A three-day National Consultation on the Implementation of Devolved Forest Management Functions to the Local Government Units was held on March 15-16, 2023 at Xenia Hotel, Clark, Pampanga. Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) and Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) conducted consultation workshop between the agency and LGU representatives from all regions of the country.
consultation and validation workshop aimed to assess the readiness of both DENR and LGU on devolution on the forest management functions aligned with the Mandanas Ruling. The survey results which reflected the situation on the ground served as the basis of both DENR and LGUs to both improve on the gaps and harmonized plans on the devolution of functions on forest management.
Secretary for Field Operations-Western Mindanao and FMB Director, Dir. Arleigh J. Adorable in his welcome remarks stated that, “Everything starts with a plan. Dapat assured na ang national agency that these plans are in place, dapat iisa at harmonized ang lahat ng planong gagawin ng LGUs at FMB.” (Everything starts with a plan. The national agency must be assured that these plans are in place. FMB and LGU must harmonized all their plans [in the devolution of functions in forest management]).
The consultation workshop ended with appreciation and awareness of the LGUs regarding their devolution functions, and recommendations and plans with the DENR to have a better implementation of devolved forest management functions.
