KALIKASAN BCSD Knowledge Series EIGHT

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLES ORGANIZATIONS IN FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

PAGSUGOD SA PAGBULIG PARA SA LASANG

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO Members of the peoples organization CPAFFA in Brgy. Canlandog, Murcia learn the chambering method of growing seedlings, which need not be watered and are ready for planting in 3-6 months. This rainforestation technology training is part of the capacity building activities under the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project (USAIDFPE Project File Photo).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The case study writers would like to thank the members of the peoples organizations namely, Canlandog Pilot Agro-Forestry Farmers Association (CPAFFA), Tayap Upland Farmers Association (TUFA), and Benejiwan Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association (BISFFA), as well as the officers of Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers (TDDARMI) for providing data needed to write this case study. The case study writers are also grateful to MUAD for facilitating the interviews and providing data and pictures.

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLES ORGANIZATIONS IN FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

PAGSUGOD SA PAGBULIG PARA SA LASANG

APRIL 2013 Prepared by the Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) for the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) under the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project.

DISCLAIMER This publication is made possible through the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the case study writers and MUAD, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States government, or FPE.

MESSAGE FROM

DENR
In this emerging era of climate change, environment and natural resources (ENR) around the globe are threatened with destruction to an extent rarely seen in earths history. The mitigation of the pernicious effects of climate change compels government, particularly us in the DENR, to adapt an integrated approach to ENR planning and decision making. Constructive engagement, international partnerships, and collaboration with the different sectors of society are forged not only to brace up our limited resources, but more so to create an enabling policy environment that would enhance institutional and regulatory capacities. It is in this complicated and complex task of building partnerships with key stakeholders that we appreciate the role played by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). A catalyst for cooperation, the FPE blazes trails in efforts to promote and encourage international and local cooperation among NGOs, business groups, and communities towards developing good policies and effective programs on biodiversity and sustainable management. The case studies presented in this publication bear testament to FPEs leading role in facilitating collaborations for sustainable development. Without the foundations assistance and effort to involve key stakeholders cooperation, appropriate assessments regarding the current conditions and trends of eight key biodiversity areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao would not have been made. Our success, hence, in establishing reliable bases for developing goals and strategies for future biodiversity and sustainable management interventions in these areas can only be ensured with support from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

RAMON J. P. PAJE
DENR Secretary

MESSAGE FROM

USAID
The realization of our shared vision of broad-based and inclusive growth is greatly aided by enhancing environmental resilience and ensuring that the countrys bountiful natural resources and life-giving ecosystems services are sustainably managed while reducing the risk of disasters. The U.S. Government holds firm to its commitment to help the Government of the Philippines to achieve this goal. Expanding the network of environmental stakeholders and providing continued support to local governments and communities on proper natural resource management are crucial strategies to achieve this goal. With these in mind, our partnership with the Government of the Philippines has yielded a large network of partners that engages local communities and groups in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. We have helped empower our partners to be more involved in decision-making leading to better management and protection of natural resources that they depend on. This publication captures the key strategies applied through the years that Upscaling Forest Restoration Project attempted to scale up in the last two years in eight key forest areas of the country. Eight case studies feature committed forest guard volunteers, lessons from science-based forest restoration efforts with indigenous peoples, and partnership building among government, communities, and the private sector to restore forest habitats and watersheds. This collection of stories is a testament to the hard work of our partners, led by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment, which collaboratively worked with local stakeholders to ensure that the approaches employed, milestones achieved, and lessons learned from our forest restoration efforts are carefully documented. It is our hope that knowledge sharing through publications like this will become a staple element in how we sustain our efforts in forest management. There is wisdom from the grassroots, as we have valuably learned through our initiatives, which have significant impact at the national level. I invite you to read these stories and share them with your network and other organizations working towards biodiversity conservation and environmental resilience.

Mission Director, USAID/Philippines

GLORIA D. STEELE

MESSAGE FROM

FPE
FPEs twenty-one years of working with partners to save forests and sustain life have borne fruit. Eight (8) case studies documenting the progress and challenges in expanding forest governance in key biodiversity areas (KBAs) are now available to the public. The cases relate, among others, how our partner in Negros Occidental transformed a silent subsistence community to active forest protectors; how planting native tree species revived dying forests and earned income for farmers in Leyte; how synergistic partnerships among various agencies accelerated watershed rehabilitation in Davao City; and how the concept of social fencing in the provinces of Quezon and Laguna deepened the communities collective resolve and shared responsibility in guarding their forests for life. These are testaments of progress in FPEs conservation support. But the mission of the foundation is none more relevant than today, as scarcity of natural resources worsens hunger, climate change brings collateral damage to conservation investments, and unbridled population growth threatens the carrying capacity of our remaining forests. In almost all USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project sites, our partners continue to face the challenges of poverty, unsustainable economic development, and fragmented or uncoordinated conservation initiatives. Notably, this is the first time in many years that our long-time partners in conservation took the initiative of assessing and documenting what strategies worked and what could still work to sustainably protect our forests in KBAs. This is a conscious attempt to create tools and platforms for knowledge access and sharing. All these interesting case studies constitute the second set of KALIKASAN (Kaalamang Likas Yaman) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development series, one of FPEs regular publications. The first set describes the results of resource and socioeconomic assessments in selected KBAs. This second set combines best practices and lessons learned in forest restoration efforts under the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project. All Kalikasan BCSD series are packed with knowledge from projects and field experiences. FPE does not stop at merely making beautiful publications, but endeavors to translate knowledge into action towards improving our work and contribution to BCSD. Allow me to congratulate our project partners, the local government units in project sites, and USAID for making the case studies of the Up-Scaling Project possible. We hope our readers distill the lessons to guide future actions for more effective forest restoration and hunger alleviation.

NESTOR R. CARBONERA
Chair and CEO

MESSAGE FROM

MUAD
When the case study on MUADs experiences in involving peoples organizations in forest resource management was included in the activities of the Up-scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas Project, I was not certain on how to go about it, as we have had varied experiences in community-based resource management since 1995. A case study writeshop was organized by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment for the project team, along with professional writers namely Dr. Rowena Baconguis and Dr. Jose Medina. This led us to zero-in on the focus of the case study, hence, eventually coming up with the study title, Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organizations in Forest Resource Management. The case study outlines different levels of participation by the peoples organizations in the third district and Don Salvador Benedicto areas of North Negros Natural Park, as well as various forest resource management efforts implemented by MUAD Negros in partnership with FPE and in collaboration with various local government units and other civil society organizations starting in 2002. Three levels of participation were defined as the initiation, strengthening, and sustainability stages. The study also discussed the strategies and approaches employed by MUAD and partner peoples organizations to encourage local participation in forest resource management, the challenges faced in sustaining the efforts, and the lessons learned that could be of help to other development institutions working in similar fields. The management and staff of MUAD-Negros would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to USAID and the Foundation for the Philippine Environment for supporting the writing of this case study about MUADs experience.

REYNIC S. ALO

Executive Director

The BCSD Knowledge Series of FPE

Kaalamang Likas Yaman or simply, KALIKASAN, is the publication series of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (BCSD). Kaalaman is the Filipino term for knowledge while Likas Yaman is the term for nature or natural resources. Kaalamang Likas Yaman literally means knowledge of nature. As FPEs main thrust is BCSD in key biodiversity areas of the Philippines, this series is essential in presenting and promoting valuable theories, case studies, site assessments, best practices, and other learning materials. As Atty. Danny N. Valenzuela, FPE Chair and CEO (2010-2012), explains, That the work of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development has gone a long way in the past twenty years cannot be overemphasized. In fact, it has become imperative for FPE to embark into an appropriate, meaningful and innovative knowledge management systems in order to preserve and properly utilize the significant learnings out of its various collaborations with partners in key biodiversity areas all over the country. As a major repository of the knowledge base of FPE and its partners, KALIKASAN will serve as a series of dynamic and enriching resource materials that will educate the readers, in particular those involved in the environmental protection of key biodiversity areas, and equip them with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Kaalamang Likas Yaman may also refer to the richness (yaman) of natural or intuitive knowledge (kaalamang likas). This is in recognition of the a priori knowledge of the local communities in FPE areas of operation and concern, especially among the grassroots communities and indigenous peoples, in environmental protection and conservation. KALIKASAN seeks to serve as a comprehensive BCSD reference and research source while tapping and augmenting the existing knowledge base of its partners, beneficiaries and communities. This is the legacy of the current FPE leadership to the next generation of Filipino environmentalists who will continue and further develop the current advocacies and endeavors of FPE and its partners.

KALIKASAN

USAID-FPE PROJECT

Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas

For more than two decades, FPE has been at the forefront of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Philippines. FPE operates as a catalyst for cooperation, fund facilitator, and grant maker in order to save species, conserve sites, and sustain communities. Capitalizing on previous and existing forest restoration initiatives of its local site partners, FPE, in partnership with USAID, implemented the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project from 2011 to 2013. This project seeks to address the decline of the Philippine forests by strengthening the protection of approximately 170,000 hectares of forest habitats and reforesting a total of 480 hectares within 8 sites in the bioregions of Cebu, Negros, Leyte (Eastern Visayas), Luzon and Mindanao. The project has also instituted mechanisms to sustain conservation efforts and continuously affect a macro-level of consciousness among stakeholders. FPE supports its partners on sites in drawing lessons from projects and sharing results of research and experiences. FPE considers the knowledge gathered and lessons learned by the forest resource managers peoples organizations (POs), indigenous peoples organization (IPOs), forest guards and wardens, and the communities themselves as one of its strategic assets in improving methodologies, practices and systems toward BCSD. The Federation of Multisectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) has been working with peoples organizations (POs) in the reforestation of the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP). For the first time in nearly 25 years, MUAD conducted an assessment on the nature and levels of participation of their PO partners through the USAID-FPE project. MUAD hopes that knowledge gained from this scientific way of evaluating peoples involvement will improve forest rehabilitation efforts of other organizations by learning how to effectively engage with POs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY CONTEXT ANALYSIS Project Initiation Capacity Building Project Implementation Sustaining Participation and Project Gains DISTILLING LESSONS ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Activities Related to Project Initiation Table 2: Capacity-Building Activities Table 3: Role of Peoples Organizations in Project Implementation LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of NNNP Figure 2. UCARE Integrated Forest-Farming Model LIST OF BOXED STORIES BOX 1: Enhancing Peoples Capacities in Forest Resource Management through CBCP BOX 2: Putting Indigenous Knowledge to Use BOX 3: Building Capacities in Reforestation: CPAFFA BOX 4: Problems in Enhancing Agri-based farming

1 2 3 4 5 6 8 8 14 16 20 21 24 8 10 16 7 17 5 13 13 18

ACRONYMS

BBB BISFFA CBFM CRMP CPAFFA DENR DTI FIDA ISF IUCN LGU NNNP NRM MUAD PEMO TDDARMI TUFA U-CARE

Bantay Bukid Brigrade Benejiwan Intragrated Social Forestry Farmers Association Community-Based Forest Management Community Resource Management Plans Canlandog Pilot Agro-Forestry Farmers Association Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Trade and Industry Fiber Industry Development Authority Integrated Social Forestry International Union for the Conservation of Nature Local Government Unit North Negros Natural Park Natural Resources Management Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development Negros Provincial Environment Management Office Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers, Inc. Tayap Upland Farmers Association Up-scale Community Action and Response

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This case study investigates peoples participation in the forest resources management project implemented by FPE-MUAD. Data was gathered by interviewing project implementers and members of peoples organizations. Analysis of participation was done on the major stages of the project: initiation, capacity building and implementation. Initially, peoples participation can be characterized as passive but graduates to a more active form as community members implement reforestation and protection activities. The reforestation component is on target, owing to the active participation of the people. Peoples participation has been facilitated mainly through capacity building interventions and technical and financial support from FPE. However, the lack of opportunities for livelihood may lead to extractive activities or may be counter-productive in sustaining forest management strategies once funding has stopped. Sustaining peoples participation in forest management would require enhancing capacities to produce and market environmentally friendly agri-based livelihood projects, educating the younger generation about forest resource management through improved knowledge management strategies, and enhancing peoples capacities to engage with the local government units and other stakeholders.

The North Negros Natural Park, considered as the largest remaining evergreen forest in Negros Island and the Central Philippines, is home to IUCN threatened endemic species including the Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini panini), Visayan Spotted Dear (Cervus alfredi), Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), Visayan Bleeding Heart Pigeon (Gallicolumba keayi) , and its native Dipterocarp tree species Red Laua-an (Shorea negrosensis) (Photo by USAIDFPE Project Team).

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

INTRODUCTION
This case study is part of the USAID-FPE project entitled the Up-scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas, (locally known as Integrated-area Conservation and Resource Enhancement (I-CaRE) Project), which seeks to improve biodiversity conservation through restoration and management of eight (8) key location sites in the Philippines. Nationwide, forestlands have greatly been reduced despite efforts from the government and non-government organizations. Estimates show that, of the 6.5 million hectares of degraded lands, only 10% were rehabilitated between the years 1988 and 2000 (Pasicolan in Lasco and Flor, 2007). The extent of the damage, coupled with the focus on replanting activities and the continuous influx of people in forested areas, contribute to the poor rehabilitation of degraded forest lands. This case aims to highlight efforts in actively engaging people and peoples organizations in forest resource management as a way to improve the rate of forest rehabilitation. MUAD, a federation of twenty two (22) social development organizations and a sub-grantee of USAID-FPE, is active in reforestation projects. It envisions empowered individuals who sustain the environment through community-based management of ecological systems and agri-based enterprises. FPE and MUAD both believe that peoples participation is crucial to forest restoration. Since its inception in 1989, MUAD has actively engaged in the development of upland communities by enhancing skills in sustainable agricultural practices, agri-enterprise management, and conservation, regeneration, and protection of upland areas in partnership with international and local organizations. Thus, this case study seeks to document best practices in engaging people in forest resource management in the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP), the largest watershed in Negros Occidental. The case aims to contribute to knowledge building in forest resource management by highlighting the efforts of MUAD to actively engage the people in the whole process.

The North Negros Natural Park is also considered to be the largest watershed of the Negros Province, being the main source of water for 17 municipalities and cities (USAID-FPE Project Team File Photo).

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

The study seeks to document the enabling and constraining factors in encouraging participation of peoples organizations in forest resource management. Zulu (2008) provides a lengthy enumeration of studies that document failures of community-based forest resource management, including the focus on design management that failed to take into account internal power relations within the community, failure to generate broad participation among community members, and problems with open access of resources. In other words, the author contends that the rise of community-based natural resources management seemed to stem mainly from the disenchantment of top-down, centralized forest management. However, CBNRM models adopted the design framework of the top-down model and basically failed to study local politics that would have encouraged broad-based participation. Given the high occupancy rate in forest areas, investigating enabling and constraining factors in participation is important for policy makers and local implementers alike. This case study focuses on a portion of the third district of NNNP. It covers a total land area of 35,287 hectares, with two (2) cities (Silay and Talisay) and three towns (Magallona, Murcia and Don Salvador). Out of the nine (9) peoples organizations that are members of TDDARMI and have been involved in CBCP and U-CaRE, two (2) were interviewed for this case study, namely, Canlandog Pilot Agro-Forestry Farmers Association (CPAFFA) and Tayap Upland Farmers Association (TUFA). Officers from TDDARMI, Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers, the federation of the NGOs, were likewise interviewed. From the MUAD, the executive director and extension worker were likewise interviewed.

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

Box 1. Enhancing Peoples Capacities in Forest Resources Management through CBCP: MUAD and FPE Partnership CBCP, or the Community-Based Conservation Project, was implemented in 2002-2006 with the following components: community organizing / institution building, park area resource management, sustainable livelihood development, advocacy and networking. Strengthening TDDARMI, the alliance of nine POs, was a major focus of the project. The project covered three municipalities under the third district of Negros. Its major accomplishments were: Organized and strengthened capacity for self-governance and expanded members of the Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers (TDDARMI) to include 3 POs from Talisay City and Murcia Capacitated 14 LDFs and officers of 6 on organizational management Improved book-keeping and financial management of 6 POs Enhanced level of community participation in the protection efforts of BBB and Biodiversity Monitoring Planted 12.5 hectares with 19,000 seedlings of endemic species in denuded areas and 4,800 seedlings of rattan in ANR areas. Provided training in abaca-based agro-forestry and fibers extraction and marketing Provided capital support (PhP195, 000) to 3 POs with abaca-based UCARE farms. The 24,000 hills of abaca planted to 15 hectares are now in the production stage.

CONTEXT
NNNP covers a total land area of 80,454 hectares. It is home to many endemic trees, fauna, bird species, and endangered animals, such as the Philippine spotted deer and the Philippine warty pig. However, the conversion of land use to sugar plantations in the late 1800s, the granting of logging concessions which started during the American occupation, and the continuous influx of plantation workers and migrants establishing agricultural farms and practicing extractive livelihood strategies such as charcoal making has reduced the old growth forest cover to a mere 4.2% of the total area (Denis, 2006). In 2003, it was estimated that 48 percent of the total land area is occupied, with agricultural lands planted mainly with sugar cane (Denis, 2006). The pressure to expand forest land increases with growing a population, who rely mostly on subsistence farming, charcoal making, small scale logging and sugar production for survival. Forest resource management is the process of ensuring that a forest ecosystem and its values are maintained and improved to provide continuous benefit for society and the climate. It involves planning, taking decisions and implementing. (Retrieved from http://www.paceproject. net) The Philippine government has a long history of forest programs spanning three decades, starting with the focus on settling shifting cultivators in the 1970s, to contract reforestation in the mid-1980s, to the current thrust of community forestry programs, which started in the late 1980s (Harrison, et al, 2004). Notable people-oriented forestry projects of the government include the Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP), Community-based Forestry Program (CFP), CommunityBased Forest Management Program (CBFM), and the Community-Based Resource Management (CBRM) program. ISFP recognized the importance of households and organizations in forest resource management, as it aimed to enhance stewardship of forestry resources either to households (Certificate of Stewardship Contract) or

to community organizations (Certificate of Community Stewarship). CFP was funded by ADB and USAID between 1989 to 1999. Here, communities formed a peoples organization in order to obtain a Community Forest Management Agreement (CFMA), which allowed them to utilize and sell products from residual forests. CBFM was established in 1995, with the aim of unifying the peopleoriented forestry programs of the government. Under this program, local communities were organized and trained by contracted NGOs and POs. CBFM uphold the local people as implementers of reforestation, protection, and conservation practices, while NGOs and the government provide the technical and necessary institutional support (Harrison et al 2004, pp 172-177). The MUAD and FPE partnership to pursue an environmental conservation program in Negros started in 1993 with its first project, Strengthening of Local Resource Managers in 18 LGUs. In 2002, FPE developed its Community-Based Resource Management Framework. MUAD applied for funding to implement the framework in the 3rd district portion of then Northern Negros Forest Reserve, now known as North Negros Natrual Park. The project, dubbed as the Community-Based Conservation Project, was done in collaboration with DENR, PEMO and 3 LGUs: EB Magalona, Silay ,and Murcia. The accomplishments of the project are shown in Box 1. In 2007, the partnership of MUAD and FPE continued to enhance and expand the community participation in forest resource management through another project entitled, Integrated-area Conservation and Resource Enhancement Project (I-CARE) with four major components, namely, capacity building, park area resource management, sustainable livelihood, and networking and advocacy. Initially MUAD handled the first year implementation of I-CARE as a transition to full community-led management of implementation of the project. Since 2008, the POs federation, dubbed as Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers, Inc. (TDDARMI), has been implementing the I-CARE project. This is a major output of community participation in forest resource management. Moreover, the current project Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by USAID-FPE supports three major components (park area resource management, sustainable development and networking and advocacy) of I-CARE implemented by TDDARMI. The role of local communities in any reforestation project is recognized by the government programs, which have sought to involve households, peoples organizations, and non-government organizations. The local residents are the ones who populate the area, derive benefits from its resources, and suffer the consequences of loss of forest cover, including land erosion and water related hazards (Xu and Thomas, 2010). Any forest resource management strategy has to take into consideration the important role of the occupants of the land, who have claimed a stake on the area even if they do not have permanent tenurial status. Despite optimism for the participation of local communities and peoples organizations, low income among these local stakeholders and shortage of funds from the government sector are among the major constraints of community-based resources management (Harrison et al, 2004). The communities may not have the resources to initiate reforestation efforts, as resource-poor farmers may not have enough cash flow to implement forest restoration activities nor would they have enough time away from their regular livelihood activities. MUAD has partnered with FPE, to strengthen the community conservation and resource management capacities of the third district portion of North Negros Natural Park. This project, with funds sourced from USAID, will improve biodiversity conservation through reforestation and community management of 60 hectares of denuded forest areas, biodiversity monitoring and evaluation, and agro-forestry and enterprise development. The project rests on two important pillars: partnership and knowledge management.

