KNOWLEDGE, IMPLEMENTATION, AND COMPLIANCE WITH FORESTRY LAWS AMONG FOREST-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES: TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Forests are among the valuable natural resources of the Philippines due to their environmental, social and economic significance. Sadly, these resources gradually disappearing due to continued deforestation. This study determines the level of knowledge, compliance and implementation of the forestry laws among the forest-dependent communities in Cagayan. Determine whether there’s a significant relationship between knowledge level and profile, the compliance level and profile, and determine whether compliance level is related to the level of knowledge and whether compliance level is related to the level of implementation of the forestry laws among the respondent’s forest-dependent communities. The study used a descriptive and correlation research design. Findings yielded that the respondents are knowledgeable and submissive with the forestry laws and it is implemented in an acceptable level. The age, income, occupation is positively related with the level of knowledge. Educational attainment and income are positively associated with the level of compliance. Moreover, there’s a high positive correlation between the respondent’s knowledge and compliance as well as between compliance and implementation. From the results, it is suggested that a constant education drive to the forest-dependent communities about forestry laws and an aggressive enforcement campaign with emphasis on illegal cutting and unlawful occupation be conducted. The provision of alternative livelihood catering low-income families to reduce dependence on forest resources is encouraged. Enforcement capability be strengthened through the use of technology like remote sensing for monitoring and enlisting the help of the residents to reinforce enforcers in the enforcement of the forestry laws is encouraged.