The Life of North Negros Forest Reserve Inhabitants: Impact of Integrated Social Forestry Program

By Ma. Mercedes L. Garzon (JD1)

This study is entitled The Life of North Negros Forest Reserve Inhabitants: Impact of Integrated Social Forestry Program. On July 28, 1982, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed the Letter of Instruction No. 1260 launching a national program called Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP) to be implemented by several ministries including the Ministry of Natural Resources (now DENR) to maximize land productivity, enhance ecological stability, and improve socio-economic conditions of forest occupants and communities. Certificate of Stewardship Contracts (CSC) are awarded to individuals or families occupying or tilling portions of forest lands for a period of 25 years. The problem arises when the beneficiaries from North Negros Forest Reserve in Victorias City, Negros Occidental refuse to surrender their occupancy despite the expiration of their CSCs. This study aims to find out what legal actions will DENR initiate to resolve the issue regarding this matter. Therefore, Narrative Inquiry, a qualitative method of research, will be utilized among recipients and key informants from DENR. Furthermore, The Told and The Telling will be employed in analyzing the data. The significant findings of this research may help offer solutions to the identified problem and give recommendations for the improvement of the implementation of ISFP.