Community Based Forest Management

COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT

by Antonio C. Antonio

March 22, 2015

The concept, definition and operational character of the Community Based Forest Management program can be deduced from the following researched materials authored by Teodoro R. Villanueva and Antonio C. Antonio…

“Community based forest management (CBFM) is a program that addresses the continuing destruction of our remaining natural forests as well as responds to the issue of upland poverty, considered as one of the root causes of the country’s deforestation problem.

CBFM is based on the concept of “People first and sustainable forestry will follow.”  It gives organized and empowered communities the right and responsibility to directly manage and benefit from forest land resources.

The government believes that when the issues of poverty and inequitable access to resources in the uplands are addressed, local communities themselves will participate in protecting and managing the forests.

CBFM is an important response to forest destruction.  The continuous destruction of our forests is triggered not only by the physical cutting of the trees, but is driven by the extreme poverty suffered by our upland people, many of whom turn to unsustainable forest practices for survival.  (Villanueva, 2002)

“The CBFM concept is a workable one.  There are several CBFM projects in the Caraga Region that worked and are continually providing benefits for the stakeholders involved.  If at all there are failures it is because there are fundamental flaws such as the lack of technical skills, capital, and linkages to financial institutions.

The CBFM, from the business standpoint, should have the following basic requisites to succeed as a business venture: (1) Management; (2) Manpower; (3) Material; (4) Market; and (5) Money (or financial capability)... the 5 “Ms”.  From the problems already mentioned (therefore: “the lack of technical skills, capital, and linkages to financial institutions”), it seems apparent that the problem is in Nos. 1 (Management) and 5 (Money).

No. 1 (Management) should relatively be the easiest to solve since it only entails a “good choice” of manager.  No. 2 (Manpower) should provide the solution.  From the ranks of those attached to and allied with the CBFM organization, someone should be able to fill up the top managerial position.  Someone who could meet the expectations of all stakeholders.  In case no one makes the grade from within the organization, the appointment of an outsider will be the next best option.

One of the 5 “Ms” also presents a solution to problem No. 5 (Money).  The demand for timber and wood products will always be good considering its dwindling supply.  So long as the CBFM has No. 3 (Material), (in this case timber, wood and other forest products,) it could be used to gain financial resources to fund its operations.  The giving of “advance payments” is an accepted wood industry practice in the Philippines.  So long as the buyer (supposed to be another stakeholder) is assured of the supply of the good, he will be more than willing to advance payments.  Another strength of the CBFM organization is the fact that wood and timber products is considered a seller’s market... and therefore, the CBFM has the option to maximize selling prices within the limits of what the buyer can afford and is willing to buy.  The CBFM management, however, should also make certain that their buyer/s has/have legitimate Wood Processing Permits (WPP) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)... or else, the transaction will be deemed illegal.”  (Antonio, 2014)

CBFM, like other worthy government upland development programs, is a laudable one.  It is only in the implementation stage where the CBFM (together with other government programs) fail.  Given good managers and management practices, success can be guaranteed for program: Community Based Forest Management.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCES:

Antonio, A. C., (2014). CBFM and Participatory Management. Retrieved on the 20^th day of March 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=CBFM

Villanueva, T. R., (2002). Upland Ecosystem Management (2^nd Edition). University of the Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines