The Phases of Stewardship in Cebu's Terrestrial KBA's

IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO Tabunan forest wardens are considered to be the guardians of the Central Cebus remaining reservoir of critically endangered and vulnerable fauna and flora. From wardens, they have moved on to be called stewards, having remained active in their roles in forest protection despite limited financial assistance. With this, they have proved their commitment to environment protection, with or without external incentives (CBCF File Photo).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank the following people: the Board of Trustees of CBCFI, namely, Rene de Rueda, May Elizabeth Ybaez, Aldrin Mallari, Charito Chiu, Sr. Sandra Clemente, and Alex Binghay; the CBCFI staff and specialists, namely, Alix Yao, R.S. Ybaez, Paeng Olodin, Kulot Redoblado, Estela Rodriguez, Eileen Tenchavez, Rita Villarasa, George Chu, Vitaliano Lingo, and Justin Briones, for providing valuable input, materials, and information integral to this study; the local governments of Alcoy and Dalaguete led by Mayor Nicomedes Nic de los Santos and Mayor Ronald Cesante, respectively, as well as their staff; the Tabunan Forest Stewards, led by Oking Son; the Nug-as Forest Wardens comprising of members of KMYLB (led by Tiponing Encontro), BASKET (led by Benjamin de los Santos), and BALAK (led by Alejandro Anore); and the community-based partners of Dalaguete, whose exemplary and dedicated service is the foremost bastion in the conservation of Cebus terrestrial KBAs.
THE PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs

