Forestry and the Socio-Biophysical System
Forestry is both a scientific discipline and a profession that integrates ecological,
economic, and social dimensions in the management of forest resources. Within
the socio-biophysical system, forestry functions as a bridge that connects the
biophysical environment—such as forest ecosystems, biodiversity, soil, and water
—with the socioeconomic needs of communities, including livelihoods, cultural
values, and environmental services. Understanding this interconnection is essential
for sustainable forest management, since forests are not only ecological systems
but also social spaces where human activities, institutions, and policies interact.
1. Classification of Forestry Based on Objectives
Forestry practices can be classified according to the objectives they seek to
achieve. These objectives highlight the multifunctional role of forests in addressing
both ecological stability and human welfare:
Production Forestry – Focuses on the sustainable supply of timber, wood
products, and other forest-based commodities. It provides economic benefits
but requires strict silvicultural and harvesting practices to prevent
overexploitation.
Protection Forestry – Emphasizes the conservation of forest ecosystems to
maintain ecological functions such as watershed protection, soil
stabilization, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation.
Community and Social Forestry – Aims to involve local communities in
forest management to address social equity, livelihood generation, and
empowerment. This recognizes that people are key stakeholders in ensuring
the sustainability of forest resources.
Urban and Recreational Forestry – Supports the development of green
spaces, ecotourism, and recreational sites that enhance the quality of life in
urban and peri-urban areas.
Research and Educational Forestry – Concentrates on advancing
scientific knowledge, developing innovations in forest management, and
training professionals to adapt to emerging challenges like climate change
and forest degradation.
These classifications show that forestry is not confined to timber production but
rather covers a broad spectrum of objectives that balance ecological integrity with
social and economic development.
2. Legal Basis in Forestry Profession and Practice in the Philippines
The forestry profession in the Philippines is grounded on several key laws and
policies that regulate professional practice, promote sustainable management, and
safeguard forest resources. These laws define the scope of forestry work,
responsibilities of professionals, and institutional mechanisms to ensure that
forestry is practiced in line with national goals and global commitments.
1. Republic Act No. 10176 – Forestry Profession Act of 2010
This is the most important law governing the practice of forestry as a profession.
Its main provisions include:
Licensure and Regulation: Only those who pass the Forester Licensure
Examination conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
can practice as registered foresters.
Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters (PRB-F): Established under
PRC to oversee licensure, ethical standards, and continuing professional
education.
Scope of Practice: Defines the work of foresters, including forest
management, silviculture, inventory, protection, utilization, research,
extension, and policy formulation.
Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Guides foresters in
maintaining professionalism, accountability, and integrity in practice.
Penalties: Provides sanctions against illegal practice, misrepresentation, and
violations of ethical standards.
This law elevates forestry into a recognized profession similar to engineering, law,
or medicine, ensuring that only qualified experts are entrusted with managing the
country’s forests.
2. Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines,
1975)
The Revised Forestry Code remains a cornerstone of forest policy in the
Philippines. Its key contributions include:
Classification of Forest Lands: Identifies permanent forest estates and
regulates their use.
Forest Management: Mandates sustainable harvesting, reforestation, and
forest protection.
Regulation of Logging and Timber Licensing: Ensures that forest
utilization follows prescribed quotas and permits.
Law Enforcement: Provides legal measures against illegal logging, kaingin
(shifting cultivation), and forest destruction.
This decree institutionalized state control over forest resources, making forest
lands inalienable and under government jurisdiction.
Republic Act No. 7161 (1991)
Title: “An Act Incorporating Certain Sections of the National Internal Revenue
Code of 1977, as Amended, into Presidential Decree No. 705, as Amended,
Otherwise Known as the ‘Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines,’ and
Providing Amendments Therefor.”
Nature of the Policy
RA 7161 is a fiscal forestry policy that amended PD 705 (Revised Forestry Code).
It introduced increased forest charges (taxes or fees) on timber and other forest
products gathered, cut, or collected from forest lands, whether for commercial or
personal use.
Key Provisions
Forest Charges:
o Charges are imposed on timber and forest products based on species,
volume, and market value.
o Both commercial concessionaires and private entities are required to
pay.
Revenue Utilization:
o A significant portion of revenues collected is allocated to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to
fund reforestation, forest development, and protection programs.
Integration with PD 705:
o The provisions on forest charges were incorporated into the Revised
Forestry Code, making forest utilization not only regulated but also
economically accountable.
Importance
Provides the government with financial resources to rehabilitate and protect
forests.
Discourages the overexploitation of timber by attaching higher economic
costs to harvesting.
Strengthens the principle that forests are valuable public resources and
those who benefit from them must pay their fair share for conservation.
3. Republic Act No. 8371 (Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 or IPRA
Law)
This law acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are integral to forest
conservation. It provides:
Recognition of Ancestral Domains and Lands, which often overlap with
forest areas.
Rights of IPs to manage, conserve, and benefit from natural resources within
their domains.
Protection of cultural practices and traditional knowledge in forest use.
4. Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection
Act, 2001)
Foresters play a role in implementing this act, which:
Protects and conserves wildlife and their habitats, many of which are in
forests.
Regulates collection, trade, and transport of wildlife species.
Promotes biodiversity conservation as part of forest management.
5. Republic Act No. 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009) and RA 11038
(Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018)
RA 9729 integrates climate change adaptation and mitigation into forestry
programs, highlighting forests as carbon sinks.
RA 11038 strengthens the protection of protected areas and recognizes them
as key biodiversity areas requiring professional management.
6. Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Policy (Executive Order
No. 263, 1995)
Although not a Republic Act, EO 263 institutionalized CBFM as the national
strategy for sustainable forest management. It mandates the participation of local
communities in forest management agreements, with foresters playing a key role in
providing technical assistance and monitoring.
Importance of Legal Basis in Forestry
These laws are essential because they:
Ensure that only qualified professionals manage and utilize forest resources.
Balance economic use of forests with ecological protection.
Protect the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
Provide mechanisms to combat illegal logging, forest degradation, and
biodiversity loss.
Align forestry practices with national development goals and international
environmental agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement, CBD).
