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4 May 2016 Revision 3 Contract No. AID-492-C-13-00002

Year 4 Annual Work Plan

Philippine Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience

(B+WISER) Program

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc. The Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program is funded by USAID, Contract No. AID-492-C-13-00002 and managed by Chemonics International Inc. in association with:

Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) Haribon Foundation World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

Year 4 Annual Work Plan

Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program

Revision 31

Implemented with:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Other National Government Agencies

Local Government Units and Agencies

Supported by:

United States Agency for International Development Contract No.: AID-492-C-13-00002

Managed by:

Chemonics International Inc. in partnership with

Center for Conservation Innovation Haribon Foundation

World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF)

4 May 2016

1 The Year 4 Annual Work Plan was revised in order to incorporate key recommendations resulting from the external

Midterm Performance Evaluation conducted during the period of October 2015 – January 2016.

B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN | i

CONTENTS

List of Figures................................................................................................................. iii

List of Tables .................................................................................................................. iii

List of Annexes ............................................................................................................... iv

ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................... v

I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1

II. KEY PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS – Year 1 to Year 3 .................................. 5

Development of LAWIN as an innovative Forest and Biodiversity Protection System ......................................................................................................... 5

Strengthening Climate Resilience of Coastal Communities .................................... 5

Strengthening Policy and Governance for Watershed and Protected Area Management ................................................................................................. 6

Building Capacity for Biodiversity Conservation ..................................................... 6

The Continuum Towards Improved Natural Resources Management .................... 7

Incorporation of recommendations from the midterm performance evaluation ....... 8

III. PROGRAM TARGETS: LOP AND Year 4 ............................................................ 10

IV. PROGRAM STRATEGY and interventions .......................................................... 11 Primary Intervention One - Strengthen Capacity for ELE ........................................... 12 Primary Intervention Two - Support Forest Restoration .............................................. 14 Enabling Intervention One - Enhance and Harmonize Resource Management

Plans ................................................................................................................. 16 Enabling Intervention Two - Strengthen Policy and Governance ............................... 16 Enabling Intervention Three - Develop Partnerships with Public and Private

Groups .............................................................................................................. 17 Enabling Intervention Four - Support Capacity Development ..................................... 19 Enabling Intervention Five – Develop and Support PES Mechanisms and

Strategies .......................................................................................................... 20 Enabling Intervention Six - Conduct Communication Campaigns .............................. 21

Crosscutting Activities .......................................................................................... 21

Support National REDD+ and GHG Program ............................................................. 21 Research ..................................................................................................................... 22 Gender and Inclusion .................................................................................................. 22 Monitoring and Evaluation ........................................................................................... 23

V. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ............................................................... 24 Opportunities ............................................................................................................... 24

ii | B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN

Vi. SITE LEVEL STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES ..................................................... 26

VII. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ........ 27 Internal Changes ......................................................................................................... 27 Working with DENR ..................................................................................................... 29 Working with Partners ................................................................................................. 29 Communication Channels ........................................................................................... 30 Management and Staffing Structure for the Implementation of a forest and

biodiversity protection system ........................................................................... 30

VIII. CONCLUDING REMARKS .................................................................................. 31

ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................... 32

B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN | iii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. B+WISER Overall Development Hypothesis ................................................. 4

Figure 2: Stages of improving Natural Resources Management .................................. 8

Figure 3. Diagram of LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system ...................... 12

Figure 5. NSMNP - HCVA location, forest cover change vis-à-vis protected area boundaries, and location of cities and municipalities ................................... 37

Figure 6: UMRBPL/KWFR - Summary map showing HCVA location, forest cover change vis-à-vis watershed boundaries and location of municipalities ........ 42

Figure 7: Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA |boundaries and location of cities and municipalities ................................... 46

Figure 8. QAW Summary map showing conservation area location, riverbanks, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities .............................................................................................. 50

Figure 9. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities .................................... 53

Figure 10. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities .................................... 56

Figure 11. MANP Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities .............................................................................................. 60

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Midterm performance evaluation recommendations and how these were incorporated in the work plan ........................................................................ 8

Table 2. B+WISER LOP Program Targets, accomplishments for FY 2013 to 2015 and Program targets for FY 2016 to 2017. .................................................. 10

Table 3, Forest restoration initiatives supported by the Program .............................. 15

