Forest cover in the Philippines is estimated at 7.2 million hectares or 24 per cent of
the total land area. The combined effects of indiscriminate logging, inadequate forest
protection, expansion of upland agriculture, fires, pests, diseases and unplanned land
conversion are cited as the main causes of forest depletion. The objective of the initial
National UN-REDD Programme for the Philippines is to increase capacity of managers
in forestland, protected areas and ancestral domains and support groups to implement
REDD+ projects and activities.
In order to meet this objective, the Philippines will pursue three outcomes:
- REDD+ readiness support by an effective, inclusive and participatory management
process
- Systematic and structural approach to REDD+ readiness identified through concrete
studies of options and inclusive consultation
- Capacity to establish reference baselines increased