The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is targeting about Php 38 trillion in forestry production value from 2027 to 2052 by opening suitable forest lands to responsible, climate-smart investments.
The program is guided by Administrative Order No. 2026-34, which sets a framework for identifying and evaluating forest areas for investment while preserving environmental safeguards.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the policy aims to create jobs and livelihood opportunities in rural communities by putting underused forest lands to productive use.
The Forest Management Bureau has identified about 1.18 million hectares of potential investment areas that may be developed through sustainable forest land management agreements.
The DENR said the sites could generate around Php 4 billion in annual revenue from agroforestry, tree plantations, grazing, ecotourism, renewable energy and other compatible activities.
Agroforestry accounts for the largest share of the proposed areas, followed by tree plantations and renewable energy projects. Eastern Visayas, Caraga and the Davao Region have the biggest identified sites.
The department also projected that tree plantations and agroforestry could produce about Php 8 trillion in value over the same period.
Each site must undergo climate, economic and social assessments before being offered to investors. Existing valid forest tenure agreements will remain protected, while landfills, housing projects and other activities inconsistent with sustainable forest management will be prohibited.