THE CASES OF TABUNAN, ALCOY, AND DALAGUETE
APRIL 2013 Prepared by the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCFI) for the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) under the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas 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 writer and CBCFI, 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.
GLORIA D. STEELE Mission Director, USAID/Philippines
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, 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
CBCF
Development agents, immersed in communities to catalyze purpose-driven changes, come to realize that the local communities such as forest occupants (in the case of terrestrial bio-geographic regions) are the de facto resource managers or the stewards of resources. Their decisions and actions determine the destiny of species, populations, ecosystems and living conditions. For this reason, the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., since its inception in 1997, adopted a multi-pronged strategy that puts a premium on engaging local communities to conserve and protect the sites that harbor species requiring conservation. The endeavor took on a mission mode because the areas of concern are key biodiversity areas (KBAs) which have viable populations or significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species and are irreplaceable with the presence of geographically concentrated species. This case study will characterize forest communities particularly the Tabunan Forest Stewards, the KMYLB-BASKET-BALAK of Nug-as and Dalaguete Community Partners whose varied values and value systems are molded by their environs, history, culture, geopolitical landscape, interpersonal relations/dynamics and intra-institutional life experience. We laud the various individuals who have pooled resources to increasing our understanding of these forest communities. We praise the partners of CBCF the DENR VII, Local Government Units of Alcoy and Dalaguete, who have accommodated our initiatives and made these their own. Lastly, we recognize this opportunity, provided by the USAID-funded Upscaling Forest Restoration in KBAs Project through the Foundation for the Philippine Environment, in deepening our knowledge base.
Renato de Rueda President
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. In Cebu, the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF) spearheaded the efforts to conserve Cebus remaining forests and protect its threatened species, in partnership with forest guard associations. The USAID-FPE project brought about more opportunities for greater involvement of these forest guards, being recognized for their crucial roles in forest protection and reforestation efforts. CBCF advocates for stewardship as a key element among forest guards for sustainable development. This case study documents the different phases of forest wardens in their stewardship of the forests from conducting simple patrolling activities to having a deeper level of commitment to BCSD, as shown in their continued forest protection work, even without incentives.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY CONTEXT The Concept of Stewardship Phases of Stewardship: From Users to Forest Stewards ANALYSIS Stewarship of the Terrestrial KBAs in Cebu A. Tabunan Forest, Cebu City B. Nug-As Forest, Alcoy C. Palinpinon Range, Dalaguete CBCFs VISION AND MISSION MAPPING OUT FUTURE DIRECTIONS REFERENCES ANNEX 1: Results of Focus Group Discussion with Cebus Forest Guards 8 10 12 14 16 17 18 19 5 7 1 2 4 4
ACRONYMS
BALAK BASKET CBCFI CBFM CBFMA DENR EcoGov FFI FPE Haribon IUCN LGU KBA KMYLB NGO PO RSEA SAMPC UNDP USAID Bag-ong Alayon Alang sa Kalamboan Bag-ong Alayon sa Kakugi Ekonomiya sa Tawo Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. Community-based Forest Management Community-based Forest Management Agreement Department of Environment and Natural Resources The Philippine Environmental Governance Project/USAID Flora and Fauna International Foundation for Philippine Environment Inc. Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Nature International Union for the Conservation of Nature Local Government Unit Key Biodiversity Area(s) Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Yutang Lasangnon sa Bulalakao Non-government organization Peoples Organization Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment San Agustin Multipurpose Cooperative United Nations Development Program/Global Environment Facility United States Agency for International Development
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Communities are in the best position to manage and protect forests. Their participation in decision-making on the management and use of forest resources can spell the difference between sustainable development and the extinction of vulnerable species, communities, and habitats. Thus, the characterization of the forest wardens using the different phases of stewardship is done in this case study, for those communities living within the three terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas in Cebu, namely, the Tabunan Forest, Nug-as Forest, and the Palinpinon Range in Dalaguete. In these areas, even subsistence forest occupants have become effective stewards. In this regard, the presence of wardens communicates active management of an environmentally-sensitive area. They transmit knowledge, vital information, and key decisions about the ecosystem. In the case of Tabunan and Nug-as forests, stewards there realize that there is a trade-off between personal and organizational needs. Stewards choose to work for organizational needs, since they are, by definition, intrinsically-motivated by opportunities for growth, achievement, affiliation, and self-actualization. This is in stark contrast to an agents behavior, which is motivated by extrinsic, individualistic, tangible, and exchangeable commodities. The forest wardening scheme was established and facilitated by CBCFI, an NGO that aims to promote and facilitate enhanced protection and/or restoration of all remaining native wildlife and habitats in Cebu. It also aims to actively oppose activities that threaten conservation of these areas and species that inhabit the area, including illegal tree-cutting, hunting, or other forms of abuse, as well as unregulated and illegal exploitation. The context in these cases is sustainable biodiversity conservation. Having undergone various episodes of introspection, especially when financial resources and assistance became limited, the Tabunan Forest Stewards made the choice of continuing their roles as protectors of the forest. They did this, not because they were receiving external incentives, but because they have realized that the goals of environmental protection needed to be accomplished for their own benefit as well as for the present and future generations of the island of Cebu.
PAGE 2 |
THE PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP IN CEBUS TERRESTRIAL KBAS: THE CASES OF TABUNAN, ALCOY, AND DALAGUETE
Nug-as, the largest stand of forest cover in the entire province of Cebu, is dubbed as the last stronghold of biodiversity in Cebu, because it is the sanctuary of almost all threatened and endemic species of the province. It supports the largest surviving population of the Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis), more commonly known as the siloy, and the Cebu Cinnamon tree, one of the worlds most endangered plant species. It is the setting where peoples organizations, such as Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Yutang Lasangnon sa Bulalakaw (KMYLB), Bag-ong Alayon Alang sa Kalamboan (BALAK) and Bag-ong Alayon sa Kakugi Ekonomiya sa Tawo (BASKET), have been organized by the DENR, with assistance from various foreign-funded projects. They are the offspring of various foreign-assisted projects and are at various levels of functionality, growth, and maturity. Nug-as forest wardens are deemed extrinsically motivated and have not yet reached a point of self-determination and internalization. When not receiving initiative and motivation from external sources, the Nug-as forest wardens, at their present phase of stewardship, may find it difficult to maintain and continue the level of commitment and performance that they are currently providing. The management of the Palinpinon Range is led by a steadfast and resolute LGU of Dalaguete, with its Local Chief Executive reflecting on the LGU vision for the uplands and revitalizing the bantay lasang (forest guards). The bantay lasang of Dalaguete, particularly the Palinpinon Range, are now called Community-Based Partners. It is the intention of the current Local Chief Executive that the role of the LGU will slowly shift from control (i.e. employer) to that of mentorship. When and how this will happen poses a challenge to change agents. Currently, the DENR, through one of its projects, is assisting the Local Government Units to protect the forests of Nug-as, Alcoy and the Palimpinon Range by way of recognizing their efforts through the establishment of local conservation areas with the technical support of Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.
INTRODUCTION
This case study is part of the USAID-FPE project entitled Up-scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas, which seeks to improve biodiversity conservation through restoration and management in the eight key biodiversity areas (KBAs) including the bioregion of Cebu. In connection with the USAID-FPE project components of knowledge management, partnership-building, natural resource management, and sustainability, this case study seeks to define and identify the different Phases of Stewardship in the three terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas in Cebu, namely, the Tabunan Forest, Nug-as Forest, and the Palinpinon Range in Dalaguete.
METHODOLOGY
This case study uses qualitative data analysis through the triangulation of evidence and data in the context of multiple sites and data sources, in order to define and identify the phases of stewardship within and among the three (3) terrestrial KBAs of Cebu. On August 27, 2012, a whole-day Case Study Writeshop was conducted by USAID-FPEs Knowledge Management Specialist, Ma. Rhodora Veloso, at the CUSW Conference Room in Cebu City, with the staff and specialists of CBCFI, along with May Elizabeth Ybaez, who represented CBCFIs Board of Trustees, the case study writer, June Banagodos (USAID - FPE Regional Coordinator), and Raffi S. Domingo (USAID-FPE National Coordinator). During the writeshop, guidelines for the conduct of the case study and pertinent information were provided, the topic and theme were identified, and the proposed outline of the case study was determined. This case study uses qualitative data analysis through the triangulation of evidence and data in the context of multiple sites and data sources, in order to define and identify the phases of stewardship within and among the three (3) terrestrial KBAs of Cebu. On August 27, 2012, a whole-day Case Study Writeshop was conducted by USAID-FPEs Knowledge Management Specialist, Ma. Rhodora Veloso, at the CUSW Conference Room in Cebu City, with the staff and specialists of CBCFI, along with May Elizabeth Ybaez, who represented CBCFIs Board of Trustees, the case study writer, June Banagodos (USAID - FPE Regional Coordinator), and Raffi S. Domingo (USAID-FPE National Coordinator). During the Writeshop, guidelines for the conduct of the case study and pertinent information were provided, the topic and theme were identified, and the proposed outline of the case study was determined. The conceptual framework of the study regarding the Phases of Stewardship was then formulated. Data was gathered through the compilation and review of research on the said topic, focusing on information gathered and presented in the various CBCFI research studies as well as the RSEAs prepared by CBCFI on the three KBAs. This case study also utilizes information and data gathered from two pertinent 2012 studies conducted by CBCFI research specialists, namely: (1) Profiling, Characterization, and Needs Assessment of the Tabunan Forest Stewards, Nug-as Forest Wardens, and the Dalaguete Bantay Lasang (now called Community-Based Partners), and (2) Values Assessment of the Forest Guards in the same KBAs. Unstructured interviews and consultations with CBCFI staff and May Elizabeth Ybaez (CBCFI Board of Trustees/ Adviser) were also undertaken.
PAGE 4 |
CONTEXT
The Concept of Stewardship
Philippine forests have extremely high floral and faunal density. With continued deforestation and other environmentallydestructive practices, certain species are now considered as endangered or even extinct. This has led to the Philippines being dubbed as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world1. One way of ensuring that the network of protected areas adequately conserves biodiversity is through the conservation of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), sites holding populations of globally-threatened or geographically-restricted species2. A key component in the conservation of biodiversity in the country is the community-based forest management (CBFM) strategy, in recognition of the fact that local communities are present in most, if not all, of the protected areas. Underlying this strategy is the belief that communities are in the best position to manage and protect forests if they participate in decision-making on the sustainable use of forest resources. For several decades, the development approach in the Philippines has been to empower Peoples Organizations (POs) through the use of community organizers employed by development-oriented NGOs3 entrusted with the responsibility for forest rehabilitation, protection and conservation. One of the most prevalent forest management strategies is the organization of a local brigade of forest guards, mostly male, to help the state in protecting the forests, both from local illegal users, as well as from outsiders4.
McNeely, et al 1990 http://www.eoearth.org/article/Biological_diversity_in_the_Philippines 3 Lasco and Pulhin 2006 4 Contreras, A. (2005) Creating Space for Local Forest Management: The Case of the Philippines. Paper presented in the National Conference Proceedings on Integrating Forest Conservation with Local Governance. Haribon Foundation and Birdlife International. Quezon City, Philippines.
1 2
Lack of attention to community-organizing and social preparation has been identified as factors hindering forest protection. Also, historical reports in various sites show that when funding for the wages runs out, patrol work also stops (Guiang, et al 2001). It is therefore vital that the level of empowerment in the community must be that of stewardship, rather than a mere laborer-for-hire, to achieve sustainability, even without outside intervention.
The Concept of Stewardship

