TERMINAL REPORT - saveuplands.org BFPMS Malungon Terminal Report.pdf · TERMINAL REPORT January 2007 Page 2 Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme Municipality of Malungon

BARANGAY FOREST PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT SCHEME

UDP Project Implemented in Barangay Malungon Gamay Malungon, Sarangani Province

TERMINAL REPORT

June 7 to December 21, 2006

Service Provider:

KASILAK DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. Main Office:

Dole-Stanfilco Compound Dona Soccoro St,, Belisario Heights,

Lanang Davao City

Area Office: Dole-Stanfilco-SOCSARGEN Zone,

National Highway, Barangay Malandag Malungon, Sarangani Province

Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI) TERMINAL REPORT January 2007

Page 2 Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme

Municipality of Malungon

TABLE OF CONTENTS

No Contents Page 1 Introduction

3

2 The Service Provider

3

3 Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme 4 3.1 Rationale

3.2 Concerns and Issues 3.3 Objectives 3.4 Benefits 3.5 General Mechanisms 3.6 Salient features 3.7 Methodologies 3.8 Planned Activities

4 Actual Activities Conducted 7 4.1 Identification and Assessment of the Barangay Forest Protected Area

4.2 Institutional Arrangements with Various Stakeholders 4.3 Information Education Campaigns 4.4 Formation of Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council &

Appointment of Forest Guards 4.5 Signing of Site Management Agreement 4.6 Site Survey and Actual Fencing of the Protected Area 4.7 Declaration of the Barangay Forest Protected Area 4.8 On-Site Project Assistance 4.9 Assessment and Planning 4.10 Study Tour

7 8 9

10

11 12 13 15 16 16

5 Actual Accomplishments and Results 17 5.1 Expected Outputs and Accomplished Outputs and Results 6 Issues, Insights and Recommendations 18 6.1 Issues and Concerns

6.2 Lessons Learned 6.3 Recommendations

7 Annexes 7.1 Barangay Profile of Malungon Gamay

7.2 Activity Programs 7.3 Minutes of BFPMSC Meetings 7.4 Panaad sa Katilingban 7.5 Stakeholders’ Covenant (Institutional MOA) 7.6 Site Map 7.7 GPS Form 7.8 Barangay Ordinances and Resolutions on BFPMS 7.9 Site Management Agreement 7.10 Attendance Sheets 7.11 Assessment (Balik-Susi) 7.12 BFPMSC-VMG 7.13 Mga Plano 7.14 Sulat




Part I. Introduction

This report presents a documentation of the entire implementation of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme (BFPMS) facilitated by the Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. in Barangay Malungon Gamay, Sarangani Province. This documentation covers all the activities conducted from June 2006 to December 2006. The entire project was jointly implemented by the following stakeholders: Municipal Local Government Unit of Malungon, Barangay Local Government Unit of Barangay Malungon Gamay, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-DENR, Dole Stanfilco and the Kasilak Development Foundation Inc.

Part II. The Service Provider

Kasilak Development Foundation, Incorporated (KDFI) was organized in March 03, 1997 as a sustainable mechanism of the Libuganon River Reforestation project, which was co-funded by Dole Philippines Inc.-Stanfilco and the United States Agency for international Development ( USAID ). Encouraged by the gains of the reforestation and the positive responses of the communities and the local government units surrounding the Libuganon River, the Board of Trustees saw the need to continue and expand the social development and environmental activities of the foundation in Davao provinces and nearby areas.

Kasilak is a non-profit and non-stock social development foundation. It was registered as a foundation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 02,1997 with Registration no. D1997-00568. Its primary goal is the realization of Sustainable Development in the communities of Central & Southern Mindanao. Its strategic directions is to develop, implement and sustain appropriate programs and services. The major programs of the foundation are watershed Management, Livelihood Assistance, educations and Health. The foundation emphasizes strong coordination and partnership with National, Local Government Units, Community Based organizations and other development organization operating within the assisted areas. Given its thrust on environmental protection and conservation, KDFI has expressed its intent to become a partner and main facilitator in the implementation of the scheme. Its aim in participating in the piloting of the BFPMS is to gain actual experiences on how to implement the scheme and see the possibility of integrating this into its existing programs/services and introducing this endeavor to business corporations in promoting Social Corporate Responsibility to the local communities.




