Deforestation and Customary Forests: A Comparison of Indonesia and the Philippines

Deforestation in Indonesia and the Philippines continues to intensify, threatening biodiversity, carbon stocks, and the cultural survival of indigenous peoples. The urgency of addressing this issue is evident in the persistent loss of primary forests, weak protection of customary land rights, and the limited use of transparent monitoring systems in both countries. This study compares the effectiveness of forest governance frameworks in Indonesia and the Philippines by examining the role of indigenous communities and the integration of Earth Observation (EO) technology in deforestation monitoring. Using a normative juridical approach supported by literature review, this research analyzes regulatory policies, legal decisions, and forest management mechanisms. The findings show that Indonesia’s REDD+, CBFM, and licensing reforms are constrained by structural barriers, low community participation, and inadequate recognition of customary forests. Meanwhile, the Philippines demonstrates stronger community-based approaches, including rainforestation and more advanced EO-based monitoring that supports evidence-driven policy making. This study highlights the urgent need for Indonesia to strengthen legal recognition of customary forests, reform its licensing system, and adopt more transparent, technology-based monitoring. The comparative insights offered by this research contribute to developing inclusive, rights-based, and data-supported forest governance in both countries