Secretary Reyes Pledges Support to CommunityBased Forest Management CBFM



Concluding the three-day Consultative Workshop on CBFM Strategic Plan Update on September 22, 2006, Secretary Angelo T. Reyes cheered for CBFM. From the summary of agreements and commitments given by representatives of ODAs, POs, NGOs, and LGUs, he strongly affirmed that key to success of CBFM is partnership among stakeholders. The major concerns on CBFM that need this partnership are tenure and resource use, livelihood and enterprise, forest development and conservation, strengthening of peoples's8217; organizations, and institutional and policy support.

Reyes continued with his remarks relating to the statement on how to treat CBFM by Ms. Nelly Alzula, a representative of the POs. Alzula said 's8220;Kung tayo po ay magtatanim, hindi lang po sana sa lupa, kundi sa puso, upang ito ay ating mabalutan ng pagmamahal's8221; (when we sow a seed, we should not propagate it only on the ground, but on the hearts of people so that we can nourish it with love). Ms. Alzula was coming from the sad experiences of POs, in particular deaths in forest protection and the unilateral cancellation of CBFMAs by then Secretary Michael T. Defensor.

In response, Reyes did not read his prepared speech and said 's8220;I will speak from the heart.'s8221;. He conveyed that he acted on the concern of the POs on CBFMA cancellation. He stopped further cancellation and ordered evaluation of those which were cancelled. Reyes further articulated that CBFM should be given due attention given the fact that at present 1,800 POs participate in its program, with 1.3 million beneficiaries covering about 5.9 million hectares or 1/5 of the country's8217;s land area.

With the present situation of the country, Reyes would like to contribute to economic growth, social development, and ecological/ environmental protection through CBFM. He emphasized that POs manage the forests through protection, development, and utilization activities. Reyes emphasized that in doing these, POs should be organized, empowered, and responsible.

As regards partnership with support groups , Secretary Reyes agreed in a session with representatives of the support groups and POs that the CBFM Steering committee will be reactivated where membership of NGO coalition groups will be institutionalized. Reyes also agreed to hear out further issues on policies and procedures, especially on resource use and simplification of process in deputizing CBFMA holders in forest protection. Finally, in terms of LGU appreciation of CBFM, Reyes committed to make arrangements so that CBFM will be part of the agenda of meetings various Leagues of LGUs. The support groups will prepare appropriate presentation materials for such meetings.

When asked about the large hectares of forestlands for agroforestry development where 's8220;jetropa's8221; or Jetropa curcas might be planted, Secretary Reyes replied 's8220;Monoculture is out of the picture's8221; Reyes made sure that no area should be planted under this approach without due research on the species to be planted. He left the CBFM supporters with an assurance that the Forest Management Bureau, through OIC Neria Andin, will be closely cooperating with the support groups and POs.





Secretary Reyes Pledges Support to CommunityBased Forest Management CBFM