As a service provider, the KDFI acts the facilitator and coach to the local government units in implementing the scheme in Barangay Malungon Gamay. Since this is a pilot implementation, it is tasked to test the implementation of UDP’s general guidelines on BFPMS and consciously document the actual processes of the scheme. At the same time, KDFI is tasked to coach the local government unit, particularly the Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Office (MENRO) in implementing the scheme.

Part III. Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme

3.1 Rationale

The Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme (BFPMS) was conceptualized by the Upland Development Programme to address the destruction of the remaining forests in the uplands caused by the expansion of inappropriate farming and other destructive activities in very steep lands. This “on-site” forest management approach aims at empowering and putting the responsibility on the Barangay Local Government Units and the local communities in managing the natural resources within the barangay. Its guidelines are based on the devolved functions of the DENR on forest management to the Local Government Units provided in DENR-DILG JMC 98-01 and 2003-01.

3.2 Concerns and Issues to be Addressed The following are concerns and issues that the scheme directly addresses:

1. Lack of appreciation of the communities and LGUs on the value of forest as source of water supply and protective cover to minimize soil degradation.

2. Lack of commitment and capacities of the barangay government units and local communities in protecting and managing the barangay forests

3. Inefficient community-based extension services to disseminate information on forest protection and management.

3.3 Objectives General Objective:

To protect and rehabilitate the remaining forest pockets and ecologically critical areas in the upland barangays.




Specific Objectives:

1. Enhanced awareness of the entire barangay on the importance of protecting the remaining forests and ecologically critical areas within the barangays;

2. Motivated and trained Barangay LGU officials, NGO’s, PO’s and local community organizations in protecting and managing the remaining forests and other ecologically critical areas as forest protection zones within the barangay;

3. Declared barangay forest protection areas through corresponding barangay ordinances adopted by the Municipal LGU, DENR and NCIP.

4. Installed and operational community-based and site-specific forest protection and management plan;

5. Forged partnership among the Barangay LGU, Municipal LGU, DENR, NCIP and local communities in managing the forestlands at the barangay level.

6. Established LGU mechanisms for the adoption and replication of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme to other barangays within the municipality

3.4 Benefits

1. Preserved forestlands consequently, maintain the ecological balance in the environment.

2. Improved water sources and river systems in the uplands that would adequately supply water and prevent floods in the lowlands.

3. Increased commitment and enhanced capacity of the barangay local government units and local communities in protecting and managing the environment.

4. Mobilized resources from DENR, Municipal LGU, Barangay LGU, local communities and other donor agencies, including private sector, for the protection and management of the forestlands.

3.5 Salient features

1. BLGU and community-led forest protection and management 2. Small-scale, site-specific and locally customized forest

management plans 3. Limited external resources needed and cost effective 4. More manageable and can be easily monitored and replicated to

other sites 5. More defined roles of MLGU, BLGU and DENR in forest

protection 6. Improved barangay and municipal governance in forest protection

3.6 Methodologies

1. Identification, delineation and declaration of the identified site as Protected Zone based on the Barangay Land Use Plan integrated in the Barangay Development Plan formulated by BLGU and community




2. Drafting and execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the BLGU, MLGU, DENR and local communities

3. Formation of Barangay Forest Protection and Management Team and deputization of representatives from the Barangay LGU and local community organizations (such as UBA) as Barangay Forest Protection Officers

4. Assessment and Formulation of a site-specific Forest Protection and Management Plan for the identified forest protected area

5. Actual Implementation of the site-specific Forest Protection and Management Plan

6. Monitoring and Evaluation of the Site-specific Forest Protection and Management Plan

3.7 Planned Activities: Steps Major Activities Planned Activities

a. Preparatory Activities - Leveling off between the MLGU, BLGU,UDP and Service Provider

- Contract Signing between UDP and the Service Provider

- Courtesy Call to BLGU and MLGU and UDP’s Provincial Project Office

b. Identification of the

Barangay Forest Protected Zone

- Barangay Official Consultation: Review of LUB-BDP maps

- Data Gathering/Profiling of the identified site

c. Institutional Arrangements with Various Stakeholders

- Meeting with various stakeholders DENR, NCIP, MLGU, BLGU, PLGU re: defining roles and functions

- MOA Signing (Covenant Signing)

d. Information Education Campaign

- Immersion in affected purok/sitio - Individual consultation to forest occupants - Purok/Sitio Orientation on BFPM - Environmental Awareness Seminar at the