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

NNNP AREA = 80,454,50

SPECIAL USE ZONE 1,683.49 2%

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ZONE 4,217.36 5%

SPECIAL USE ZONE 1,683.49 2%

RESTORATION ZONE 4,074.26 5%

NNNP AREA = 80,454,50

STRICT PROTECTION ZONE 21,747.27, 27%

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ZONE 4,217.36 5%

RESTORATION ZONE 4,074.26 5%

STRICT PROTECTION ZONE 21,747.27, 27%

MULTIPLE-USE ZONE 48,631.30, MULTIPLE-USE ZONE 61% 48,631.30,

61%

CITY, MUNICIPALITY BOUNDARY RECREATIONAL ZONE MULTIPLE-USE ZONE SPECIAL USE ZONE

SOURCE: DENR

LEGEND ON MAP

STRICT PROTECTION ZONE SPECIAL USE ZONE

MULTIPLE-USE ZONE RESTORATION ZONE

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ZONE

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ZONE RESTORATION ZONE STRICT PROTECTION ZONE

Figure 1. Map of NNNP

ANALYSIS
Cornwall (2002) argues that literature on participation focuses largely on methodologies to encourage involvement and less on what actually happens. Less attention is given to who participates, how one participates, and with what resources. The discourse in participation therefore takes into consideration these inherent weaknesses in conceptualizing participation, as it attempts to situate who, how, and with what resources in the stages of participation as conceptualized by Pretty (1994).We trace the steps taken by project implementers to look into who, how, and what, in analyzing the modes and levels of participation in this project. The first stage in initiating participation is externally or intentionally instigated by project implementers. This stage is crucial for project implementers to gauge receptiveness and support to project goals, which may or may not have been articulated by the local people but may have been considered relevant and important. In this stage, decisions about the project have been made, targets have been set, and people evaluate the project based on its merits using criteria such as relevance and utility. While power obviously rests with the project implementers, this stage is seen as a determinant for further possible engagements between project implementers and community members.

Project Initiation In initiating the project, the first step is the conduct of several meetings at the barangay, sitio, and organizational levels. The primary intention of MUAD is to inform the leaders of the community about the project and to initially determine the experiences of the potential community partners related to the project components. This level is akin to the first level of typology of participation by Pretty (1994), which is referred to as passive participation. Here, the extension worker explores the possibility of partnership with the community by discussing the project and its targets, visually scanning the possible project site, and asking permission to hold consultations with community members. The second step would be determining the viability of the area as a possible project site, understanding the organizational history, strengths and weaknesses through key informant interviews, and gauging the peoples socio-economic profile and receptiveness towards the project through a survey of household members. This stage in peoples participation is what is classified as information giving. The third step is consultation among community members to ensure commonality of understanding of the proposed project and consensus on project implementation. Table 1. Activities Related to Project Initiation ACTIVITIES Courtesy call with local officials Consultation with community and organization leaders Resource Assessment Baseline data about peoples organization Socio-economic assessment Consultation to gauge receptiveness and commitment to project goals STRATEGIES USED Conduct of meeting Conduct of meeting Field visit Key informant interview Survey Conduct of community meeting ROLE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS Listen and ask questions Listen and ask questions Guide in the field visit, provide data Provide data Answer questions Listen and ask questions

The activities done for this stage, the strategies used by MUAD, and the role of community members are outlined in Table 1. Noticeably, at this stage, control of the process and knowledge regarding what should be done rests with the project implementers. This series of processes result in the clarification of project objectives as well as roles and responsibilities. The level of participation at this stage is clearly passive in nature, as community members are relegated mostly to the role of listeners and providers of information. Community members do not have a hand in identifying project objectives nor in influencing how the project will proceed. Capacity Building MUADs strategy banks on enhancing participation of the local peoples organization by strengthening organizational capacities and expanding sources of income through agro-forestry, agricultural production, and development of agri-based livelihood enterprises.

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

(1) Classroom training on nursery management

(2) Lay-out of nursery chamber by extension workers and farmers

(3) Cleaning the area of the nursery chamber

The next series of stages involves capacity building in preparation for co-management. While the first series of steps basically locates power and responsibility within project implementers, this part prepares the phase for more active participation of community members. This phase focuses on training the community members in technical skills and organizational management to pave the way for co-management of projects. Participatory experiential learning is employed to ensure that farmers not only learn the concepts but likewise become skilled at them. A good example of this is illustrated in the nursery chamber management, where the classroombased training provides the lecture part of the activity, and then the community members are given the opportunity to apply what they learned in the lecture during the actual setting up of the chamber as illustrated in the pictures. Classroom training on nursery management Lay-out of nursery chamber by extension workers and farmers Cleaning the area of the nursery chamber Setting up the structure of the nursery chamber Planting the seedlings Covering the chamber

Training programs focus on developing individual and organizational skills for forest protection, rehabilitation, and conservation. Training for individual skills revolves around integrated farming, rainforestation, biodiversity monitoring, and para-legal training for forest protection. The experiential learning process encourages farmers to put into practice the new knowledge they gained, while testing and encouraging them to also validate their indigenous knowledge as illustrated in Box 2. Organizational skills involve strengthening the capacities of local organizations to plan for future undertakings and generate and manage funds. The list of training programs MUAD conducted to strengthen individual and organizational skills are listed below:

Table 2. FPE-funded Capacity Building Activities TRAINING PROGRAM A. Organizational Development 1. Strategic Planning Operations manual formulation and adoption MUAD and FPE lecture - workshop MUAD and FPE Two days lecture, workshop and follow up consultations with GA Board and GA for ratification MUAD and FPE Two days lecture-discussionstructured Learning Exercises (SLE) MUAD FPE Three days Lecture-discussion-hands-on PEMO, LGU Guide in the field visit, provide data Provide data Answer questions PARTNERS/ METHODS USE OTHER PARTNERS

2.

3. 4.

Leadership Financial Management

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

(4) Setting up the structure of the nursery chamber

(5) Planting the seedlings

(6) Covering the chamber

Table 2. FPE-funded Capacity Building Activities TRAINING PROGRAM B. 1. Resource Management Para-legal training for local protection volunteers Biodiversity Monitoring for monitoring teams Rainforestation (from nursery to plantation establishment, care and maintenance) Financial Management MUAD-DENR-TAs Lawyer Two days lecture-actual application and coaching MUAD-NFEFI-TAs Three days lecture and actual field work MUAD-FPE-USAID Lecture and actual nursery establishment MUAD FPE Three days Lecture-discussion-hands-on LGUs PARTNERS/ METHODS USE OTHER PARTNERS

2.

