The Forestry Development Center (FDC) was established in 11 June 1978 through the enactment of PD 1559.  Its mandate is to conduct basic policy researches in forestry and develop or help develop an efficient machinery for forestry policy formulation and implementation.  It started operating in 1981 after its initial budget was released by the National Government. 

Since then, it has been the goal of FDC to develop comprehensive policies responsive to local, national and global concerns toward the attainment of sustainable forestry and natural resources. The current policy and advocacy works of FDC involves forest certification, non-timber forest products, and sustainable forest management.