Barangay and Purok levels

e. Formation of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Council and Appointment of Forest Guards

- Formation of the BFPMC - Orientation-Session with the BFPMC - Oath Taking of the BFPMC - Appointment of Forest Guards

f. Site Management Agreement

- Negotiation with forest occupants - Drafting of the Site Management Agreement - Formal Signing of the Site Management

Agreement




Steps Major Activities Planned Activities g. Delineation of the

Protected Area and Actual Fencing-Off

- Formation and Orientation of the Survey Team - Purchase of Materials / Supplies for GPS

Perimeter Survey - Processing of the Site Map - Fencing-off through planting in buffer zone and

installation of subsidiary billboards h. Declaration of the

Barangay Forest Protected Zone

- Formulation of Barangay and Municipal Ordinance ( Public Hearing, SB Approval)

- Installation of the Main billboards

i. On-Site Project Assistance

- Implementation of alternative livelihood projects (handicraft using plastic straps)

- Establishment of purok-based nurseries -

j. Assessment and Planning with Barangays and Municipal LGU’s

- Assessment Workshop with the forest occupants, BLGU’s MLGU’s, UDP, KDFI, DENR

k. Training and Study Tours - Conduct of various trainings and study tours l. Writing and Packaging of

Report - submission of monthly reports, midterm and

terminal reports

Part IV. Actual Activities Conducted

4.1 Identification and Assessment of the Barangay Forest Protected Area

During the first month of the project implementation, KDFI was able to facilitate the identification of the proposed Barangay Forest Protected Zone. This was done through a consultation with the barangay officials in reviewing the results of the LUB-BDP formulated in 2005. Immediately after the consultation, the service provider and the MLGU representative conducted a profiling and gathered further information

about the forest occupants in the area. The thorough social investigation and physical inventory of the forest site was made possible and successful because of the actual immersion of the KDFI community organizer in the area. The said three-weeks immersion of the community organizer resulted to a better rapport as well as gained the trust and confidence of the local occupants to the service provider.

Location of the Protected Area




4.2 Institutional Arrangements with Various Stakeholders

Last Week of June 27, 2007, KDFI with the Barangay Local Government Officals conducted the STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM. The partner agencies that attended the said forum were: UDP, DENR, PLGU, MLGU, Dole-Stanfilco, and Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. The said forum was also attended by the entire community who are recognized as the principal stakeholder in protecting the identified forest area. There were three hundred thirty (330) participants who witnessed the said forum. Most of the participants were the parents, students, teachers and representatives from various agencies. The forum started with a symbolic planting of 180 mahogany seedlings along the side of the roads. During the forum, the participants were given an orientation of the BFPMS and a presentation of the map where the identified site is located. The expected roles and functions of the various stakeholders were also presented and explained by the Barangay Captain of Barangay Malungon Gamay to the representatives of various agencies present during the forum. The service provider was also introduced and the five-months action plan

was presented to the partners and the community. The open forum was highlighted with the anxieties raised by the site occupants who attended the forum. The matter was deliberately discussed and they were given assurance that they will be consulted in all activities and decisions that will be made regarding the said forest. The said forum was a very significant start to the implementation of the scheme especially to the local communities who comprised the majority of the participants. The forum ended with the signing of the covenant streamer as a symbol of partnership and commitment in protecting and conserving the remaining and endangered forest in Barangay Malungon Gamay. Institutional Arrangements with

Tree Planting before the forum.

KDFI presented an orientation of BFPMS Activities

Symbolic signing of commitment to protect the forests.

Community residents witnessed the Stakeholders’ Forum




4.3 Information Education Campaign

During the 2nd month of implementation, the KDFI Community Organizer together with the members of the BFPMC and the MLGU representative conducted series of cluster-based information, education campaign activities (IEC) composed of residents from targeted puroks and sitios. A house to house

visitation to the forest occupants was also undertaken to ensure that the affected households will support to the program activities. There were four (4) on-site IEC activities conducted and attended by almost 480 people.

During the IEC sessions, the residents were able to understand and appreciate the Bio-Diversity concepts and environmental laws regulating the forests. They were also informed about global, national and local environmental situation. The highlight of the IEC was the discussion on the agreements that will

be included in the Site Management Agreement between the forest occupants and the LGU regarding the protection and management of the identified forest protected area. During the said IEC, the residents also recommended persons who will become the Barangay Forest Guards as well as nominated representative to the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Council.

