₱38 trillion production value projected in new forest policy, says DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is projecting ₱38 trillion in production value from 2027 to 2052 with its new administrative order promoting opportunities through forestry.

The DENR Administrative Order No. 2026-34 seeks to boost the economic potential of the country's forestry sector, which only contributes less than 1% to the economy per the Philippine Statistics Authority.

"At least ₱38 trillion in production value is projected from 2027 to 2052 as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) unlocks 1.18 million hectares of forest lands for climate-smart investments under Administrative Order No. 2026-34," said DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna in a statement.

“We want to show that protecting our forests and growing our economy are not competing goals,” he added. “With science‑based planning, climate resilience, and strong safeguards, we are creating investment-ready sites that generate real work for Filipino families while ensuring that our forest resources are cared for and sustained for generations.”

The DENR said that its Forest Management Bureau has already identified about 1.18 million hectares of Potential Investment Areas (PIAs) that can be developed through Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreements.

The department noted that the identified PIAs can generate about ₱4 billion in annual revenue from tree plantations, agroforestry, grazing, ecotourism, and renewable energy.

Of the identified PIAs, the DENR said that the largest is in Eastern Visayas at 196,083.78 hectares, followed by Caraga with 177,201.18 hectares, and the Davao Region with 144,035.25 hectares.

Under the new DENR policy, every investment site must feature a Forest Investment Portfolio Package (FIPP) detailing its environment, climate risks, commercial viability, accessibility, land status, and surrounding communities.

Further, the new DENR order prohibits investment activities that are incompatible with sustainable forest management, such as sanitary landfills and housing or subdivision developments within forest lands. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News