According to the Stewardship Theory of Management, stewards, like everyone, have basic survival needs, such as means of livelihood. The difference between a self-interested agent and a steward is in how these survival needs are met.
Stewards realize that there is a trade-off between personal and organizational needs, yet choose to work for organizational needs.
By doing so, stewards assume their personal needs will be met and will place the organizations needs first before their own needs (Davis et al., 1997).6 An agent is rooted in economic rationality, and is motivated by extrinsic, individualistic, tangible, exchangeable commodities, while a steward is intrinsically-motivated by opportunities for growth, achievement, affiliation and self-actualization. When one is intrinsically-motivated, there is a natural emergence of the desired behavior. Engaging a task with conviction and accepting new values and regulations are achieved with ease and with no conflict (CBCFI/Tenchavez, 2012). Forest stewardship is defined as the wise management and proper use of forest resources to ensure their health and productivity for years to come (Sullivan and Brittingham, 2008). The same paper further emphasizes that for one to be better equipped in stewardship of the forest, one has to have enough information about the forest and its habitats for wildlife and its population. A forest steward should also be aware of the importance of the forest, what it can provide (for both wildlife species and man), what are the benefits and effects of ecological tasks that maintain healthy forests. One also has to have enough skills, to better perform the task of maintaining forest wildlife, its eco-terrestrial flora and fauna, and other resources that are existent in the forest. Applying the above theory of stewardship to the present case, champions of the forest must be stewards, and not simply wardens or forest guards (agents). Therefore, they must be intrinsically motivated. An intrinsically-motivated forest steward would have the self-determination to preserve the forest, because he (or she) has fully understood the importance of his or her work to preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment. A self-actualized forest steward has reached a certain personal growth and has had enough experience to truly know his or her capabilities. A forest steward is someone with the responsibility to maintain, manage, and protect the forest as beyond himself or herself and has the desire to pass on these experiences and knowledge of the forest itself to the future generation (CBCFI/Tenchavez 2012). The concept of stewardship is also characterized as leading oneself towards performance of naturally-motivating tasks as well as managing to do work that must be done but is not naturally motivating.7 In the context of stewardship of the forest and other natural resources, this characterization of self-leadership is critical as it spurs a higher value of commitment than just mere agency. Peter Senge (1999) also describes leadership as the capacity of a community to sustain profound change.8
Davis, J., D. Schoorman and L. Donaldson (1997) Toward a Stewardship Theory of Management, Academy of Management Review Vol. 22, pages 20 47. 6 Davis, J., D. Schoorman and L. Donaldson (1997) Toward a Stewardship Theory of Management, Academy of Management Review Vol. 22, pages 20 47. 7 Davis, et al (1997) 8 Senge, Peter (1999) The Dance of Change. Doubleday/Currency
5
PAGE 6 |
In stewardship, it is vital that structures that facilitate and empower the stewards are developed, rather than those that merely monitor and control the stewards/wardens. Peter Block (1993, 1996) aptly states that choosing service over self-interest becomes more powerful when the capacity of the next generation to govern themselves is built on a solid foundation.9 Stakeholders must be further empowered to plan, implement, enforce and monitor their own programs (Sodhi et al, 2008). As part of the lessons learned by Transmonte et al (2005), empowerment of local players gives them enthusiasm to participate in a certain undertaking. This comes with the knowledge that not only DENR, but also the local populace, has the mandate. Capacity-building and awareness-raising of stakeholders are necessity for them to play a more active and meaningful role in forest governance. Actual field experience in doing forest conservation brings more impetus to do more actions than mere discussions and plan formulation. Even more important outcomes of training activities are, rather than the rote learning of ecological principles and technologies, the development of self-confidence in ones ability to understand, analyze, plan, and implement, and the concomitant high of self-esteem that serves as the foundation for genuine empowerment.10 The challenge in empowerment and capacity-building programs is in instilling the value that forest stewardship is a responsibility and a privilege, rather than a mere job, among individuals and communities protecting the KBAs. Past strategies all over the country had planners assuming a paternalistic assumption that outside implementers were needed to protect people from themselves and their own lack of experience. This strategy led to heavy rural dependencies on government projects and has stifled local initiative. At present, forest management in the Philippines has evolved from a regulatory to a development-oriented approach, where the role of local communities and institutions is now recognized as an important factor. In the words of former DENR Secretary Michael Defensor, local governance and community participation play key roles in improving the state of our countrys forests. It also bears emphaszing that partnership and cooperation of the LGUs and other concerned sectors is (sic) very important in seeking and strengthening the participation of local communities for forest management including enforcement of forestry laws.11
Intrinsically motivated forest stewards would have the selfdetermination to preserve the forest, having fully understood their work in preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment.
Phases of Stewardship: From Users to Forest Stewards

For the purposes of this study, the Phases of Stewardship are as follows: 1. Shift from pure utilization of forest resources to a phase of discovery and partnership-building to protect the discovery: At this phase, forest occupants become aware that the forest environment is the territory of the various unique species of flora and fauna. This realization is often initiated by outsiders, who point out the uniqueness, rarity and new facets of the species relative to global and local inventories. Both parties become conscious of the need to partner with each other. 2. First Stage of Protection: Mobilization of forest guards. Some forest occupants feel compelled to guard or protect the habitat and their dwindling resources from threats.
Block, Peter (1993, 1996) Stewardship: Choosing Service over Self-Interest. Bennet-Koehler Publishers, Inc. San Francisco, CA. Borlagdan, S., Guiang, E., Pulhin, J. (2001) Community-based Forest Management in the Philippines: A Preliminary Assessment. Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University. Quezon City, Philippines. 11 Aro, S. (2012) LGUs Roles Crucial in Forest Management DENR www.pia.gov.ph
9 10
3. Second Stage of Protection: Formation of forest wardens. Leaders in the community organize the protection efforts, receive recognition, and assistance from support groups and authorities, and; 4. Third Stage of Protection: Transition from wardens to stewards. The decision and subsequent actions go beyond protection to other facets of management and conservation, including rehabilitation or restoration, recovery, and/or changing the behaviour of the rest of the community to decrease threats. Alliances and partnerships play key roles in meeting current and future environmental challenges. CBCFI largely facilitated all these stages in Tabunan, Nug-as and Dalaguete, for the USAID-FPE project, in the Third Stage of Protection by providing opportunities in NRM. Many of these challenges cannot be addressed by a single agency and require the concerted efforts of multi-stakeholders from government, academic and research institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations, especially as natural landscapes may straddle more than one local administrative unit. Moreover, engaging communities would bridge the gap of commitment and concern when there are changes in (elected) leadership.12 In the paper, Community-Based Forest Management in the Philippines: A Preliminary Assessment, it was stated that project interventions serve as the primary strategy for building local capacity for self-governance that will make good the potential benefits from the resource allocation and use rights devolved to the communities. 13 The same paper further emphasized that LGUs, being the formal government structure closest to the community, have both the stake and the resources with which to support community management of natural resources.
ANALYSIS
Stewardship of the Terrestrial KBAs in Cebu
The island of Cebu (Endemic Bird Area 153) is globally recognized by ornithologists and conservationists as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It currently holds three forest IBAs on the main island, namely, the Tabunan forest located within the Central Cebu National Park, Nug-as and Mt. Lantoy, and Mt. Kangbulagsing.14 A forest wardening scheme was established, facilitated by CBCFI with the objective of promoting and facilitating the enhanced future protection and/or restoration of all remaining native wildlife and habitats and to actively oppose any activities prejudicial to the enhanced conservation of these areas and species; including illegal tree-cutting, hunting, or other forms of abuse and unregulated and illegal exploitation.15 The wardens provide education for all - local, domestic, and international community- of an environmentally-sensitive area and what man can do to alleviate such struggles. They inspire the rest of the world that even subsistence forest occupants can become effective stewards. The presence of wardens communicates active management of an environmentallysensitive area. They transmit knowledge, vital information, and key decisions about the ecosystem.16
12
13 14 15
16
Assessing Progress Towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target: the 4th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. 2009 Guiang, Borlagdan and Pulhin, 2001 Mallari et al, 2001 CBCF Forest Wardens Terms of Reference 2002 as cited in Ybaez, S. (2012). A Study on the Characterization, Profiling and Needs Assessment of Forest Wardens in the Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas of Cebu, Philippines. CBCFI. Interview with May Ybaez ,January 25, 2004 as quoted in Ybaez, S. (2004) Communication Roles of Forest Wardens in Tabunan, Cebu City Unpublished undergraduate thesis. University of the Philippines Los Baos College of Development Communication.
PAGE 8 |
The best practices and lessons learned are as follows: 1. Engaging the forest communities the de facto resource managers - is the foundation for sustainable forest protection and biodiversity conservation. Their passion and commitment cannot be curtailed once they become engaged. These are exemplified by the Tabunan Forest Stewards, Nug-as Forest wardens in KMYLB and Dalaguete Bantay Lasang. 2. Engaging legitimate authorities, such as the Local Government Units of Alcoy and Dalaguete with DENR VII, brings in the necessary policy basis and administrative/financial support to the forest communities. They also bring in the recognition and resources needed by the forest wardens to boost their efforts. 3. Facilitating partnerships with other champions nongovernment organizations such as CBCFI has largely determined the birth of forest wardening in these areas and supplied rich knowledge of the natural resource attributes and uniqueness in the area, 4. The forest patrolling/wardening/protection is a logical entry point used to engage forest communities in biodiversity conservation. In itself, the processes and systems of protection can be improved through facilitated self-evaluation and improved accountability measures within the group. This can be given a higher level of importance by a reporting and feedback system to the legitimate authorities and greater community, which is on the drawing table of CBCFI, PAMB, DENR, and the LGUs. 5. Opportunities to upgrade the responsibilities of forest wardens to stewardship are to be availed of when programmes and projects arrive, such as rehabilitating degraded habitats with the rainforestation projects (USAID-FPE Project), conserving species and their habitats with preventing extinctions and habitat assessment projects (PEP and new CAPP Projects), and sustaining conservation efforts with alternative livelihood opportunities (seedling nurserying production, ecotourism and bird watching and non-timber based enterprises, such as spice products). 6. Shifting into stewardship can be the object of value formation, skills upgrading and organization development interventions that are needed, especially for the non-leaders in the organization. 7. Field experiences in patrolling, protection, nurserying, rainforestation, reforestation, guiding, and participation in biodiversity assessments and species/ecosystems studies are ripe for capture, documentation and sharing. To some extent, these are being processed and documented in varied ways by different groups.
Tabunan forest guards during one of their monitoring activities (CBCF File Photo).
A.Tabunan Forest, Cebu City

