The tenurial instruments awarding process under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) governs how individuals, communities, cooperatives, or corporations can legally access, manage, and use public forestlands. These instruments are crucial for reforestation, agroforestry, ecotourism, sustainable forestry, and community-based resource management.
DENR Tenurial Instruments & Awarding Process (Overview)
Common Tenurial Instruments Issued by DENR:
| Tenure Instrument | Who It’s For | Key Use |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Stewardship Contract (CSC) | Individual families | Forestland stewardship (for existing occupants) |
| Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) | People’s Organizations (POs) | Community-managed forestry, agroforestry, ecotourism |
| Forest Land Use Agreement (FLAg) | Private sector | Commercial use: resorts, plantations, etc. |
| Forest Land Grazing Management Agreement (FLGMA) | Individuals or corporations | Grazing land use |
| Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) | Corporations, cooperatives, LGUs | Special projects (e.g. utilities, tourism) |
| Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) | IPs or POs in protected areas | Sustainable use of protected resources |
| Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) | Corporations, industries | Large-scale tree plantations on forestlands |
| Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) | Individuals or small entities | Small-scale plantation forestry (1-10 ha) |
General Tenure Awarding Process:
1. Expression of Interest / Application
- Submit a Letter of Intent or application to the CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office).
- Include:
- Organizational documents (for POs/coops)
- Area sketch map
- Site development plan (if applicable)
2. Screening and Preliminary Assessment
- CENRO/Provincial Office reviews:
- Legal personality of applicant
- Occupancy status
- Compatibility with Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP)
- Field verification and site validation conducted.
3. Social Preparation & Planning
- For CBFMA or PACBRMA:
- Conduct community assemblies and orientation
- Assist in organizing or strengthening POs
- Prepare Community Resource Management Framework (CRMF) or Site Development Plan
4. Endorsements & Approvals
- Required endorsements from:
- LGU
- Barangay Council
- IP tribal council (if in ancestral domain)
- Elevate to PENRO or DENR Regional Office depending on tenure type and area size.
5. Awarding of Tenure Instrument
- Once approved, the DENR Secretary or Regional Executive Director (RED) signs and awards the official document.
- Includes:
- Term (usually 25 years, renewable for another 25)
- Boundaries and responsibilities
- Reporting, monitoring, and development obligations
6. Monitoring & Compliance
- DENR conducts regular monitoring through CENRO/PENRO.
- Beneficiaries must submit progress reports, and failure to comply may result in cancellation or non-renewal.
Where to File:
Start at the nearest CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) where the forestland is located.
Sample Documents Required:
- Application Form / Letter of Intent
- SEC/CDA Registration (for POs/coops)
- Barangay/LGU endorsement
- Sketch Map or GIS map
- Project Proposal or CRMF
- Board Resolution (for organizations)
- Tax ID and valid IDs