On-site IEC with the forest occupants

Poblacion-based IEC for the general public in the barangay

Environmental Awareness Session for Children

Sitio and Purok Level Environment Awareness Campaign (EAC) sessions




PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED: The major problem encountered during this was the delayed release of funds from the Municipal LGU for IEC activities. The scheduled IEC activities was postponed for four (4) times because of this reason. In order to pursue the scheduled activities and maintain the momentum started during the stakeholders’ forum, the KDFI

has advanced their organizational funds to defray the logistical needs for the series of on-site IEC.

4.2 Various Stakeholder 4.4 Formation of the BFPMC and Appointment of Forest Guards

The Barangay LGU convened a meeting among the different representatives in the community to form the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Council (BFPMC) and appoint the forest guards recommended by the people during the IEC.

The Vision, Mission and Goals of the BFPMC and the roles and functions were formulated during the said workshop. The council is composed of forty five (45) members including the forest guards. (see annex)

The members of the BFPMC and Barangay Forest Guards took oath during the Araw ng Barangay Malungon Gamay. They oath taking was done by the Board Member Octavio in the presence of UDP Provincial Project Manager Ike Matunog, Municipal Mayor Padernilla, Vice Mayor Gulley, Kagawad Jun Lara and some representatives from the Provincial LGU.

Members of the BFPMC and Appointed Forest Guards

Discussion on the roles and functions of the BFPMCouncil

Environmental Awareness Session for In and Out-of-School Youth

VMG Workshop of BFPMCouncil




4.5 Signing of the Site Management Agreement The series of IEC activities have significantly prepared the barangay LGU to initiate the signing of the site management agreement with the forest occupants. Because of the thorough

discussion given during the IEC on the content of the site management agreement, there Barangay LGU did not experience resistance from the forest occupants in protecting the identified forest areas were their farms are nearly located.

The signing of the site management agreements was conducted in August 2006. Fifty seven (57) forest occupants individually signed their agreements. Most of the forest occupants were appointed forest guards of the barangay. The signing ceremony was done in the site led by Barangay Captain Rogelio Arante with his Barangay Council and KDFI. The members of

the BFPMC also assisted during the signing of the SMA. The forest occupants willingly signed the said agreement in their good faith and commitment to defend the forests in their area. Immediately after the signing of the Site Management Agreement , the BLGU processed the notarization of the SMAs. The content of the SMAs were used in the formulation of the barangay ordinance which was done hereinafter.

Barangay Captain Arante convingcing the forest occupants to protect the forest

.. forest occupant willingly signing the Individual Site Management Agreement

The community witnessing the signing of Individual Site Management Agreements

Forest occupants during the Site Management Agreement in the area




4.6 Site Survey and Actual Fencing of the Protected Area

The conduct of the perimeter survey was delayed because of the late release of the funds for the activity. After series of postments, the perimeter survey was conducted in September 2006. In order to cope with the delayed implementation of activities, the Barangay LGU decided to fence off through on-site tree

planting, marking and installation of subsidiary billboards in the perimeter of the protected area.

There were a total of seventeen (17) members of the survey team composed of 13 from the residents, 3 from Municipal Planning Office and 1 from KDFI. The team was divided into two (2). The team was provided with their needs for the 4-day survey. These were travel allowances and other logistical needs such as rain coats, boots, medicines, foods, 250 hills of Mahogany seedlings, paints and others. After survey, the team downloaded and processed the GPS readings with the Municipal LGU GIS operator. The survey reported that the area comprised a total of 346.83 hectares.

GPS readings of the actual boundary of the protected area

The survey team composed of MLGU staff, BLGU officials and forest occupants

Actual markings through planting of trees along the boundary of the protected area

Tracking along the steepy hills of the protected area

Sharing shelter and food with the forest occupants for four days

Installation of subsidiary billboards during the perimeter survey




4.7 Declaration of the Forest Protected Area

The Barangay Ordinances regulating the Barangay Forest Protected Area was finally formulated by the Barangay Council last August 2006. These are Barangay Ordinance No. 9 and No. 10. Barangay Ordinance No. 9 refers to the declaration of the Barangay LGU of the 346.82 hectares as protected area of the barangay. In support to this, the Barangay Ordinance No. 10

refers to the implementing guidelines for the protection and management of the said protected area. On Sept 25, 2007, a barangay assembly was convened by the BLGU. The assembly was facilitated by the members of the Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council and KDFI. During the assembly, the council presented the Barangay Ordinances No. 9 & 10, as well as the signed MOA among the various stakeholders. The members of the Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council and the appointed forest guards were also presented to the barangay assembly. The forest occupants were also presented during the assembly. Several questions regarding the Barangay Ordinances were raised by the residents. However, these were made clarified by the BLGU officials during

the assembly. The barangay ordinances were finally approved by the assembly participated by 261 residents and 38 forest occupants. As a sign of gratitude to their participation, the participants received the 300 grafted seedlings of lansones, pomelo and durian to be planted in their own farms.