Tabunan Forest is not merely a viable old-growth forest. It is the last remaining reservoir of genetic resources in Central Cebu and is the sanctuary of critically endangered and vulnerable fauna and flora, many of which are found only in Cebu, such as the Cebu Flowerpecker, Black Shama, Cebu Endemic Small Worm Burrowing Skink, the Cebu Cinnamon tree, and Cebu Derris. Currently managed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), its on-field protection is provided by committed de facto resource managers, the Tabunan Forest Stewards/Wardens, with assistance from the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCFI) along with its past and current partner institutions. The Tabunan Forest has a protected area status as an Important Bird Area (PH068), Key Biodiversity Area No. 822, and Conservation Priority Area 102. In February 1992, the forest patch of Tabunan became the site of the rediscovery of the Cebu flowerpecker ( Dicaeum quadricolor ), which had been considered extinct since 1906. This breakthrough precipitated a wave of conservation interest in the site 17, owing also to the rediscovery of twelve (12) other subspecies of birds endemic to Cebu from 1996 to 2002 by CBCFI and its partners, in coordination with Flora and Fauna International (FFI) under the Darwin Initiative for Saving Our Species (SOS) Program. From then on, community-based forest wardens known as the Tabunan Forest Stewards Association, under the leadership of Lucresio Oking Son, have protected and conserved the forest habitat where these species unique to Cebu have taken sanctuary. (CBCFI, 2012)18 Until recently, the conservation efforts in Tabunan, Cebu were small packages implemented by locally-based POs (i.e. Tabunan Forest Stewards Association) and conservation NGOs (i.e. CBCFI), with small grants from international organizations (i.e. FFI and Birdlife International) and zoological societies. In the early 1990s, there were six forest wardens in Tabunan compared to the 14 who now patrol the area. In the past, they served mainly as field guides for CBCFI studies, and bird watchers. From 1998 onwards, CBCFI provided substantial input sessions about the environment, ecosystems, and faunal species. CBCFI also helped them get organized, so that they would effectively patrol the area, observe the habits of specific species and characterize their habitats, and manage the influx of visitors to the area. They continued these, even during a 5-year absence of direct support from CBCFI. They eventually learned to deal directly with DENR over the apprehension of poachers and conduct of biological monitoring system. These have been marked with a high degree of volunteerism and goodwill. The last decade saw a substantial increase in investments in the form of programs and projects by national and local government units, foreign donors (UNDP, USAID, GIZ, CIDA) in partnership with CBCFI, and national NGOs (FPE, Haribon Foundation, PBSP).
PAGE 10 |
The Tabunan forest stewards have been in the program for a long time, with a close-knit, personally selected group, with a good camaraderie with each other. Not all of them may have enough knowledge and skills to carry out their responsibilities, but they exhibit a strong desire to gain more knowledge and skills and to pass on the said knowledge to their children, family, friends and outsiders. Even in the absence of outside support, at some point, they still continued to perform their duties, though not as diligently as they wanted, as they had to concentrate on providing for their families (CBCFI/Tenchavez, 2012). Tabunan Forest wardens are in the Third Stage of Protection: Transition from wardens to stewards. Tabunan became self-starters and intrinsically-motivated, as they underwent various episodes of reflection and self-evaluation/introspection, especially when financial resources and assistance became limited. Introspection by the Tabunan Forest Stewards led them to make a choice of continuing their roles as protectors of the forest, not because they were receiving external incentives but rather realizing that the goals of environmental protection needed to be accomplished for the whole community. Furthermore, because Tabunan is within the area of influence of metropolitan Cebu, where livelihood opportunities are plentiful, the decision to remain stewards is an informed choice and resolve among various options. Since 2000, the Tabunan wardens had raised and sold indigenous seedlings in their backyards, supported by a grant from the Partners Collaborating for Environmental and Economic Management (PCEEM). The rainforestation initiatives of the Up-scaling Forest Restoration in KBAs of FPE, funded by USAID, have provided the wardens an opportunity to go beyond patrolling to rehabilitation of the habitat and upgrading their seedling production using rainforestation technology. They also look forward to the WEO trainings that would sharpen their skills and knowledge of current laws and policies. The internalization of the motivation for performing their roles as stewards is encapsulated in the words of Lucresio Son, Konektado man gud ta ani niya. If maguba na dinha, kami ra man sad taga dinhi ang makaluluoy kay mawad-an mig kabuhian, nagsalig man mi tanan ana dinha medicine, carbon capture, food consumption. (We are all connected (to the forest. If it is destroyed, we, the local community, would suffer as we would lose our source of livelihood. We all depend on the forest for medicine, carbon capture, food consumption).19
17 Timmins 1992, Dutson 1339b, Dutson et al 1993, Magsalay 1993, Magsalay 1995, Evans et al 1993a as cited in Birdlife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the Birdlife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: Birdlife International. 18 RSEA - CBCF Upscaling Forest Restoration Areas in the Philippines Project 2012 19 Lucresio Oking Son (taken from Valeros, Maria Eleanor. Stewards of Our Last Forest. The Freeman. Updated March 28, 2012
11
In addition to patrolling the area against poachers, the Tabunan Forest Stewards started rainforestation of patches of open lands within the vicinity in 2011, where they would convince claimants to join their rehabilitation activities. They did these with the Preventing Extinctions Programme of CBCFI-Haribon-Birdlife International in 2011 and with the USAID-FPE UpScaling Forest Restoration Project. They also sell seedlings of endemic trees raised in backyard nurseries to the public including the PBSP and Mag-ugmad Foundation, to name a few. They continue to guide international and local trekkers and bird watchers who frequent the area promoting the unique species. Their leader, Oking Son, is often invited to guest in lectures, tv appearances and radio interviews about their initiatives in Tabunan such as those under the sponsorship of Globe Telecommunications. He is currently considered as one of Cebu Citys prestigious citizen awardees for these efforts. They have recently launched a monthly clean-up drive of solid wastes together with the public school during which time, they also offer lectures about the environment in general and Tabunan forest resources in particular. Its current challenge is to increase the power base from a few of its leaders to a stable core group of other forest wardens. Recent discussions about rainforestation with other members of the Association indicate the need to set up governance elements in decision making i.e., transparency and accountability so that all other members are up-to-date with project processes, arrangements and agreements. Its systems and processes in planning, implementing, evaluating and re-investing need to be fine-tuned to improve the functionality of its organization. As the organization increases its scope beyond protection wardening, the knowledge and principles of biodiversity conservation in general and species/ ecosystems management in particular must be honed across all members of the organization, especially those who have joined only in the last two years and have not been privy to past trainings.
B. Nug-as Forest, Alcoy

