ANNEX P – LETTER REQUEST FOR DENR ENDORSEMENT

[On Official Letterhead]

Date: ___________________

Hon. ____________________________
Regional Executive Director
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
[Address]

Subject: Request for DENR Endorsement – Pilot Implementation of Agarwood Farming NC I–III under TESDA

Dear Hon. ____________________________:

Warm greetings.

We respectfully submit this letter to request the formal endorsement of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region IV-A (CALABARZON) for the pilot implementation of the proposed TESDA National Certificate (NC) Qualifications on Agarwood Farming (NC I, NC II, and NC III), to be conducted initially in Cavite Province.

Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) is a high-value, regulated non-timber forest product (NTFP) with significant potential for livelihood generation, agroforestry development, and forest conservation when managed responsibly. However, the absence of a specialized national competency standard has resulted in inconsistent practices, regulatory gaps, and limited farmer capacity in compliance, traceability, and sustainability.

The proposed Agarwood Farming NC I–III program aims to:

  • Promote DENR-compliant cultivation and management of agarwood trees;
  • Strengthen farmer knowledge on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and ethical sourcing;
  • Support national commitments under CITES and sustainable forest management frameworks;
  • Professionalize agarwood farming through standardized, competency-based training;
  • Align livelihood development with forest conservation and climate-resilient agroforestry.

The pilot program is designed in close alignment with:

  • DENR policies on NTFP development and forest protection;
  • DA–ATI farmer training frameworks;
  • TESDA competency-based technical–vocational education and training standards.

In this regard, we respectfully request the DENR’s endorsement and technical concurrence to:

  1. Recognize agarwood as a priority NTFP for skills development;
  2. Support the CALABARZON pilot implementation through policy alignment and guidance;
  3. Encourage participation of DENR field offices in advisory, monitoring, or observer roles, as appropriate.

Attached for your reference are the following documents:

  • Policy Brief: Justification for a Standalone Agarwood Farming Qualification
  • Draft Training Regulations (NC I–III)
  • Curriculum Map, Trainer’s Guide, and Methodology Guide
  • Alignment Matrix (TESDA–DENR–DA)
  • Pilot Implementation Framework (CALABARZON – Cavite)

We believe that this initiative will contribute meaningfully to sustainable forestry, regulated agarwood trade, and community-based conservation livelihoods, in line with the DENR’s mandate.

We would be honored to discuss this proposal further at your convenience. Thank you for your continued leadership and support in advancing sustainable forest-based enterprises.

Respectfully yours,

Name
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Noted by:

TESDA Partner /