Signing of the barangay ordinance

Presentation of the barangay ordinances to the general assembly

Distribution of fruit and forest tree seedlings to the participants




The Barangay Ordinances of Barangay Malungon Gamay went through a process of SB hearing. The Municipal Ordinance supporting / approving the barangay ordinances No. 9 and 10 was endorsed by Municipal Councilor Jun Lara, Committee Chairperson for Environment. There were some issues raised by the SB regarding the penalties and these were taken seriously by the Barangay LGU in rectifiying the barangay ordinance. The Municipal Ordinance concurring to the Barangay Ordinance in declaring the Barangay Forest Protected Area in Barangay Malungon Gamay was finally approved last November 2006. Subsequently, the main billboard was installed to inform the public about the said regulation. This was established on the main road leading to the site.

Participants to the Barangay General Assembly




4.8 On-Site Project Assistance

In order to sustain the participation of the forest occupants, the KDFI initiated two (2) on-site projects namely the Nursery Establishment and the Women Handicraft Production Projects. This was made possible through the financial assistance from Dole-Stanfilco as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The nursery project was implemented in Purok 9 and 11. The trainings on nursery establishment was given by the KDFI- community organizer who happened to be a a forester and the Agricultural Technician assigned in the barangay. The KDFI provided one sack of durian seeds & recycled plastic bags to start the bagging. The handicraft project was implemented with the Barangay BEAM students and women in Purok 9. The women and the students were trained how to weave different handicrafts using recycled plastic straps.

As part of the expanded work, the KDFI also assisted in the accreditation of the Upland Barangay Association (UBA) of the barangay. KDFI facilitated the one-day orientation session various accrediting institutions such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Assurance System (Philhealth). The members of the UBA as well of other local organizations in the barangay attended the said orientation.

Participants to the Barangay General Assembly

Handicraft Project using plastic strips for Purok 9 and BEAM women beneficiaries

Orientation by DOLE, SSS, Philhealth for local organizations in the barangay




Forest Guards ParaLegal Training

4.10 Assessment and Planning

In preparation for the Assessment, the members of the BFPMSC came up with a pre-assessment workshop to review and assess the accomplishment of the project. During this preliminary activity, the members were able to come up with an initial assessment of the project which will be presented during the actual assessment.

The Assessment and Planning was conducted last Nov. 10, 2006. The barangay forest protection and management plan was also formulated and approved by the body during the said workshop. The plan included the sustainable management and protection of the forest protected area as well as replication activities for other possible protected sites within the barangay. The unveiling of the billboard was also done during the activity. There were 120 residents who attended the said activity. There assessment was also attended by the representatives from the Municipal Agriculturist, SB member Jun Lara and some personnel from UDP and KDFI. The Vice Municipal Mayor also attended but left immediately for other appointment.

4.11 Trainings and Study Tours

PARALEGAL SEMINAR FOR FOREST GUARDS. After a very long period of waiting, the TAMA funds were released by the Municipal LGU on the 2nd week of December 2006. The BFPMSC members pursued the postponed trainings. The Para-Legal Seminar on Environmental Laws for Forest Guard was finally conducted. The training was supposed to be handled by the PENRO based in Alabel. But since they were not able to come , the KDFI took over to handle the training.

Pre-Assessment Session attended by the BFPM Council Members and Forest Guards

Assessment and Planning Session attended by partner agencies and municipal and barangay officials




STUDY TOUR IN BUKIDNON. A two (2) day Study Tour was conducted in December 2006. There were thirty eight (38) BFPMSC members who attended the tour to North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao. The participants visited and interviewed KDFI PO partners implementing forest protection and conservation projects. The organizations visited were KAANIB, Kinaiyahan Group Voluteers (KGV) , Womens Livelihood of Lake Apo, Kitanglad PO Nursery and Individual Farms, Dole Vegetable City, CEDAR, Carabao Center, Malagus Women’s Garment & Services Cooperative. During the said tour, the KDFI facilitated an assessment of the activities and processed the learnings of the participants. The sharing with the volunteer forest guards of Kitanglad and the sharing with the Lake Apo Women’s Group were the most memorable and fruitful experiences according to most of the participants. Based on the sharing, the participants became more motivated to pursue their mission in protecting the remaining forest of their barangay.