Table 4. Conservation areas, forest cover, and estimated cost of forest protection by Program site........................................................................................... 26

Table 5. Management and staffing structure specific to the implementation of the forest and biodiversity protection system .................................................... 30

Table 6. NSMNP - Conservation Area Overview ...................................................... 38

Table 7. NSMNP - Key activities by conservation area ............................................. 39

Table 8. UMRBPL/KWFR - Conservation Area Overview ......................................... 42

Table 9. UMRBPL/KWFR - Key activities by conservation area ................................ 43

Table 10: Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Conservation Area Overview .... 45

iv | B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN

Table 11. Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Key activities by conservation area ............................................................................................................ 47

Table 12. QAW - Conservation Area Overview ........................................................... 49

Table 13. QAW - Key activities by conservation area ................................................. 51

Table 14. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Conservation Area Overview ... 52

Table 15. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Key activities by conservation area ....................................................................................... 54

Table 16. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Conservation Area Overview ... 57

Table 17. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Key activities by conservation area ....................................................................................... 58

Table 18. MANP - Conservation Area Overview ......................................................... 61

Table 19. MANP - Key activities by conservation area ................................................ 62

LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex 1. National Activities ....................................................................................... 32

Annex 2. Partnerships ............................................................................................... 35

Annex 3. Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) Year 4 Work Plan ............... 37

Annex 4. Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL)/Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve (KWFR) Year 4 Work Plan ............................... 41

Annex 5. Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and Naujan Lake National Park (NLNP) year 4 Work Plan ........................................................................................ 45

Annex 6. Quinali ‘A’ Watershed (QAW) ...................................................................... 49

Annex 7. North Negros and Bago River Watershed ................................................... 52

Annex 8. Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP), and Mt. Katatungan Range Natural Park (MKaRNP) Year 4 Work Plan ................................................................................................... 56

Annex 9. Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) Year 4 Work Plan ........................................ 60

B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN | v

ACRONYMS

B+WISER Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger

Economy and Ecosystem Resilience

BMB Biodiversity Management Bureau

CCC Climate Change Commission

CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy

CDO City of Cagayan de Oro

CENRO Community Environmental and Natural Resources Office

CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan

COP Conference of Parties

CP Certification Precondition

DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development

ELE Environmental Law Enforcement

EO Executive Order

ERDB Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau

FLUP Forest Land Use Plan

FMB Forest Management Bureau

FMU Forest Management Unit

FREL Forest Reference Emissions Level

FY Fiscal Year

GHG Greenhouse Gas

GHGI Greenhouse Gas Inventory

GIZ Gesselschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

GPH Government of the Philippines

GSA Guided Self-Assessment on the State of Local Environmental

Governance

HCVA High Conservation Value Area

ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre

IPAF Integrated Protected Areas Fund

KGV Kitanglad Guard Volunteers

KWFR Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve

LGU Local Government Unit

LOP Life of Program

MANP Mount Apo Natural Park

MBFDP Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program

MENRO Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office

MERFI Mekong Region Futures Institute

METT Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool

MKNP Mount Kanlaon Natural Park

MKRNP Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park

MMWFR Mount Masaraga Watershed Forest Reserve

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MRV Measurement, Reporting and Verification

MVNP Mayon Volcano Natural Park

NCIP National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

NGP National Greening Program

NLNP Naujan Lake National Park

vi | B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN

NNNP North Negros Natural Park

NRM Natural Resources Management

NSMNP Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park

PAMB Protected Area Management Board

PAMP Protected Area Management Plan

PASu Protected Area Superintendent

PBSAP Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

PCU Project Coordinating Unit

PENRO Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office

PES Payment for Ecosystem Services

PLGU Provincial Local Government Unit

PNP Philippine National Police

PPP Public-Private Partnership

PTFCF Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation

QAW Quinali “A” Watershed

QGIS Quantum Geographic Information System

REDD+ Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the

Role of Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests, and

Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks in Developing Countries

SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool

ToC Theory of Change

TWG Technical Working Group

UMRBPL Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USFS U.S. Forest Service

WMC Watershed Management Council

B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN | 1

I. INTRODUCTION

The Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem

Resilience (B+WISER) Program broadly contributes to the Government of the Philippines

(GPH)-U.S. Partnership for Growth and United States Agency for International Development

(USAID) Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for the Philippines by focusing on

inclusive and broad-based economic growth and sustainable ecosystem services.

