Forest Management Bureau Assumes Central Role in Forest Tenure Under Revised DENR Rules

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued Administrative Order No. 2026-07, revising the DAO No. 2025-22 or the rules governing Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreements (SFLMAs) and centralizing the administration of forest tenure applications. 

All new and renewal applications for the tenure applications of Forest Tenure Instruments must now be filed directly with the Forest Management Bureau (FMB). The approving authority for these is the Supervising Undersecretary of the FMB. The Order effectively consolidates the evaluation and recommendation process under a single central office.

The amendments exclude Community-Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMAs) from DAO No. 2025-22. The Order reinstates DAO No. 2004-29 or the revised rules implementing EO No. 263 as the policy framework for CBFM Implementation.

The Order also provides transitory provisions for applications currently in progress. Applications filed prior to the enactment of DAO No. 2025-22 (28 June 2025) will continue under the rules existing at their time of filing, though applicants are granted the option to convert their application. For pending applications, DENR Regional Offices shall be turned over to the FMB within sixty (60) days of this Order’s effectivity. On the other hand, applications currently with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENROs) and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENROs) shall continue to be processed at their respective levels and shall be forwarded to the FMB, through proper channels, within six (6) months of the Order’s effectivity.