On June 17, 2025, the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), through its Forest Resources Management Division (FMB-FRMD), hosted the 1st Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) – National Working Group Meeting for CY 2025. The meeting took place at the FMB OD Conference Room in Quezon City.

Atty. Ray Thomas F. Kabigting, FMB Assistant Director, presided over the annual gathering. Members of the National Working Group, representing various government and non-government sectors, were in attendance.

This biannual event serves as a crucial platform for discussing key aspects of the CBFM Program’s development. Discussions at this meeting included updates on harmonization efforts for Land Title-Issuing, guidelines for Enhanced Free and Prior Informed Consent, and the proposed CBFM Bill. Additionally, collaborative project initiatives with partner organizations aimed at strengthening forest communities were a significant part of the agenda.

The productive dialogue concluded with several major agreements. These included the further review and enhancement of project initiatives from partner organizations, the participation of the National CBFM-PO Federation in regional information workshops on SFLMA, and a motion to establish a National Tenure working committee within the CBFM-NWG.