LGUs

3.

DENR Answer questions

4.

C.

Agri-Based Livelihood Training Integrated forest farming (UCARE) Soil and water conservation Natural inputs production Vegetable production Banana production Root crops Coffee Livestock Abaca fiber production Sustainable forestry MUAD and FPE The first training is a 4-day lecture combined with some actual field work. The second part of the training is about developing a market for a specific product abundant in the area. It is a two-day lecture and one month actual field application.

LGUs PEF DTI FIDA

Agri-based livelihood training programs were likewise conducted, as part of the thrust to enhance economic opportunities for the community members. These training programs are a continuation of the I-CARE thrust to enhance livelihood sources. Capacity building is a prerequisite for active engagement. Expecting community members to assume responsibilities without the necessary support for them to responsibly undertake leadership roles may lead to poor project implementation and lack of sustainable interventions. From the point of view of the project implementers, this phase is a means to attain efficiency and effectiveness in project implementation. PAGE 12 |

Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

BOX 2. Putting Indigenous Knowledge to Use Winifredo Guevarra shares that chamber management is new to them. He says management is easier and seedlings survival is definitely better at 90% compared to 50% of the open chamber. He further tells us that there is also very useful community-based knowledge that was used to ensure the survival of replanted trees. This indigenous community-based knowledge refers to the specific needs of particular endemic trees. Lauan, for example, should be planted in shaded areas, while Bakan in open areas. Almasiga should be weeded only when it is 5 feet tall to ensure better survival.

From the point of view of community members, this phase opens up stages for active deliberation of strategies in project implementation, an important precondition in community development. Strategically speaking, it is also a means towards empowering people, so that they can chart their own engagement and determine their own projects. Training community members does not happen overnight. It takes years to actually see the development of skills of a community as narrated in Box 3.

BOX 3. Building Capacities in Reforestation: Canlandog Pilot Agro-Forestry Farmers Association (CPAFFA) Capacitating community members does not happen overnight. It takes years to hone individual skills and much longer when we talk about community skills. The case of CPAFFA proves this point. As a partner, CPAFFA has received technical and organizational training programs organized by MUAD-FPE. MUAD extension workers acknowledge that this group has active and functional members. During the focus group discussion, there were twenty (20) members who attended, despite the one day advanced notice of the meeting and the one-hour walk from the community to the barangay center. The chairman, treasurer, and secretary were there with their individual record books, reflective of their good recording system.

The commitment to project implementation and attendance to partner meetings is a result as well of the long history of reforestation projects engaged in by this organization. It was a partner of the Provincial Management Office (PEMO) in its reforestation project in 1994. The organization completed the project of reforesting 100 hectares of protected areas with gmelina and ipil-ipil. In 2008, it became a partner of MUAD in its ICARE project and completed tree planting of endemic species in 10 hectares of protected areas. CPAFFA was also able to ink a 5-year partnership with EDC-PNOC last year for the reforestation of 100 hectares of protected area, and for 2012, another project was secured with DENR and the World Bank for a reforestation project. Because of its good performance, it is also a partner of the FPE-MUAD project for its 2012 reforestation project. Despite its multiple project involvements, CPAFFA is on target with the three reforestation projects.

Indigenous tree seedlings (as seen by the wood markers) are planted in denuded areas in North Negros Natural Park by MUAD partner peoples organizations, under the reforestation activities of the USAID-FPE project (USAID-FPE Project Team File Photo).

Project Implementation This phase involves identification of groups to assume responsibilities and agree on the responsibilities of parties. For forest protection, community-based forest volunteers, called Bantay Bukid Brigade (BBB), conduct foot patrol and reconnaissance operations. There are now 97 deputized BBBs from the project site who regularly patrol the area. To sustain the operations, the LGUs provide monthly financial support in terms of allowances to the volunteers. As a strategy, six of the nine POs agreed to form an alliance to synchronize foot patrol. These BBBs have reported violators to the PEMO office which has led to their arrest and detention, thereby lessening the probability of illegal activities. Volunteerism by CPAFFA CPAFFA started to volunteer under the Integrated Social Forestry Association organized by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) and DENR in1996. Each member agreed to volunteer his own forestal areas averaging 1-3 hectares (60% forest trees & 40% trees). Forestal areas by each member is contagious with 90 hectares with a total members of 42 ISFA. Through the USAID-FPE project, an additional 10 hectares in CPAFFA was reforested through new technology, which involved nursery production using growth chambers. Another forest restoration project of CPAFFA, funded by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), started in 2011 and aims to cover 100 hectares. The greening project of CPAFFA with DENR will cover 50 hectares in Brgy Canlandog, Murcia. The following are the major accomplishments of the BBB in terms of apprehension under NNNP-CBCP (2002-2006): The level of community participation on the protection efforts as they report violators to BBB, PO officers, and Brgy. Officials.

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125 BBBs regularly conduct foot patrol operation and support the filing of cases as witnesses in court, which reduced the illegal activities in the park. Threat Reduction Assessment during BIOME for 2006 averaged 92.78% about 30% increase from the average TRA in 2004.

For conservation, BIOME teams were formed to monitor increase in flora and fauna. BIOME sites were also established within NNNP. At first, there were only three BIOME sites located in areas Brgy. Canlusong (Murcia), Brgy. Amayco (E.B. Magalona), and Patag (Silay City). In 2006, two more sites were added at Brgy. Lantawan (Silay City) and Brgy. Canlandog (E.B. Magalona). BIOME is an essential tool in assessing the resources, threats, and illegal activities within the protected area. The activity is conducted by a team composed of BBB members and representatives of NGOs, PEMO, DENR, and some other stakeholders who are experts on the sites (MUAD, 2005). The result of the Threat Reduction Assessment workshop conducted by the BIOME team during the monitoring and evaluation showed that identified threats in the areas of Brgy. Canlusong (EB Magalona), Sitio Tayap, Brgy. Patag (Silay), and Canlandog (Murcia) were mostly illegal charcoal making, hunting of wildlife, rattan gathering, illegal timber poaching, kaingin making, treasure hunting, illegal land conversion, and small-scale mining. These major threats were then reported to BBBs who patrol the area to ensure monitoring of such threats. As a result, Threat Reduction Assessment indices in various areas (Patag, Canlusong, Canladog, Murcia) have greatly improved (MUAD Year-end report, 2011). (CRMP) were formulated by four POs in Brgys. Patag, Canlandog, and Amayco, that served as their guide in managing local natural resources. The biggest investment is in forest resource management. Funds are trasferred to the partner peoples organization for management of the project. An agreed amount per hectare is managed by the peoples organization for nursery establishment, tree planting, and monitoring and evaluation of reforested areas. Tasks and deadlines are set according to a schedule set by project implementers. On December 3, 2008, the Bantay Bukid Brigade members of Brgy. Santa Cruz, Murcia, headed by BBB Team Leader Rodrigo Martenez, apprehended three (3) persons doing illegal tree-cutting for charcoal-making inside the forested area of Brgy. Santa Cruz Murcia. These persons are Roldan Naries, Oscar Naries Jr., and Jovar Limco. These persons were turned-over to the Murcia Police Station by the Task Force Ilahas together with the DENR personnel. The case was filed against them for the violation of P.D. 705. The estimated market value of the forest products damaged by the suspects is P336,000.00. In Canlandog, site four persons were apprehended in violation of PD705. One person was put in prison, while the three were acquitted.

