The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Forest Management Bureau (FMB), on Thursday launched the Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement (SFLMA) that consolidates seven forestry tenure instruments into a single, streamlined production-sharing agreement.
Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said the SFLMA replaces fragmented permits like the IFMA, CBFMA, FLGMA, SIFMA, FLAg, FLAgT, and SLUP with a 25-year renewable agreement. This simplifies administrative processes, enables multiple land uses—including agroforestry, ecotourism, and conservation—and opens clearer pathways for sustainable enterprise development in the country’s 15.8 million hectares of forest lands.
“The SFLMA eliminates overlapping requirements and fosters vertical integration in the forestry sector,” Lotilla stated, emphasizing its role in building local value chains and job creation while upholding environmental safeguards.
The DENR also unveiled two supporting initiatives:
- Forest for Life: 5 million trees by 2028 aims to sequester up to 3.5 million tCO2e through large-scale reforestation using native species. A dedicated portal now streamlines public participation and project transparency.
- Potential Investment Areas (PIAs) mapping highlights 1.186 million hectares of forest land primed for eco-friendly investments, including agroforestry and grazing.
By aligning forest management with inclusive economic growth and climate goals, the SFLMA sets a strategic framework for long-term sustainability. Officials hailed the launch as a new era where environmental stewardship supports resilient, forest-based economies and reinforces the Philippines’ climate commitments.
