Tackling corruption for governing REDD in the Philippines

Abstract

Forest governance in the Philippines during the post-colonial period has involved protracted efforts to arrest and reverse patterns of overexploitation of forest products and land. Much of this loss is commonly attributed to weak enforcement of existing forestry laws, to mismanagement, and to abuses including corruption. National efforts aimed at reversing forest degradation have taken on a new dimension in the context of recent international focus on actions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, and there is keen interest in participating in schemes for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in the country. This Issue paper assesses past experience related to forest management in the Philippines with a view to providing policy considerations for the implementation of REDD. It addresses the possible challenges REDD may face in terms of the Philippines’ governance context, focusing in particular on issues of rent-seeking and corruption in the forestry sector. Some policy options for REDD are discussed for the consideration of various actors, not least prospective donors of REDD schemes in the country.