Nug-as has the largest (2,355 hectares) standalone standing forest cover in the entire province of Cebu. It is dubbed as the last stronghold of biodiversity in Cebu since it is the sanctuary of almost all threatened and endemic species of the province.20 Since 1999, CBCFI has provided the scientific database for biodiversity conservation initiatives. CBCFI research reveals that the Nug-as forest supports the largest surviving population of the Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis), more commonly known as the siloy, whose population has dwindled over the past few decades. It is also home to the largest surviving population of the Cebu Cinnamon tree, one of the worlds most endangered plant species, and until recently, had only less than 20 mature tree population . The municipality of Alcoy is a diverse mix of players and institutions especially in the uplands. Recognized as an Important Bird Area and KBA, most of Alcoys forestlands are either under a co-management agreement between the LGU and the DENR21 or under community-based forest management agreements of DENR with several POs who exist in the upland barangays. Among these POs formed in the 1990s are the Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Yutang Lasangnon sa Bulalakaw (KMYLB), Bag-ong Alayon Alang sa Kalamboan (BALAK), Bag-ong Alayon sa Kakugi Ekonomiya sa Tawo (BASKET), and San Agustin Multipurpose Cooperative (SAMPC). These POs are at various levels of functionality, growth and maturity. The CBFMA of KMYLB is under review as it was suspended by DENR pending submission of various requirements. Officials and members of SAMPC are undergoing retribution due to the cutting of naturally growing trees to give way to coffee plantations. The forest wardens in Nug-as are specially-trained members of the various POs in Alcoy by the CBCFI, duly authorized by the DENR and the Local Government of Alcoy at the turn of the millennium.
20 21
RSEA Nug-as 2012 CBCF http://ecogovproject.denr.gov.ph/docs/Story_Alcoy_is_learning_stop.htm

PAGE 12 |
Nug-as Forest, dubbed as the last stronghold of biodiversity in Cebu for being the sanctuary of almost all threatened and endemic species of the province (June Banagodos/USAID-FPE).
The case of the Nug-as forest wardens is quite different from that of the Tabunan forest stewards, in that the latter was spawned by CBCFIs small projects of CBCFI while Nug-as POs are progenies largely of the big foreign-assisted projects of DENR. The main source of income of the community including the wardens is farming, including the production of vegetables for market and livestock raising. The forest wardens came from a community that in the past cut forest trees to open the land for farming activities. In Nug-as, there are limited opportunities for alternative sources of livelihood. External projectassisted programs provided alternative sources of livelihood such as in reforestation and seedling production. The Nug-as forest wardens except for its leaders like Sofronio, Pablo Adaw, Benjamin delos Santos, among others, are extrinsically motivated, and have not yet reached a point of self-determination and internalization. Engagement in any activity comes with a price. No pay, No way among non-leaders bespeaks the underlying value of the forest ecosystem that other members link to their lives.This being the case, when not receiving initiative and motivation from external sources, the Nug-as forest wardens, at their present phase of stewardship, may find it difficult to maintain and continue the level of commitment and performance that they are currently providing on their own strength. It is thus important to implement an organizational development program that would facilitate growth in KMYLB towards a more empowered group. This would necessarily be value-laden and motivational as well. These are of higher importance than skills development which they have received from various WEO and biodiversity conservation trainings they had in the past.
13
C. Palinpinon Range, Dalaguete

Known as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu, the municipality of Dalaguete has 22 upland barangays representing approximately 47% of its total area and classified as forestland. Of the 22 barangays classified as forestland, around 58% are public forest. The main source of livelihood of the said municipality is a considerable factor in the conversion of forestlands into agricultural use.22 The Bulak-Babayongon-Dumalag forest fragment in Dalaguete is also referred to as the Palinpinon Range. Like Nug-as, Dalaguetes forest patches are also critically important for conservation because it is one of the remaining forests in Cebu that holds record of the Cebu Flowerpecker and a couple of other endemic species and subspecies of birds. The management of Palinpinon Range is led by a resolute LGU of Dalaguete with its Local Chief Executive revisiting its vision for the uplands and revitalizing the Bantay Lasang (forest guards). It is also in the process of addressing core investments for the areas using its forestland use plan as basis for addressing access to the forests. Deputized forest officers called bantay lasang from 8 different barangays carry out active forest protection. This program was initiated in 2004 when the 8 bird sanctuaries in Dalaguete were established. In early 2012, the program was revitalized when the LGU, under the leadership of its local chief executive, enlisted key community-based members of POs who were violators (i.e. fuel-wood gatherers and loggers) and included them in forest protection teams which retained the most committed of the original bantay lasang. The teams conduct patrolling and protection work and rehabilitation in designated patches of forest in their locality. Their first major rehabilitation effort is the rainforestation of 20 hectares Palinpinon range under the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project. At present, the bantay lasang of Dalaguete and particularly the Palinpinon Range, are now called Community-Based Partners. Through training and conducted by both the LGU and CBCFI, these Community-Based Partners have gained knowledge of the impact of their former destructive practices to the KBA and the importance of putting an end to the said practices in order to preserve the unique biodiversity and forest cover of the Palinpinon Range. In a study conducted by CBCFI mid-2012, it was determined that these original bantay lasang of Dalaguete are in the third phase of stewardship (forest wardening), while the new members are still in the second phase as forest guards. The LGU Dalaguete has time and again shown its self-determination to make things work in environmental governance. It has been recognized and awarded so by the Provincial Government of Cebu and DENR VII in 2010. Today, the incumbent mayor believes that the LGU should mold a forest protection and conservation team from amongst those who used to be the sources of threat, eventually, with capacity-building inputs to increase their level of empowerment, these community-based members will reach a phase of stewardship where they will become self-driven co-partners of the LGU indicated in their new nomenclature and the role of the latter will slowly shift from control (i.e. employer) to that of mentorship. However, before even reaching such a stage, the LGU is sensitive to how external projects play a role in this paradigm to the extent that it has refused foreign-assisted projects that do not support this paradigm.
22
RSEA Nug-as 2012 CBCF

