nacionales, For. Kristel S. Victoria, & Dr. Leonida A. Bugayong)