Rationale

1. The Barangay Forest Protection and Management scheme (BFPMS) was conceptualized and tested with success by the Upland Development Programme (UDP) to address the destruction of the remaining forests in the uplands caused by the expansion of inappropriate farming and other destructive activities in very steep lands fitted to be under forest cover.
2. This ?on-site? forest management approach empowers and put the responsibility on the BLGUs and the local communities in managing the natural resources within the barangay. Its guidelines are based on the devolved functions of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on forest management to the Local Government Units (LGUs) provided in DENR-DILG JMC 98-01 and 2003-01.

Issues and Concerns

1. Lack of appreciation of the communities and LGUs on the value of forest as source of water supply and protective cover to minimize soil degradation.
2. Lack of commitment and capacities of the BLGUs and local communities in protecting and managing the barangay forests.
3. Inefficient community-based extension services to disseminate information on forest protection and management.

Objectives

1. To mobilize the BLGUs and the local community organizations (such as UBA) in protecting and managing forestlands in upland communities.
2. To introduce the scheme of community-based and ?site-specific? forest management projects.
3. To promote partnership among the BLGUs, MLGUs, PLGUs, DENR, NCIP and the local communities in managing the forestlands at the barangay level and define the operational structure.

Benefits

1. Preserved forestlands thereby maintaining the ecological balance.
2. Improved water sources and river systems in the uplands that would adequately supply water and prevent floods in the lowlands.
3. Increased commitment and enhanced capacity of the BLGUs and local communities in protecting and managing the environment.
4. Mobilized resources from DENR, PLGUs, MLGUs, BLGUs, local communities and other donor agencies for the protection and management of the forestlands.

General Mechanisms

1. Adoption of Barangay Ordinance on Forest Protected areas by BLGUs.
2. Adoption of individual Site Management Agreement (SMA) between the barangay and upland farmers.
3. Identification, delineation and declaration of the identified site as Protected Area based on the Barangay Land Use Plan (BLUP) integrated in the Barangay Development Plan (BDP)
4. Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the BLGU, MLGU, PLGU, DENR, NCIP and local communities.
5. Formation of Barangay Forest Protection and Management Committee and deputation of Barangay Forest Protection Officers.
6. Assessment and formulation of a site-specific forest protection and management plan for the identified forest protected area.
7. Actual implementation of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Plan
8. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Plan