PAGE 14 |
Palinpinon range in 3D, made by forest guards and community members of Dalaguete, with the help of CBCF, to aid them in forest restoration planning and monitoring activities (Rafael Olodin/CBCF).
15
STATING CBCFIS VISION AND MISSION

The Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (CBCFI) is a non-government organization duly registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit organization since 1997. CBCFI is one of Cebus leading NGOs and specializes in generating scientific information about Cebus biodiversity, enhances responsible stewardship and management by local stakeholders especially in key biodiversity areas, and initiates advocacy work for conservation, thus stimulating champions and partners from within mandated agencies, local government units, local communities and other sectors of society. The CBCFI envisions the sustained existence of native and endemic species in their natural habitats, particularly in key biodiversity areas of Cebu by way of continued protection, restoration and expansion strategies implemented with the local communities and stakeholders. It also envisions peaceful co-existence in these dynamic ecosystems amongst flora, fauna and human populations. The CBCFI mission is the conservation in perpetuity of Cebus unique, important and threatened and vulnerable species and their habitats. With over 10 years of leading experience in key biodiversity hotspots in the island of Cebu, Philippines, CBCFI is committed to create a culture of champions for biodiversity in Cebu and for Cebus rich natural heritage, particularly in the forests of Tabunan, Nug-as, Mt. Lantoy and Palinpinon Range. It will thus enrich and disseminate knowledge, instill desired behavior change and advocate more effective management by both the de facto stewards and mandated agents including improved policy, administrative and technical support. It shall promote investments and engage in activities aimed at the conservation, restoration and expansion of ecosystems that nurture these threatened and vulnerable species. It endeavors to manifest its core values and guiding principles in the decisions, actions and investments, to wit: CBCFI values people and is COMMUNITY-ORIENTED, recognizing the necessity of inculcating stewardship amongst the local communities. It seeks to empower and nurture individuals, families and communities towards better stewardship of and support for the threatened species and their ecosystems. This is manifested in capacity building assistance to improve competencies of forest wardens and the functionality of Peoples Organizations such as KMYLB, BASKET, BALAK, Duaw-Sangyaw, Tabunan Forest Stewards and Bantay Lasang. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT is sought by facilitating the gradual transition from forest wardens into forest stewards of key biodiversity conservation areas : Nug-as Forest (Alcoy and Boljoon), Tabunan Forest (Cebu City), Palinpinon Range (Dalaguete) and Mt. Lantoy (Argao), among others. It fosters community-based initiatives, adheres to the principles of optimal and equitable distribution of benefits to stakeholders, enhances of their quality of life, and values their acceptance and meaningful participation. CBCFI works on a platform of biodiversity conservation in Cebu. In 2010, it received the distinctive title Species Guardian for the Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor) under the Preventing Extinctions Programme of BirdLife International and its Philippine partner, Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources. It espouses balanced ecosystems inclusive of humanity. Thus, it seeks to address improved living standards and livelihood, as well as improved interpersonal relations/ communications from the ridge to reef to reduce the threats and remove barriers to desired behavior change. CBCFI fosters PROACTIVE, PURPOSE-DRIVEN and INTEGRATIVE RELATIONSHIPS i.e., (1) with local partners and stakeholders while espousing PROFESSIONALISM of choices, decisions and actions based on empirical and solid information through research standards; (2) as a cohort in improved environmental governance by municipal governments of Alcoy,
PAGE 16 |
Dalaguete and Argao, the City and Provincial governments of Cebu and their public-private partnerships; (3) with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Local Responsible Partner in Nug-as and Lantoy Forests of the UNDP Expanding and Diversifying the National System of Terrestrial Protected Areas in the Philippines, as accredited member of the PAMBs of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape as well as the Olango Island Seascape; and (4) with other NGOs such as the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Flora and Fauna International (FFI), Birdlife International and conscience groups in society. CBCFI values mentorship and coaching alongside trainings and interactive learning modules. It encourages volunteerism and in the spirit of collaboration and meaningful coordination.
MAPPING OUT FUTURE DIRECTIONS: NEXT STEPS

Brokers for sustainable development cannot underestimate the essence of local communities who manage their destiny by protecting and conserving the forest resources as habitats of globally significant and threatened species of fauna and flora. Hence, the characterization and analysis of their values and skills vis--vis the stages of stewardship is important to guide future investments that would ensure that they reach the apex of stewardship and maintain such responsibility over generations and even across sites within the key biodiversity area. This case study will thus be used as a springboard for discussions at two important levels: (i) among the community of forest wardens themselves and (ii) among the decision makers of the legitimate institutions mandated with the management of these areas, i.e., DENR and the LGUs. The objectives of such roundtable discussions are diverse but not limited to the following: (1) feedback and validation, (2) advocating for stewardship as a key element in sustainable development of these conservation areas and thus a basis for monitoring and evaluation, and (3) strategic and participatory planning. The resulting work and investment plan would identify key activities and policies that would enhance their competencies so they achieve the desire state, facilitate the maturation process within the stewards communities, and ensure the willful and gradual diminishing of the control function of DENR and LGU so that relationship will shift into a partnership. This series of activities can be aligned with the biodiversity conservation planning exercise taking place particularly as a critical ingredient in the institutional sustainability in KBAs. The resulting validated work and investment plan will be used as a framework for pledging support commitments from the resource-rich support groups particularly DENR, LGUs, academe, NGOs and industry. In the case of the community, the resulting work plan will be the basis for improving their own functionalities and governance elements. These next steps need to be facilitated well as their desired results will be an important ingredient for sustained community development and biodiversity conservation in the KBA.
17
REFERENCES
Annual Report: New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project 2011 Aro, S. (2012) LGUs Roles Crucial in Forest Management DENR www.pia.gov.ph ASSESSING PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 BIODIVERSITY TARGET: The 4th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2009) Biological diversity in the Philippines (August 2008, updated on September 2011) Conservation International. http://www.eoearth.org/article/Biological_diversity_in_the_Philippines Block, Peter (1993, 1996) Stewardship: Choosing Service over Self-Interest. Bennet-Koehler Publishers, Inc. San Francisco, CA. Borlagdan, S., Guiang, E., Pulhin, J. (2001) Community-based Forest Management in the Philippines: A Preliminary Assessment. Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University. Quezon City, Philippines. Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. Biodiversity Studies in Cebu Island (Published and Unpublished Studies 1997-2012) Cribb, Jo. (2006) Agents or Stewards? Contracting with Voluntary Organisations. Policy Quarterly. Vol 2, Page 11-17. http://igps.victoria.ac.nz/publications/files/25c0407be8c.pdf Contreras, A. (2005) Creating Space for Local Forest Management: The Case of the Philippines. Paper presented in the National Conference Proceedings on Integrating Forest Conservation with Local Governance. Haribon Foundation and Birdlife International. Quezon City, Philippines. Davis, J., D. Schoorman and L. Donaldson (1997) Toward a stewardship theory of management, Academy of Management Review, 22, pp.20-47. FIELD METHODS MANUAL Volume 1: Diagnostic Tools for Supporting Joint Forest Management Systems (1992) Lasco, R. D., and J. M. Pulhin. Environmental Impacts of Community-based Forest Management in the Philippines. Int. J. Environment and Sustainable Development 5, no. 1 (2006): 46-56. NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ON INTEGRATING FOREST CONSERVATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNANCE. (2005). Haribon Foundation and BirdLife International. Quezon City, Philippines. Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment: Nug-as Forest and Palinpinon Range. KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS in the ISLAND OF CEBU. (2012) Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. for the Foundation for the Philippine Environment under the USAID-funded Upscaling Forest Restoration Areas in the Philippines Project. Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment: Tabunan Forest. KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS in the ISLAND OF CEBU. (2012) Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. for the Foundation for the Philippine Environment under the USAID-funded Upscaling Forest Restoration Areas in the Philippines Project. Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm: Participatory Governance on Forest Management (2005) Transmonte, Mario, Belvis, Eliseo and Alto, Minda Senge, Peter (1999) The Dance of Change. Doubleday/Currency Tenchavez, Eileen Marie. (2012) An Assessment Study of Values Existing in Forest Guards in Key Biodiversity Areas in Tabunan Forest, Nug-as Forest and Pamilmpinon Range. CBCFI Unpublished paper. Timmins 1992, Dutson 1339b, Dutson et al 1993, Magsalay 1993, Magsalay 1995, Evans et al 1993a as cited in Birdlife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the Birdlife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: Birdlife International. Valeros, Maria Eleanor. Stewards of Our Last Forest. The Freeman. Updated March 28, 2012 Ybaez, Serena Mae. (2004) Communication Roles of Forest Wardens in Tabunan, Cebu City Unpublished undergraduate thesis. University of the Philippines Los Baos College of Development Communication. Ybaez, Serena Mae. (2012) A Study on the Characterization, Profiling and Needs Assessment of Forest Wardens in the Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas of Cebu CBCFI Unpublished paper.
18
ANNEX 1 FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION RESULTS WITH CEBUS FOREST GUARDS

