The FMB facilitated the signing of the MOU between the FMB and FFP on the promotion of forest and forest-based products through The Forest Investment Portal (FIP) and the launching of Forestry Tenure Fee Calculator. The event is graced by the presence of the DENR Secretary – Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga along with the officials from Forest Foundation Philippines, SM Corporation, SM Investments, Prime Infra Foundation, Office of the DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, as well as representatives from various divisions of the Bureau.

In Secretary’s message, she mentioned that the synergy created through signing of the MOU will accelerate the creation of more green jobs and livelihood in the forestry sector. Moreover, an opportunity to upgrade and shift the minds of our community partners to embody the important value of our forests to their lives, and explore and sustain the forestry investment opportunities that we have at this moment. Linking our community partners to larger and wider opportunities such as the FIP or TAGPUAN will enable them to stand alone and become empowered in managing our forest resources.

Also, the FFP Executive Director Atty. Jose Andres Canivel emphasized that addressing the economic needs and livelihood of forest communities must be maintained aside from the regular conduct of forest protection, monitoring and patrolling to ensure sustainable forest management. Moreover, formalizing this will frame key results in terms of economic development in forest dependent communities.

The signing of MOU aims to establish a framework for collaboration between FMB and FFP in utilizing the FIP, also known as TAGPUAN (Tao, Gubat, Puhunan, Ani), particularly on accessing and sharing of relevant data and information, branding, monitoring, and evaluation of community-based forest management projects, and further promote the sustainable management and utilization of forest resources, and forest and forest-based products, including but not limited to sustainable harvesting, processing, and marketing.

Furthermore, the event included the launching of the Forestry Tenure Fee Calculator, a tool aimed at simplifying and streamlining the calculation of tenure fees, thereby fostering transparency and efficiency in forestry-related transactions.