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Table 3. Role of Peoples Organizations in Project Implementation ACTIVITIES I. REFORESTATION Provision of cash for labor, tools to be used in establishment of nursery coursed through the peoples organization, technical supervision Supervision Establishment of Nursery - Collection of endemic seedlings - Care of seedlings in nursery Planting, monitoring, re-planting ROLE OF MUAD ROLE OF PO MEMBERS

Nursery Establishment

Tree planting

II

FOREST PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION BBB and Biome Agro-forest trees production Provision of logistical support Supervision Monitoring Agreement on common and individual area planting

To date, the 5 partner POs have planted 63.52 hectares with 96,550 seedlings of endemic species in denuded areas and 4,800 seedlings of rattan in ANR areas. The rehabilitation is done through the setting up and maintenance of nurseries (the seedlings of which have been collected from the forest), tree planting, and maintenance of areas replanted to replace seedlings that did not survive. Furthermore, in the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling project, the total area planted by five partner-organizations was 63.52 hectares. In project implementation, the peoples organization takes the lead role as it plans, sets up, implements, and monitors the project, while MUAD assumes a facilitating role. The reversal in roles is illustrated in Table 3. Sustaining Participation and Project Gains One of the limitations of the community members is the lack of financial and material resources to effectively implement forest restoration projects. The baseline survey shows that the monthly income of community members in the area is Php2,484 (Silliman University, 2008). In response, FPE, through MUAD, provided financial and material support to carry out the reforestation, conservation, and protection activities. As the POs take on more leadership roles in project implementation, steps are made to ensure that gains will be sustained by enhancing farm-based productivity and strengthening marketing of TDDARMI. 1. Enhancing farm-based productivity The need of local communities for food, timber, fiber, energy, and cash puts pressure on the diminishing forest resources. Ensuring that community members have resources to provide for their needs is one of the strategies towards successful forest resource management. World Bank (2002) recognizes the importance of sustainable livelihoods, such that it identifies three pillars/objectives for its involvement in forest resource management as a) harnessing the

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Figure 2. UCARE Integrated Forest-Farming Model

potential of the forest to reduce poverty; b) integrating the forest in economic development; and c) protecting vital local and global environmental services and values through increasing participation and widening partnership with stakeholders at all levels. Along this framework, MUAD, through the I-CARE project, initiated the development alternative sustainable for forest land occupants, dubbed as Upland Conservation-oriented Agriculture and Regenerative Economic-enterprise (UCARE), which is a form of integrated forest-farming system (see figure above).

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Box 4. Problems in Enhancing Agri-Based Farming ABACA Not enough volume to transport economically. So the TDDARMI with the support of MUAD and DTI is looking into the possibility of producing abaca rope for the local market. Training for local producers is being prepared. ROOT CROPS - Like taro, this has productivity but low cash value as well as less local market demand. It is also heavy to transport from the upland to the market. Thus exploration on other uses of taro must be explored. CHICKEN Has good market potential but production capacity of farmers is low due to limited knowledge on large scale production level. GOAT Good source of food and has good cash value. They are able to multiply the number of goats dispersed. VEGETABLES Has good market potential but very perishable. BANANA Has good market potential but it is now being affected by incurable diseases like bunchy-top and bugto. TIGER GRASS Most promising as it is easy to make it into brooms; non-perishable, easy to transport, stock and market but competition is among farmers because it is easy to produce. TURMERIC Has good market potential as food supplement in the form of powder.

This forest-farming model introduced to the 100 farmers in I-CARE covered areas through training and field follow-through. The trained farmers are now practicing this forest-farming model, planting various crops such as abaca, banana, root crops, and tiger grass, as well as keeping goats and poultry. However, in the process of practicing the model, the farmers encountered several challenges as shown in Box 4. Problems in improving agri-based livelihood revolve around technical and marketing concerns. Enhancing marketing skills due to lack of knowledge and problems of scale has become a priority as well of FPE as it embarks on supporting the federation of peoples organizations. Technical The farmers must master the technology and management of producing the crop which should be market driven. Marketing The farmers or its organization must have the knowledge, skills, and right attitude to handle marketing a business as marketing is very important to convert the products into cash in order to replenish the investment and to sustain the enterprise as well as support their family needs.

2. Strengthening TDDARMI to address problems in marketing The Third District Development Alliance of Resource Managers, Inc., or TDDARMI, is a federation of the nine peoples organizations in the third district of NNNP. Organized in 2012, the federation envisions sustaining the gains of member POs in various reforestation projects by improving the marketing aspect of their farm produce.

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TDDARMI members meeting with FPE Visayas Project Officer Raymunda Debuayan (MUAD File Photo)

TDDARMI was given P50,000 in start-up funds for its marketing activities and a vehicle to facilitate the marketing of agricultural produce. TDDARMI also received assistance in the purchase of a lot and construction of a building for training and offices, as well as another building the storage of agricultural products for sale. After four months of marketing operations, TDDARMI was able to gain a net income of P14,585 from its P36,320 cash outlay, or a profit margin of 40%. However, at this point, that income is not sufficient to cover the expenses of the organization, given that profit margins on a monthly basis for the first half of this year had been highly variable and was negative for two months out of four. Despite the positive start, TDDARMI realized the challenges ahead. TDDARMI officers acknowledge the need to strengthen monthly collection from member groups as part of its plans to subsidize the administrative cost of the marketing activities. Attendance to regular meetings is a problem, given that board members come from far areas. This early, TDDARMI has seen losses during the two months of its four month operation, most of which are from perishable items like fruits, a major produce of all nine member groups. Its most promising product as of the moment is the broom from tiger grass production. Capitalizing on this, the group is coming up with better marketing to gain more consumers. Officers acknowledge that they still have a long way to go in terms of harnessing entrepreneurial skills.