BY ESTELA RODRIGUEZ, CBCFI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Profile of the Tabunan Forest Stewards and their Perceptions on Forest Protection and Conservation A total of 14 all-male forest wardens are currently protecting the forest of Tabunan. These wardens have average about 44 years, all are married with an average of 5 children. Majority (78%) have had some elementary education while 14% have reached high school level. The wardens primary source of income is farming. A focus group discussion with eight of the wardens (57%) revealed their motivations for joining the Forest Stewards Association, their perception of the level of personal growth as a result of their work as forest wardens, and their level of knowledge about the forest and its importance to man and to future generations. Forest protection and patrol work with CBCF support started in 1998. They were then given a monthly honorarium of 750 pesos but this was later decreased to 400 pesos per month. From 2002 to 2010, financial support from CBCF discontinued, as CBCF started to expand to other sites. Despite this limitation, four to five wardens stayed on and continued to do patrol work within the forest (albeit with diminished enthusiasm and coverage). Reasons given by the respondents for this commitment to forest protection work include: 1. Awareness of the importance and function of the birds as pollinators; 2. Knowledge and appreciation of the relationship between man and trees (forest) and its contribution to livelihood opportunities; 3. Recognition of the growing threats that beset the forest and their desire to prevent further threats from increasing; 4. Slowly, they are beginning to see the fruits of their patrol work and do not wish to see added threats to the forest. In 2011, CBCF received assistance from Birdlife, through Haribon, and the wardens were again given their monthly honoraria. Motivation for becoming a forest warden, an undertaking perceived as risky and underpaid, is an indicator of the level of commitment of a steward who is intrinsically motivated by opportunities for growth and self-actualization. Newly-recruited wardens usually derive their motivation from the stories and knowledge shared by the older wardens about the forest and the importance of conserving the remaining fragments in their area. Almost all of the eight respondents feel that they have been fully oriented and mentored by relatives or close friends who have joined the association. The small amount that they get from forest protection and patrol work did not deter them from joining the association. Seven out of the eight respondents (87%) acknowledged that their work as forest wardens has helped them in their personal growth, i.e. they have gained a certain level of confidence in disseminating useful information about the forest and its protection as well as confidence in their authority to apprehend violators. The various trainings conducted by CBCFI, with assistance from various projects, have helped in the improvement of their personal traits and qualities. The WEO Training, conducted through the USAID-FPE Project has given them enough confidence to patrol and apprehend violators. Support by the project (supplies and gears) has also made their patrol work safer and easier. Sufficient knowledge about the forest is also one of the indicators of a good steward. Majority of the respondents (7 out of 8) claimed that they need to learn more about the forest, its importance, and the benefits that can be derived from protecting it.
In terms of percentage, they identified their level of learnings on the following: 1. Identification of birds, trees, by its common, local , and scientific names : Current knowledge - 70% 2. Importance of forest 80% 3. Wildlife and its habitat 70% 4.Benefits derived from the forest 50% 5. Enough skills in forest protection 50% 6. Enough experience to know their capabilities - 75% Manage forest for future generation 50% (five out of the eight wardens) In terms of motivation, the Tabunan forest wardens appear to very committed to their forest protection work. However, caution must be exercised in generalizing this for all Tabunan wardens. There might be a respondent bias since the wardens interviewed were the pioneers in the association and were exposed to various interviews with media and project funders. It can be safely concluded that a few have reached the transition from wardens to steward but others are still grappling with understanding new information and issues. In addition, the few who have absorbed the meaning of a true steward may not always stay at that level. Difficulties in livelihood and problems associated with patrol and protection work may also influence current thinking and make him move to a level with less commitment. Almost all of the respondents agree that there is more to learn about the forest that they are protecting, including the trees and wildlife within it. This is evident in their responses regarding skills in forest protection, understanding of the benefits derived from the forest and the importance of preserving it for the future generation. Profile of the Nug-as Forest Stewards and their Perceptions on Forest Protection and Conservation There are three POs in the Nug-as Forest in Alcoy, namely: BALAK, BASKET, and KMYLB. There are two female wardens among the 42 wardens in Alcoy. The average age among the forest wardens is 44 years, majority are married, with an average number of five children. All wardens main source of income is from farming. About 63 percent of the wardens have had some elementary education. BALAK There were eight respondents from BALAK in Alcoy who participated in the focus group discussion and shared their perceptions on their work as forest wardens. In 2003, they were known as Range Officers and were not given any allowance or honoraria. Although CBCFI gave support to the Nug-as wardens in 2000, this came in the form of supplies (e.g. vest, raincoat, binoculars,and t-shirts) but no monetary remuneration was involved. It was only later (after 2003) that they were given 300 pesos per month by the LGU to do patrol work. Motivation All of the respondents claim that they were not motivated by money in their decision to become a forest warden. Their exposure to friends and relatives who have been doing forest protection work has helped them understand the need to conserve and protect the forest. Thus, when recruitment time came, it was not difficult to get their support and bring them into the association. In terms of percentage, they identified their level of learnings on the following: 1. Knowledge about the Forest - 62 percent (5 out of 8 respondents ) claimed that their knowledge about the forest is only up to 40 to 60 percent of total knowledge needed. They need to be exposed and trained to completely know all they need to know about the forest. 2. Enough experience as forest wardens to know their own capabilities - All claimed that only 50 percent has been achieved in this area and they need to expand their experience so that they can transform themselves into better persons, cognizant of their own capacities and capabilities as a result of their work as wardens. 3. Manage the forest for future generations - 100 percent of the respondents know that they need to manage the forest for future generation.
So far, the Nug-as wardens have observed lesser forest fires (especially due to kaingin) and the absence of people shooting birds and monkeys. They claimed that their commitment is there barring failing health. They also identified the need for more trainings on identification of trees and birds (common, local, and scientific names). To give them more information on the trees, the site coordinators of the USAID-FPE project required the wardens to bring specimens of trees every monthly meeting so that they can be identified and included in their list of trees. This will be posted in their area and will serve as a source of information for everyone. BASKET There were nine respondents from BALAK who participated in the focus group discussion. The wardens in this organization were recruited by DENR in 2004 and service was purely voluntary since no honoraria were given. In 2008, they were made to attend a seminar on proper identification of birds and plants and were given binoculars for easy identification of the birds. In 2010, the LGU gave out a monthly allowance of 200 pesos. Motivation for doing forest protection work among the wardens in this organization was not based on the amount of the honoraria. They were given an orientation on forest protection before actual patrol work and were promised only minimal allowance. They expressed their desire to join the organization, not because of the monetary support but because they have begun to understand the need for forest protection (as derived from the orientation and shared by friends and relatives already doing forest protection work). Knowledge they expressed their need to know more about the kinds of birds and their scientific names in their area. They claimed that they only know half of what they need to know about the forest, wildlife and its habitat. They still need to know more especially on proper identification of trees (local, common, and scientific names). One of the USAID-FPE project strategies to help them with tree identification is to require them to bring tree specimens every meeting for them to identify with the help of the project site coordinators. Slowly, they can expand their knowledge on the names of these trees and can build an information pool within their association. In terms of self-actualization as a direct result of their work as wardens, eight out of nine wardens claimed that they have only learned from 50 to 60 percent of the total knowledge needed for personal growth and development. Trainings given by the USAID-FPE project helped the wardens significantly in both their personal development and growth as wardens. At present, they have observed that there are less forest fires and shooting of birds compared to the past years. However, they expressed the need for gears, insurance, and deputation by DENR. All these are part of the support given to the wardens through the USAID-FPE project. Profile of the Dalaguete Forest Stewards and their Perceptions on Forest Protection and Conservation There are 32 Bantay Lasang forest wardens organized by the LGU in Dalaguete. The organization is male-dominated (there is only one female member) with an average age of 42 years, mostly married (93%) with an average of five children. About 78 percent have had some elementary education while the rest have reached high school level. The main source of income for 91 percent of the wardens is farming. There were eight wardens from Dumalan, Babayongan and Bulak who participated in the focus group discussion. The LGU provided for the honorarium of the wardens initially amounting to 3,000 pesos per month but was later reduced to 1,375 pesos after two months. Recruitment was done through the office of the barangay captain. A strategy to reduce illegal cutters of trees was employed by the LGU: charcoal makers were recruited to join the Bantay Lasang to veer them away from illegal cutting of trees and provide them new sources of livelihood. It cannot be safely implied that monetary consideration was not a motivating factor in joining the Bantay Lasang. The initial offer of the LGU was higher than what was offered by the other LGUs.
In terms of Personal growth majority of the respondents claim that they have achieved only 50 % of what is needed to achieve personal growth as a direct result of the work as wardens. Their Forest knowledge can still be increased up to 30 % more to gain full knowledge about the forest. Understanding the relationship between man and forest still needs 50% to be worked on by four of the warden respondents. The other half of the respondents (4 wardens) claim that they have understood 80 % what they need to know about Man-Forest relationship. Wardens reported that lately, there has been a significant decrease in the apprehension of illegal cutters. Their last apprehension for illegal cutting was in August 2012. The wardens expressed their need for more trainings on tree identification (common, local and scientific names) and identification of animals. All respondents revealed that they have understood the benefits derived from forests but there is still room for improvement to be able to gain full knowledge of the concept.
CASE STUDY WRITER