Part 5 : Accomplished Outputs and Results

Based on the expected outputs of the project, the following were the major accomplishments of the 6-months implementation of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme in the area:

Expected Outputs Accomplishment Outputs and Results 1. Enhanced awareness of the entire

barangay on the importance of protecting the remaining forests and ecologically critical areas within the barangays;

• More than 400 residents (including the youth) have attended the various IECs, home visitation, forum and other activities conducted during the period.

• Revived the Youth Organization (United Relation for Development and Service – URDS) that has significantly contributed to the implementation of the program.

Sharing between the BFPM Forest Guards of Malungon and the Forest Guards of Mt. Kitanglad , Bukidnon (KGV)

Exposure to the Ecopark managed by the Municipal LGU




Expected Outputs Accomplishment Outputs and Results

2. Motivated and trained Barangay LGU officials, NGO’s, PO’s and local community organizations in protecting and managing the remaining forests and other ecologically critical areas as forest protection zones within the barangay;

• Organized and mobilized the Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council of the barangay composed of leaders from religious sector, People’s Organization, Youth Groups and School Teachers

• Deepened the commitment and enhanced the participation of the Barangay LGU officials in formulating and implementing the barangay ordinance on environmental protection.

3. Declared barangay forest

protection areas through corresponding barangay ordinances adopted by the Municipal LGU, DENR and NCIP.

• Through Barangay Ordinance Nos 9 and 10 Series of 2006 with the approval of Municipal Ordinance No. ___ Series of 2006, the 348 hectares of forest within Mt. Tingali was declared as the Barangay Forest Protected Area of Barangay Malungon Gamay. The said local ordinance was recognized by the DENR .

4. Installed and operational community-based and site-specific forest protection and management plan.

• Formulated, implemented and assessed the Six-Months BFPMS Implementation Plan

• Formulated the BFPMS continuity plan for the sustainable protection and management of the existing forest protected area and for the replication to other sites within the barangay.

5. Forged partnership among the Barangay LGU, Municipal LGU, DENR, NCIP and local communities in managing the forestlands at the barangay level.

• Formulated and signed Memorandum of Agreement (or covenant) among various stakeholders namely DENR, MLGU, PLGU and Dole-Stanfilco.

6. Established LGU mechanisms for the adoption and replication of the Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme to other barangays within the municipality

• Enhanced commitment of the SB Committee Chairperson on Environment to replicate the scheme to other barangays.

• In the absence of MENRO office and staff, the Agriculture Technicians assigned in the area acquired experiences on how to conduct and replicate the activities to other barangays

Part 6 : ISSUES, INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Major Issues and Concerns

1. The delayed releases of TAMA Funds by the Municipal LGU has disrupted some important processes and delayed the implementation of the planned activities. The lack of appreciation and information about the scheme by other Municipal Offices such as Accounting, Budget, General Services that are involved in the logistical support have resulted to some irritants and conflicts among the local implementors.

2. The absence of a full-time MENROfficer or MENRO staff resulted to the limited participation and lack of focus of the designate MENRO (who primarily acts as the Municipal Agriculturist) as well as the assigned Agricultural Technician in the entire implementation of the BFPMS.




3. The limited participation and inadequate technical support of DENR during the implementation despite the series of invitation given to them have affected some planned activities such as trainings and seminars.

4. The unclear role of the Provincial LGU-ENRO and its limited coordination with the MLGU has resulted to its very limited participation in the entire process.

6.2 Insights

1. The quality of community organizing processes and IEC activities are essential in the implementation of the BFPMS. The community immersion and integration of KDFI’s staff and the on-site and individual IEC activities have helped in gaining the support of the community especially the forest occupants who are most affected by the scheme.

2. The BFPMS needs to be rooted at the barangay level involving not only the Barangay LGU Officials but also the key leaders of various sectors in the community. The formation of the Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council composed of representatives from influential local sectors (such as education, religious, POs, etc.) has contributed to wide coverage of the IEC activities and eventually extensive participation of the local communities from varied sector.

