UPLB Forestry Development Center

29/05/2026

Big wins for science and policy!

Our very own researchers brought home the 1st Place award in the Poster Presentation Category at IACon 2026!

28/05/2026

Big Congratulations 𝐆𝐌𝐀𝐏 𝐅𝐃𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦!

We are thrilled to announce that Forester Luna and her research team bagged the 1st Place for Best Poster Presentation at the 2nd Science and Technology Impact Assessment Conference held last May 25–26!

Kudos to the brilliant team behind this achievement:
Amelita C. Luna, Sheerah Louise C. Tasico, Michael S. Sanchez, Kristel S. Victoria, Angelo Miguel S. Superal, Neslyn Faith P. Aclan, and Kyle Adrian B. Cancino.

Their award-winning study is titled "Restoring Function to Mined Lands: Ten-Year Evidence from the Greening Mined Areas in the Philippines (GMAP) - Marinduque Bioremediation Protocol for Policy Integration." This research is a key component of the project: “𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙-𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 (𝙂𝙈𝘼𝙋) 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝘽𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 (𝙈𝘽) 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨.”

By transforming degraded mining landscapes into thriving ecosystems, their decade-long evidence provides a critical framework for national environmental restoration. This milestone beautifully exemplifies how our researchers continue to add value in research and development by ensuring that science and policy in forestry actively contribute to a sustainable and biodiverse Philippines.

28/05/2026

🌱🌍 Be part of the solution in restoring our planet and addressing the impacts of climate change and the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. Trees play a vital role in capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere and helping reduce global warming.

Join the upcoming 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 of the Forestry Development Center in partnership with UPLB TREES and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and learn how credible and internationally acceptable forest carbon projects are developed. Discover key concepts such as carbon credits, MRV systems, additionality, safeguards, governance, carbon rights, and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Gain valuable insights from experts and explore how forest carbon initiatives can contribute to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

📌 You will not only learn but also gain CPD credit units from this webinar series, a CPD-applied webinar in collaboration with TREES-CFNR.

Stay tuned for more updates!

28/05/2026

The Forestry Development Center (FDC) staff attended the UP-Bangsa Development Initiative (UP-BDI) Caravan at the PrMO Training Hall and joined discussions with various partners and stakeholders.

The event provided opportunities to foster connections with development partners, alumni, and academic leaders while supporting initiatives that promote science-informed policies and programs.

26/05/2026

We proudly recognize our very own from the Forestry Development Center for their meaningful contributions in advancing forestry education and public service.

Dr. Leonida A. Bugayong, this year’s Outstanding Researcher in Social Sciences and Humanities (REPS Category), continues to inspire through her work in community forestry, environmental policy, and mentorship at the University of the Philippines Open University. Her decades of engagement with communities, institutions, and policy development reflect a lifelong commitment to sustainable forest management and transformative learning.

Mr. Ryan Joel D. Escalante, Outstanding Administrative Personnel – Bukod-Tangi Office Staff, is recognized for his dedication and invaluable support behind FDC’s virtual events and webinars. Through his technical and administrative expertise, he has helped make forestry learning more accessible while supporting the continuing professional development of forestry professionals nationwide.

Your Forestry Development Center family is proud of you both!

Read more:

https://uplb.edu.ph/academic/expanding-forestry-education-reflections-from-the-awardees-of-the-cfnr-116th-founding-anniversary/

The College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) celebrated its 116th Founding Anniversary on April 23, 2026, at the Nicolas P. Lansigan

22/05/2026

The 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔'' unique heritage of being one of the most biologically richest countries in the world is constantly being endangered. The country is home to many endemic species and houses some of the planet's most important ecosystems, making it one of just 17 megadiverse nations. In addition to being morally right, protecting biodiversity is also required by law.

To protect the nation's natural resources, the Philippine government has passed several laws, including the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550), the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (RA 8371), and RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) and its expanded counterpart RA 11038. The legal framework for biodiversity protection, co-management, and community stewardship is established by these statutes collectively.

This 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 serves as a reminder that policy should not stand on its own; it needs to be science and evidence-based, with the goal of achieving a more sustainable and biodiverse Philippines. The UPLB Forestry Development Center reiterates its commitment in linking science and policy. “Protect Biodiversity, Sustain Life, Secure Our Future,”

20/05/2026

To conclude the three-day celebration, the Forestry Development Center (FDC) spearheaded a technical forum and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program titled “Bridging Forests and Enterprise: Policy, Plantations, and the Promise of Agarwood and Other High Value Tree Crops” on April 24, in partnership with CFNR Alumni Association (CFNR AA) and UPLB TREES.

The forum was held at Nicolas P. Lansigan Auditorium, UPLB, and was streamed online. It attracted over 500 attendees, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, professional foresters, and interested individuals from various agencies and organizations throughout the country.

Read more:

The UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) celebrated its 116th Foundation Anniversary and Alumni Homecoming on April 22-24, 2026, with the

20/05/2026

Stakeholders achieved a significant milestone in the Philippines’ National Blue Carbon Program with the successful conduct of the 2026 Philippine Mangrove Conference on March 24–26, 2026, at Microtel, UP Technohub, Quezon City.

The event was organized by the Global Mangrove Alliance-Philippines (GMAP) and the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) with the theme “Ensuring Accountable Pathways for Resilient Communities.”

The Forestry Development Center (FDC) of the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, led by director Dr. Dixon T. Gevana, expressed full support for this important national initiative.

The conference also served as a follow-up to the FDC-led science-policy forum, “Mangrove Blue Carbon Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond: A Science-Policy Forum towards Future-proofing Livelihoods and Technologies to Conserve Mangroves,” held in 2025.

Read more by clicking the link below.

Stakeholders achieved a significant milestone in the Philippines’ National Blue Carbon Program with the successful conduct of the 2026 Philippine Mangrove

18/05/2026

The Committee on Natural Resources convened to review key Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) bills aimed at strengthening forest governance, improving benefit-sharing, and balancing conservation with responsible resource utilization.

Discussions highlighted the need to harmonize existing forestry policies, address challenges in tenure applications, expand monitoring and enforcement capacities, and ensure long-term funding for forest rehabilitation. Lawmakers and forestry officials also emphasized sustainable timber plantations, protection of remaining forest cover, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported wood products.

13/05/2026

With profound sorrow, the Forestry Development Center (FDC) extends its deepest sympathy on the passing of our founding Director, Dr. Lucrecio L. Rebugio. His dedication, steadfast leadership, and brilliant mind helped shape the vision and mission of the Center and left a lasting impact on the institution and the many lives he touched through his work and service.

We are deeply grateful for the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of excellence, wisdom, and commitment that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Thank you, Dr. Rebugio, for your invaluable contributions and for the enduring legacy you shared with all of us. May you rest in peace. 🙏