The B+WISER Program prioritizes four intermediate results that complement the GPH’s

environmental policies and programs and the CDCS development objective three: Environmental

resilience improved. These IRs include: conservation of biodiversity in forest areas; reduction of

forest degradation in priority watersheds; and enhanced capacity to conserve biodiversity, manage

forests, and monitor low emissions development; and increased capacity for disaster management

in highly vulnerable areas.

B+WISER undertakes activities at two levels: national and sub-national (or site level). At the

conclusion of the B+WISER Program, results will include: 1) improved management and

governance of 780,000 hectares (ha) of key biodiversity areas and their associated watersheds; 2)

78,000 ha of terrestrial and mangrove forests under restoration initiatives; 3) 5.34 million metric

tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) (in CO2 equivalent) sequestered or reduced after the life of the

Program (LOP); and 4) $5 million leveraged from public and private sources. A key approach

that will help the program to achieve these results is the LAWIN forest and biodiversity

protection system. LAWIN combines user-friendly technologies and landscape/ecosystem-based

approaches to empower local communities and authorities to avoid deforestation and further

degradation of natural forests and conserve biodiversity in these areas. LAWIN starts with

integrated scientific assessments of local ecology, biodiversity, socio-economics, and other

parameters to define high conservation value forest areas. From this DENR develops a system of

regular patrolling by government teams or—through partnerships—by local indigenous

communities or private companies to record threats to these areas via smart phone or tablet

application. These threats are addressed through enhanced enforcement actions, or over the longer

term, reduced by developing alternative livelihoods. The LAWIN system also records data on

wildlife indicator species for healthy forests to determine how the forest ecosystem is responding

to management interventions.

During Year 4, the Program will achieve the following results through interventions at the

national and sub-national levels:

Increase areas under improved natural resources management by 299,668 ha by

enhancing resource management plans, implementing forest management unit (FMU) plans,

developing capacity, and scaling-up a forest and biodiversity protection system. This will

result in carbon emission avoidance estimated at the equivalent of 1.8 million tons of CO2.

Key interventions include:

Identify conservation areas within each high conservation value area (HCVA) using

ecological assessments and prioritizing critical ecosystem services

Apply locally adapted, user-friendly, tablet-based technology in monitoring of t changes

in forest conditions and encroachment and train data managers to analyze monitoring data

and develop actionable reports for the attention of local decision-makers

2 | B+WISER | YEAR 4 ANNUAL WORK PLAN

Form public-private partnerships to support the process of scaling-up conservation

initiatives in order to reverse deforestation and forest degradation trends.

Forge commitments with local decision-makers to ensure prompt response to threats to

forest and biodiversity conservation by demonstrating the potential of LAWIN in

conserving forests and the benefits that this will bring to local communities and helping

them draft and pass executive orders to institutionalize the system

Build capacity of local organizations and stakeholders in the areas of biodiversity

monitoring and environmental law enforcement (ELE)

Support 41,000 ha of areas with forest restoration initiatives. Specifically, the key

interventions area:

Provide technical assistance to the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program

(MBFDP) implemented by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB)

in the continuing monitoring and evaluation of the program.

Support the establishment and implementation of the FMU approach to terrestrial forest

areas, which targets restoration areas for specific ecosystem services

Support post-National Greening Program (NGP) restoration programs

Leverage $478,000 to support forest restoration, scaling up of LAWIN and enhancing the

climate resilience of communities in priority Program sites. Key interventions include:

Explore partnerships with private companies to support the scale up of LAWIN

Assist local government units (LGU) in establishing Payment for Ecosystem Services

(PES) mechanisms to support forest and biodiversity protection

Discuss with DENR incorporation of funding for LAWIN in their regular budget.

Increase economic benefits for 9,700 persons. Key interventions include:

Generate employment opportunities based on forest restoration, monitoring, and

protection activities, as well as the development of ecotourism, and other livelihoods.

Support Bago City’s ordinance on PES and the new procedures for retaining locally-

generated funds for the Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) that will generate

increased revenue managing protected areas and incentivize communities who will be

paid and mobilized to carry out forest protection activities .

