The paper briefly assesses the forest resources, general forestland uses, and current forestry management practices in the Philippines. It argues the need for forestry planning as an integral part of national and regional planning. It points out the gaps between sound forestry planning concepts and objectives and actual forest management practices. To fill these gaps, it indicates directions, strategies and priority areas that forestland use planning might take with the objective of rationalizing and improving the exploitation, utilization, protection and preservation of forestlands as a vital element of the national patrimony.