CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-10) is turning forest-dependent communities in Northern Mindanao into environmental partners through livelihood and reforestation programs

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to balance environmental protection and economic growth, DENR-10 hires residents for tree planting and maintenance and helps them secure legal land tenure.

Programs under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda also aim to steer communities away from illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming by providing sustainable sources of income and livelihood opportunities.

DENR-10 Conservation and Development Division Chief Roel Dahonog said the total developed areas now span 6,920 hectares region-wide, addressing the survival needs of forest-dependent families through direct livelihood interventions.

He said many settlers once relied heavily on timber and forest land for daily needs, making strict protection difficult to enforce without providing viable alternatives.

“Many occupants live where poverty is a reality. DENR implemented programs to reduce reliance on forest ecosystems by providing sustainable opportunities that put food on the table,” Dahonog said.

Powering this initiative is the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) program, supported by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This national project funds livelihood activities for organized forest communities, raising household income while promoting a culture of responsible stewardship among locals.

“These projects couple reforestation with livelihood. The goal is to ensure sustainability so residents no longer need to exploit forest resources because the government has provided them a better way to live,” Dahonog said.

The agency also continues the National Greening Program (NGP), which hires upland residents for tree planting and maintenance. This national priority restores vegetation in timberlands while providing steady, dignified wages to local workers, ensuring that “greening” the nation also means “growing” the local economy.

Beyond CBFM-CARP and NGP, Dahonog said DENR promotes biodiversity-friendly enterprises to help communities build legitimate businesses that use available resources, demonstrating that environmental protection and profit-making can complement each other for the benefit of the people.

Dahonog said beneficiaries include those from areas identified by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), specifically former rebels who now find peace and productivity through government greening programs.

To bolster protection, DENR issues tenure instruments such as grazing management agreements and forest leases. These contracts require holders to hire locals, ensuring that the President’s “people first” policy is met by allowing communities to profit from the land.

“The main purpose is people first, then sustainable forestry follows,” Dahonog said, citing the administration’s commitment to social justice.

Region-wide impact

Dahonog said the agency has developed 5,854 hectares under the NGP and 1,074.56 hectares through CBFM-CARP, transforming vast tracts into thriving, productive land.

He said that since the current administration began, six CBFM people’s organizations have received livelihood aid from national funds, and the 234 tenurial instruments have strengthened land-use management and provided settlers with legal ownership.

Monitoring and compliance

Dahonog said the enforcement division conducts regular monitoring to ensure program integrity and that every peso spent translates into public benefit.

“Field officers perform quarterly site visits, while annual validations check if beneficiaries follow environmental safeguards to protect the nation’s natural wealth. CBFM agreements last 25 years and are renewable based on performance, encouraging long-term community commitment to the President’s environmental agenda. If they underperform or fail to follow conditions, agreements may not be renewed,” Dahonog explained, highlighting the agency’s accountability to the public.

Community participation

DENR urges upland communities to visit the nearest Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) or Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to apply for these life-improving projects.

Applicants must form People’s Organizations (POs) and secure accreditation from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to professionalize their operations and ensure long-term success.

“More than 50 percent are performing well,” Dahonog said, though he stressed that maintaining sustainability after project funding ends remains a challenge the agency is actively addressing through continued mentorship.

He added that the agency supports proposals for ecotourism, renewable energy, and climate change mitigation, provided activities remain environmentally sound and beneficial to the local population.

“By connecting leadership to grassroots action, the DENR assures the public it remains committed to protecting forests while empowering Northern Mindanaoans to improve their lives and future,” Dahonog said. (JAKA/PIA-10)