THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and concerned local government units (LGUs) are pushing for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive forest land use plan (Flup) for individual LGUs in Region IVA or the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region.

The DENR recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the San Pablo LGU in Laguna for the town's Flup. The initiative aims to enhance the protection of the remaining forest lands in the region.

As defined in the Forest Management Bureau Technical Bulletin 2, a Flup "is a participatory process of allocating forests and forest lands (FFL) as natural resource asset by the government under appropriate management, tenure arrangement and eventually putting these assets according to their best uses to harmonize uses of FL and to attain a balance of production activities with forest protection and biodiversity conservation."

A Flup ensures a sustainable allocation and management of FFL that will provide environmental, social, and economic benefits to the public. A Flup also aims to identify open access areas and determine the best management and use for these open areas.

Flups are formulated by LGUs with technical assistance provided by Field and Regional Offices. LGUs are given opportunities to formulate their Flups upon submission of their Letter of Intent (LOI). Moreover, municipalities with remaining open access areas within their forestlands are targeted for Flup formulation.

In the Calabarzon Region, a Flup started in 2011 where a total of 47 plans have been formulated from 2011 to 2020. For CY 2021, there are nine targets for Flup preparation/formulation and six targets for FLUP adoption. This 2021, Lobo, Batangas has started to implement their Flup.

According to Tamoria, FLUP shall be done "beyond compliance".

It is coordination between the DENR and the LGU to create a comprehensive plan for our forest lands.

Tamoria said LGUs who are interested in the formulation of FLUP for their respective areas of jurisdiction may coordinate with the nearest DENR Office.

The signing of the MOA with the San Pablo LGU for the implementation of Flup last month included the following: Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office-Laguna Ronillo L. Salac; Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Alfredo C. Palencia; DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria; Mayor Loreto S. Amante; Vice Mayor Justin G. Colago; and, ABC President Ariston A. Amante.

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