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DISTILLING LESSONS ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Participation is both a means and an end. It is a means as it improves effectiveness of a project. More importantly, it is an end in itself as people exercise reflexivity in determining future actions. This portion investigates the nature of participation of the people as actualized in this project. Based on the analysis, participation in this project can be divided into three stages: Pag-inganyo or Initiating, Pag-upuray or Strengthening, and Pag-Padayon or Sustaining. 1. Pag-inganyo or Initiating: Involving more local stakeholders in the initiation stage Funded projects come in packages, with defined deliverables, timeline and even terms of reference on engagement. This is necessary as projects are time-bound and funding agencies are equally answerable to their Board of Directors and grant institutions. This stage, while characterized by passive participation of community members, may lead to leveling off of expectations and result in better appreciation of project objectives. However, the managerialist approach to projects had resulted in unsustainable outputs in the past. Ensuring active participation of community members and other stakeholders in the conceptualization of projects may not only lead to better acceptance of projects, but may also result in projects that incorporate the specific needs and skills of a particular community. Active participation in project conceptualization eliminates the need for selling the project. Other benefits could lead to involvement of key stakeholders, like the local government institutions and religious groups, both of which are active in the area and may help sustain forest resources management. Sustaining gains in forest resource management require active participation among different stakeholders. The local government units, mandated to lead development initiatives at the local level, need to be part of the planning and implementation of forest resources management. The local government units should be and can be active partners in the provision of support services needed for the proper function of groups or in the provision of support to other capability training programs needed.

2. Pag-upuray or strengthening: Expanding capacities in other areas and educating the younger generation Currently, the thrust is mainly in tree planting, knowledge building, and nursery management. While tree planting is highly important given the rate of deforestation, ensuring that sustainable care will be continued and provided by future generations is equally important. Moreover, technical skills building in agri-based livelihood projects should be given more support to ensure that farmers in the area derive income in sustainable ways and are able to sustain gains in reforestation protection and management. Knowledge building on forest management should include the young members of the community. It is necessary that constituents know the importance of NNNP and maintaining a healthy ecosystem to ensure that Negrenses will continue to have a clean and ample supply of drinking water.

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3. Pag-padayon or Sustaining: Supporting entrepreneurial undertakings and strengthening the working relationship with DENR on forest resources monitoring Sustaining forest resources management requires that community members are able to meet their needs through sustainable livelihood activities to deter them from unsustainable forest extractive practices, while at the same time increasing their capability to take care of the forest. While various agro-forestry and agricultural livelihood projects have been introduced in the past, these have not led to sustainable income generation, due to technical and marketing problems. A more comprehensive entrepreneurial approach is necessary. While TDDARMI is set to meet the challenge of improving the marketing aspect of the agricultural produce, there is a need to increase the capacity of not only the federation but also the member organizations. Forest protection requires regular inspection and implementation of laws. Given the value associated with the sales of wood, many would risk lives to extract these resources. Continued support should be given to the Bantay Bukid Brigade after they have been deputized by DENR to apprehend violators.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In conclusion, peoples participation in forest resource management in this project is illustrated in the model.

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In this FPE-MUAD project funded by the USAID, forest reforestation and protection are the more dominant activities. Educating the youth on forest resources management is important, especially because almost all of the members of the organizations are above forty years old. Future activities include not only the expansion of rainforestation sites but more importantly, enhancing capacities to generate income from agri-based livelihood activities. People who are able to earn from activities that do not deplete their natural base are in a better position to actively protect and rehabilitate the forest. Knowledge acquired from the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling project was replicated in Mt. Kanlaon with partner POs in partnership with FPE and DENR. These two important educational needs, when not addressed, may prove detrimental to the success of forest resources management. Principles and strategies to further enhance participation include the following: 1. Partnership Building Actively partner with local government units at all stages. Local government units are mandated by law to ensure local development as specified in the LGC of 1991, and in particular, they are mandated to modernize agriculture at the local level through RA 8435 or AFMA. Local government units, faced with the daunting responsibility, do not always have the needed resources nor the technical expertise, but they do have the power and authority to legislate and mobilize resources. On the other hand, NGOs would have a more focused concern, technical expertise, and network for specific advocacies. Partnership, for this matter, becomes not only a strategy for effectiveness and efficiency, but more importantly, they are a crucial step forward to ensure sustainability of efforts. Local government officials, such as the municipal and barangay agriculturist, environmental officer, and planning officer, should be actively involved and trained in specific concerns to ensure that advocacy for particular issues are carried within the walls of the local government and translated into legislated policies. Informing them of the project is an important step, but providing spaces where they can actively participate is more strategic. Local government officials also have their own resources and technical expertise, as well as networks which can likewise be tapped by NGOs. Involving them should start during the initiation period, should extend to the strengthening and, more importantly, to the sustaining part to ensure translation of support within the legislative body and incorporated in the plans of the local government units in the barangay and municipal units. Actively partner with other civic organizations in all stages. With the local landscape, there are many actors whose concerns overlap in certain aspects. There are also other organizations that might not be situated in the area but, by nature of their mandate, can be extended to particular localities. It is for this matter that partnership with these organizations or even the individuals should become a strategic means. Beyond getting personalities as resource people, it is important to actively seek engagement with these organizations. A significant result from partnership is the expasion or addition of project components which may not have been part of the original plan but can be implemented through partnership without additional significant cost from the organization. Another is the expansion of concern which, by nature of its scope, may not be incorporated in the current project framework, but may result in a new and innovative project in itself.

2. Knowledge Management Enhance production, dissemination and sharing of knowledge products. A knowledge system is often discussed by differentiating two kinds of knowledge, tacit and explicit, which are dynamically inter-related. Tacit knowledge

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Pagsugod sa Pagbulig para sa Lasang: Encouraging Participation of Peoples Organization in Forest Resources Management

refers to what a person knows, while explicit knowledge refers to numbers and words translated as manuals, documents, and the like. Explicit knowledge can be articulated, codified, or stored in certain media and thus, more easily shared than tacit knowledge. While tacit knowledge is acquired primarily through socialization, explicit knowledge is generated through formal study of codified knowledge. (Baconguis, 2007) A persons knowledge is an attribute of the mind and is therefore a function of learning through experiences, whether formal or non-formal. Therefore, a critical function of any advocacy is to ensure that new knowledge becomes part of the individual and more importantly, the community. Ensuring this requires that knowledge products are produced for consumption by the community to facilitate better sharing of knowledge among the members and facilitate creation of new knowledge. In addition to the production of knowledge products for the community members, it is important for the organization to likewise document experiences and provide a repository of these products as well as other relevant documents, to ensure that these organizational experiences become part of the knowledge of the organization. Such organizational experiences are better shared in codified forms in local forums, local and international conferences, or journals to ensure that best practices are shared, validated, critiqued, and thereby serve as a platform for learning. Promote inter-generational learning. Forest management is the responsibility of everybody, especially given the rate of our forest destruction. While educating adults is a critical step as we need to mobilize them to protect and conserve the forest, educating the younger generation is equally critical to instill in them the need to manage our forests. Thus, providing environmental education to children in schools and through non-formal means and knowledge sharing between adults and children are important strategies.

3. Sustainability (Agri-based Livelihood) Improve technical knowledge of agri-based production. While farmers had been given training on production skills, they lack the knowledge on how to control pests that attack, for example, bananas. Thus, it is important to enhance their knowledge of management of existing crops as well as expand opportunities to engage in other possible agri-based livelihood sources. Partner with entrepreneurs in the marketing of agri-based produce. While fruits such as bananas and papaya fetch higher market value, they need to be disposed of immediately because of spoilage. As such, TDDARMI should explore marketing distribution schemes with other entrepreneurs who can help sell their produce.

