At least three Facebook posts claim that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is selling 144,000 hectares of forest land in the Davao Region to private investors. This is misleading.
The post published on Nov. 6 features an image of President Ferdinand Marcos with a forest background and the text:
“144,000 EKTARYA NG FOREST LAND SA DAVAO REGION, IBEBENTA NG DENR SA PRIVATE INVESTORS.
(144,000 HECTARES OF FOREST LAND IN THE DAVAO REGION TO BE SOLD BY THE DENR TO PRIVATE INVESTORS.)”
The caption accompanying the image also reads:
“Binuksan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang humigit-kumulang 144,000 ektarya ng forest land sa Davao Region para sa mga pribadong mamumuhunan. Bahagi ito ng tinatayang 500,000 ektarya ng forest land sa buong Mindanao na inilaan para sa mga posibleng proyekto at pamumuhunan. Kabilang sa mga maaaring itayo o paunlarin sa mga lugar na ito ang agroforestry, tree plantations at renewable energy projects. Layunin ng hakbang na makahikayat ng pribadong mamumuhunan at makapagbukas ng mga oportunidad sa negosyo at trabaho
Source: Ulat tungkol sa DENR forest land investment initiative sa Mindanao
(The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has opened approximately 144,000 hectares of forest land in the Davao Region to private investors. This is part of an estimated 500,000 hectares of forest land across Mindanao designated for potential projects and investments. These areas may be developed for agroforestry, tree plantations, and renewable energy projects. The initiative aims to attract private investors and create business and employment opportunities.)”
While the DENR has identified this forest land for potential investors the government is not selling it.
Under the Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement, qualified investors may develop and manage designated forest areas for activities such as agroforestry, ecotourism, tree plantation and renewable energy projects. But ownership of the land will remain with the government. Investors must comply with government regulations and environmental safeguards.under a land-use agreement.
Article XII of the 1987 Constitution prohibits the alienation of forest lands, which are owned by the State. The Supreme Court has affirmed this provision, adding that these lands need to be legally reclassified as agricultural before they can be sold or privatized..
The misleading post surfaced after DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus Fragada cited the figures at the Mindanao Development Forum on Oct. 28.
Published by FB pages DuterteSara Supporters (created Nov. 15, 2022), Onad POV (created June 24, 2024, OLAER CHEF TV (created April 4, 2025) a personal blog and group page The Best Ka Inday Sara, the post has so far garnered 8,325 reactions; 2,446 comments; and 1,005 shares.
