Selective Privatization of Forest Lands in the Philippines: An Alternative Approach to Forest Development

Abstract

"The forest resources in the Philippines are diminishing at a very fast rate. This has been attributed to destructive logging on the part of the logging companies and slash-and-burn farming practiced by the uplanders and kaingineros. The traditional policy of state ownership of the country's forest lands implies that the government should assume a dominant role in the conservation, protection, and development of forest resources. The burden of the overall management of forest resources is placed on the government's shoulder, being the owner of forest lands. With the seemingly unstoppable and rapid rate of forest denudation, it may be said that the present forest management policies and strategies are ineffective. There seems to be a need to explore other approaches in order to solve the present forest management problems. One possible alternative to consider is the privatization of forest lands on a selective basis. In this case, selected forest lands in the country may be disposed by the government for private ownership to logging companies, forest dwellers, tribal groups and rural communities. It is the objective of this paper to discuss some realities whereby privatization of forest lands on a selective basis would be appropriate along the principles of productivity, sustainability, social equity and ecological stability."