3. The active and full involvement of the MLGU is crucial in the implementation of the scheme. As the facilitator of the scheme, the MLGU needs to officially establish the full-time MENROffice, appoint full-time staff and allocate funds to implement and replicate the scheme. Unless the MENROffice will be established and made operational, it is difficult for the MLGU to sustain the implementation and replication of the scheme to other barangays.

4. The role of DENR in the implementation and sustainability of the scheme is imperative especially on the legal and technical aspects. The deputation and support to the barangay forest guards still have to be addressed by the DENR.

6.3 Recommendations

Municipal LGU: 1. Create the MENROffice and appoint full-time staff to implement and

replicate the BFPMS to other barangays 2. Seriously enforce the Municipal Ordinance on the Barangay Forest

Protected Area in Barangay Malungon Gamay and formulate more ordinance for the protection of other critical forest areas in other barangays

3. Implement the formulated Municipal BFPMS Sustainability and Replication Plan and allocate budget for the implementation of the BFPMS

4. Tap and develop partnership with local institutions such as corporations, academe to adopt and support the barangays that are interested to implement the scheme.

5. Provide follow-up mechanisms such as meetings, site visitation, trainings to the Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council of Barangay Malungon Gamay to sustain their interest and commitment.




6. Closely coordinate with the local DENR for the processing of the deputation of the appointed barangay forest guards.

Barangay LGU: 1. Implement the Barangay Sustainability and Replication Plan 2. Barangay LGU to regularize the meeting and activities of the BFPMSC 3. Allocate regular budget for the forest protected area 4. Sustain the on-site tree planting and monitoring activities in the protected

area 5. Encourage the various community organizations to implement the “adopt-

a-site scheme” in enhancing and sustaining the vegetation of the protected area.

6. Maintain the established nurseries in the protected area and establishment of more purok-based and barangay nurseries within the barangay.

7. Tap and establish partnership with external organizations such as Dole-Stanfilco in replicating the scheme to other areas such as riverbanks within the barangay.

Provincial LGU: 1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities of the PLGU-ENRO and its

coordination mechanisms in implementing and replicating the BFPMS 2. PENRO-LGU to appoint a point person to coordinate with the Municipal

LGUs in implementing the scheme 3. Come up with provincial plan and allocate budget to support the

implementation of the Municipal LGUs. 4. Come up with provincial resolution / ordinance that would support the

implementation of the scheme. DENR: 1. Speed-up the processing of the deputation of the appointed forest guards of

Barangay Malungon Gamay. 2. Sustain support especially technical and legal assistance to the

BFPMCouncil and forest guards 3. Mainstream the BFPMS into its existing programs and services such as

CBFM, Protected Areas Management Bureau, etc. 4. Appoint staff who will act as anchor person to coordinate with LGUs

requesting for technical and legal assistance related to BFPMS KDFI: 1. Integrate the scheme in its existing resource management programs and

services 2. Promote the scheme to partner business corporation as a possible project in

implementing its corporate social responsibility mandate such as “Adopt-A-Mountain”, nursery establishment, tree planting, etc.

3. Promote the scheme to existing partner Barangay and Municipal LGUs Speed-up the processing of the deputation of the appointed forest guards of Barangay Malungon Gamay.




GRATITUDE

Our sincerest gratitude and deepest appreciation to all our friends and partners in this short journey:

Barangay Local Government Unit of Malungon Gamay Purok 9. 11 & Mt. Tangali Occupants

Barangay Forest Protection Multi-Sectoral Council Members United Relation for Development Services ( Youth )

Malungon Gamay Elementary School PTCA Malungon Gamay National High School

Local Government Unit of Municipality of Malungon Provincial Local Government Unit – Sarangani

Municipal Agriculture Office of Malungon Dole Stanfilco – SOCSARGEN Zone

DepED, DENR, NCIP, PNP, AFP Upland Development Programme

SSS, DOLE, PhilHealth

and those who in one way or the other

have contributed to the success of this project.

DAGHANG SALAMAT! KASILAK DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, Inc.

Documents

TERMINAL REPORT - saveuplands.org BFPMS Malungon Terminal Report.pdf · TERMINAL REPORT January 2007 Page 2 Barangay Forest Protection and Management Scheme Municipality of Malungon