4. Reforestation and Conservation Enhancing peoples capacities to engage with the government. Providing spaces for the exchange of ideas among local people and the LGU is important, as it affords people the opportunity to convey their needs, demand critical services from the government, or partner with local government units. Moreover, BBBs role should be highlighted and advocated, so that sustaining these activities may eventually be shouldered by the government.

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REFERENCES
Cornwall. A. 2002. IDS Making Spaces, Changing Places: Situating Participation in Development. Retrieved from: http://www.drc-citizenship.org/system/assets/1052734369/ original/1052734369-cornwall.2002-making.pdf?1289311080 Cornwall. A. 2008. Unpacking Participation: Models, Meanings and Practices. Community Development Journal.Vol. 43 No. 3 July 2008 pp 269-283. Denis. A. 2006. Landslide Susceptibility Zonation in case of deforestation in Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) Philippines. Masters thesis. Universit catholique de Louvain. Retrieved from: http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/33068 Harrison S.R., Emtage N.F., and B.E. Nasayao. 2004. Past and Present Forestry Support Programs in the Philippines, and Lessons for the Future in Small-scale Forest Economics, Management and Policy. 3(3):303-317. Pan African Concervation Education Project (PACE). n.d. Action Sheet 47. Forest Resource Management. Retrieved from: http://www.paceproject.net/UserFiles/File/ Forests/forest%20resource%20man.pdf. Pasicolan, P.N. 2007. Farm Forestry and Agro-forestry Options, Local Benefits and Impacts in Agroforestry and Land Use in the Philippines (eds) R. Lasco and A. Flor. World Agroforestry Center, Bogor, Indonesia. Pretty, J.N. 1994. Alternative Systems of Inquiry for Sustainable Agriculture. IDS Bulletin 25: 37-48. Silliman University. 2008. RSA of Northern Negros Natural Park Terminal Report. Worldbank. 2002. Sustaining Forests A Development Strategy. Retrieved from: http://www- wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&e id=000009486_20040728090355 Xu, J.C. and D. Thomas. 2010. Climate Change in the Montane Mainland Southeast Asia: Reflections on Water Resources and Livelihoods in Moving Forward: Southeast Asian Perspectives on Climate Change and Biodiversity (eds) Sajise, P.P, MV Ticsay and GC Saguiguit Jr. SEARCA. Los Banos, Philippines. Zulu, L.C. 2008. Community Forest Resource Management in Southern Malawi: Solution or Part of the Problem? Society and Natural Resources: An International Journal. 21 (8) 687-703

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CASE STUDY WRITERS

ROWENA DT. BACONGUIS has a PhD in Extension Education from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, a Master of Publlic Administration and Bachelors Degree in Economics from Ateneo de Davao University. She currently works as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Governance and Rural Development, College of Public Affairs in UPLB. She is also the Director of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, UPLB., the volunteer service program of UP. She has received several teaching and publication awards including UPLBs Centennial Professorial Chair in 2010, Outstanding Teacher for the Humanities and Social Sciences and Outstanding Teacher in the College of Public Affairs in 2008, and International Publication Awardee in 2005 and 2011. She also won the Best Paper Presenter for the 15th Philippine Association of Agri-vironment Educators and Entrepreneurs, Inc. (PASSAGE) in 2011. Other co-writers include Dr. Jose R. Medina and Rowena Briones.

FPE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Godofredo T. Villapando, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Liza M. Vida OIC-MANAGER, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UNIT Mary Ann B. Leones MANAGER, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIT Fernando M. Ramirez MANAGER, LUZON REGIONAL UNIT Myrissa L. Tabao MANAGER, VISAYAS REGIONAL UNIT Armando C. Pacudan MANAGER, MINDANAO REGIONAL UNIT

USAID-FPE PROJECT TEAM

Maria Felda S. Domingo NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR Rosalie G. Pasibe LUZON REGIONAL COORDINATOR June Arthur P. Banagodos VISAYAS REGIONAL COORDINATOR Joseph Thaddeus R. Rabang MINDANAO REGIONAL COORDINATOR/ NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Cherylon A. Herzano NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Sept 2011-June 2012) Michelle D. Alejado PARTNERSHIP BUILDING SPECIALIST Ma. Rhodora C. Veloso KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Feb-Sept 2012) Florence C. Baula KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Constancia S. Bacolod PROJECT ASSISTANT Carina Dacillo/ Charity Marces/ Anita T. Tungala BOOKKEEPER

The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. In the Philippines, USAID works in partnership with the national government in creating a more stable, prosperous and well-governed country through programs that promote broad-based and inclusive economic growth, increase peace and stability in Mindanao, and reduce risks from natural disasters. For more information about USAIDs programs in the Philippines, visit http://philippines.usaid.gov.

FPE is the first and largest grant-making organization for civil society environmental initiatives in the Philippines. Its support went primarily to protecting local conservation sites and strengthening community and grassroots-led environmental efforts in more than 65 critical sites through more than 1,300 projects grants. The establishment of FPE on January 15, 1992 was meant to abate the destruction of the countrys own natural resources. As many as 334 NGOs and grassroots organizations, along with 24 academic institutions, helped set its course through a process of nationwide consultations. Subsequently, Philippine and United States government agencies and NGOs raised the foundations initial $21.8-million endowment through an innovative debt-for-nature swap. Today, FPE remains committed in fulfilling its roles as a catalyst for cooperation, grant maker, and fund facilitator for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. For more information about FPE, visit http://www.fpe.ph.

The Federation of Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) Negros is a registered NGO composed of 22 social development organizations envisioning an improved quality of life in the island of Negros through a strong and self-sustaining alliance. The federation was established in 1989 in response to the need to alleviate the depressed condition of Negros during the sugar crisis in 1985. To realize its vision, MUAD defined its program thrusts dubbed as We CARE4 Negros. which aims to assist 10,000 more poor families by 2016 through E4 (Environmental conservation, Education Services improvement, Economic development and Effective governance). For environmental conservation, MUAD advocates community-based management towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the upland communities which include protected areas and watersheds. It builds capacity of local people to become effective managers of natural resources in partnership with local government units. For more information about MUAD, email muad_neg@yahoo.com.

PAGSUGOD SA PAGBULIG PARA SA LASANG

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLES ORGANIZATIONS IN FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines

Annex 2 Building U.S. Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard 1000 Ermita, Manila Philippines Fax: (02) 301 6213

Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

77 Matahimik Street Teachers Village, Diliman Quezon City 1101 Philippines Telephone: (02) 927 2186/ 926 9629/ 927 9403 Fax: (02) 9223022

Federation of Multisectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) - Negros

Farmers Marketing Center Circumferential Road 6100 Alijis, Bacolod City Philippines Telephone: (034) 446 7503