SERENA MAE S. YBANEZ passed the 2009 Bar examinations and is currently an associate in Perez & Avanzado Law Offices in Cebu. She graduated at the University of the Philippines Los Banos with a degree in Development Communication, major in Science Communication.
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 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. In the Philippines, assistance started since 1946 focusing on economic growth, democracy and governance, health, education, environment, energy and climate change, and humanitarian assistance. For environmental governance, USAID works in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and a wide range of stakeholders including civil society organizations, to improve governance of natural resources and conserve biodiversity. Know more about USAID Philippines at 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 www.fpe.ph
CBCF was established as a result of the growing collaboration between various agencies, individuals and institutions who recognize the importance of protecting Cebus forests which host a unique biodiversity and endemic wildlife. It exists for the long-term conservation of the native and endemic species and habitats of Cebu through sustainable and acceptable protection, restoration and expansion strategies. CBCFs work started with research and data generation on Cebus biodiversity, results of which became breakthrough for Cebus natural heritage. Later on, the organizations work expanded to implementation of conservation and protection initiatives, including forest rehabilitation programs, working in collaboration and partnership with legitimate government agencies (DENR, DOT), Local Government Units, NGO, academe, Peoples Organizations and local communities. For more information about CBCF, email estelarodrguez34@yahoo.com
THE PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs

THE CASES OF TABUNAN, ALCOY, AND DALAGUETE
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 1101 Quezon City Philippines Telephone: (02) 927 2186/ 926 9629/ 927 9403 Fax: (02) 9223022
Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF)

Unit 401, Arborville Appartment Borromeo Compound 308 Jones Avenue 6000 Cebu City Philippines Telephone: (032) 415 5743

The Phases of Stewardship in Cebu&#39;s Terrestrial KBA&#39;s

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Phases of Stewardship in Cebu&#39;s Terrestrial KBA&#39;s

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs

THE PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs

GLORIA D. STEELE Mission Director, USAID/Philippines

Renato de Rueda President

The BCSD Knowledge Series of FPE

Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas

The Concept of Stewardship

Phases of Stewardship: From Users to Forest Stewards

A.Tabunan Forest, Cebu City

B. Nug-as Forest, Alcoy

RSEA Nug-as 2012 CBCF http://ecogovproject.denr.gov.ph/docs/Story_Alcoy_is_learning_stop.htm

C. Palinpinon Range, Dalaguete

RSEA Nug-as 2012 CBCF

STATING CBCFIS VISION AND MISSION

MAPPING OUT FUTURE DIRECTIONS: NEXT STEPS

ANNEX 1 FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION RESULTS WITH CEBUS FOREST GUARDS

CASE STUDY WRITER

FPE MANAGEMENT TEAM

USAID-FPE PROJECT TEAM

THE PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP IN CEBUs TERRESTRIAL KBAs

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines

Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF)

You might also like

The Phases of Stewardship in Cebu's Terrestrial KBA's

The Phases of Stewardship in Cebu's Terrestrial KBA's