Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (Philippines)

A Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) is "an agreement entered into by and between a natural or juridical person and the DENR [the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources] wherein the latter grants to the former the right to develop, utilize and manage a small tract of forestland consistent with the principle of Sustainable development."


 * "The urgency of establishing forest plantation in the Philippines is well documented and undeniable in view of the increasing need for wood and other forest products and the need to protect the fragile forest ecosystem. This has been felt not only by the government but also by the different sectors of the society.


 * "Over a 25-year, the country envisions to establish 3 million hectares of forest plantation in order to augment the wood supply from the sustainably managed residual forest. This is an enormous task needing a huge amount of money which could hardly be undertaken by the government alone. Thus, the participation of the private is being encouraged.


 * "A prerequisite for a successful plantation program is to put the plantation under proper management as soon as possible. In this regard, the country’s forestry master plan has recognized the significance of involving the local communities, families, and individuals in the establishment management of tree plantations.


 * "It is this context that the Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) was launched by virtue of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 24, Series of 1996."

Regulations Governing SIFMAs
The Filipino Department of Environment and Natural Resources laid out rules governing SIFMAs in a Department Administrative Order in 1996.

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External Resources

 * Primer on Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources
 * Department of Environment and Natural Resources website
 * Department Administrative Order No. 24: Rules and Regulations Governing the Socialized Industrial Forest Management Program, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, August 23, 1996.