This Year 4 work plan presents the specific B+WISER activities for 2016-2017 that will support

the achievement of the life of project objectives and targets, in accordance with the Program’s

development hypothesis (theory of change – ToC) and 12 performance indicators. The Program’s

results framework has been incorporated in a ToC overall development hypothesis map as shown

in Figure 1. There are eight program interventions categorized into two types:

Primary interventions – directly contribute towards abating pressures such as 1]

strengthening ELE activities that directly contribute towards abating pressures and, 2]

supporting forest restoration initiatives that directly contribute towards enhancing the

viability of a biodiversity target.

Enabling interventions – allow stakeholders to carry out the primary interventions more

effectively, and include: 1] preparing/enhancing resource management plans,

2] strengthening policy and governance, 3] developing partnerships with public and

private sectors, 4] supporting capacity development, 5] developing and supporting PES

mechanisms and strategies, and 6] conducting communication campaigns.


The Program also conducts cross cutting activities to support national Reduced Emissions from

Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) and Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI)

programs, mainstreaming gender and inclusion, and conducting monitoring and evaluation.

As is customary, the work plan has been informed by a consultative and iterative process

involving the Program’s key Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

partners, as well as by the realities on the ground at the Program’s priority sites.


Figure 1. B+WISER Overall Development Hypothesis


II. KEY PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS – YEAR 1 TO YEAR 3

During Year 3, the Program achieved significant accomplishments in the following areas:

1. Development of LAWIN as an innovative forest and biodiversity protection system

2. Strengthening climate resilience of coastal communities

3. Strengthening policy and governance for watershed and protected area management

4. Building capacity in biodiversity conservation

DEVELOPMENT OF LAWIN AS AN INNOVATIVE FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

SYSTEM The program developed an innovative forest and biodiversity protection system for the

Philippines, called LAWIN, which hinges on science-based assessments of ecological parameters

and forest cover change. By using available technology, LAWIN provides an interface for

biodiversity, threat monitoring, and ELE response mechanisms. Through implementation of the

system, there is an emphasis on partnerships between communities, government, and the private

sector. The integrated platform is used for biodiversity and threat data collection, data analysis

and reporting, and response monitoring of interventions used to address threats. It is based on free

and open source software for to design conservation areas (Quantum Geographic Information

System [QGIS]), records observations (CyberTracker), and analyzes and reports spatial

distribution and trends (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool [SMART]).

During the first three years of implementing this innovation, the Program has achieved the

following performance results:

Placed 287,342 hectares under improved natural resource management;

Identified 35 conservation areas within its priority sites and established forest and

biodiversity protection systems in 16 of the 35; and

Initiated passive restoration in 17,026 hectares of recently degraded forests in the

conservation areas where forest and biodiversity protection systems have been piloted.

STRENGTHENING CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES At request of the GPH, the Program assessed mangrove damage in the aftermath of Typhoon

Haiyan (Yolanda). The DENR then used the assessment results to justify the allocation of PhP 1

billion from the government’s disaster risk reduction and management funds for a new

MBFDP. The MBFDP, approved in February 2014, was a drastic response by the GPH to

improve coastal community resilience to climate change and provide additional income to

affected communities.

The Program supported the formulation of technical guidelines to implement the MBFDP,

focusing on rehabilitation of 50,000 hectares of degraded coastal forest ecosystems. The

guidelines facilitated the release of funds for implementation in March 2015. Over the last year,

the Program continued to support MBFDP implementation by providing technical

recommendations on the suitability of selected sites and species to be planted.

As of the end of September 2015, the MBFDP had planted approximately 35,000 hectares of

beach and mangrove areas to build coastal community resilience to the impacts of climate

change, benefitting at least 12,500 people engaged in rehabilitation activities. Through the

MBFDP, the Program leveraged $22 million, which represents four times the LOP target. The


Program also facilitated the formulation and approval of the comprehensive management and

development plan for the Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest, forging strong public and

private partnership to achieve sustainability.

STRENGTHENING POLICY AND GOVERNANCE FOR WATERSHED AND PROTECTED AREA

MANAGEMENT During the first three years of Program implementation, 88 laws, policies, strategies, plans, or

regulations have been officially proposed, adopted, or implemented to address biodiversity

conservation and/or sustainable landscape practices. For example:

At the national level, B+WISER supported

DENR and the Department of Budget and

Management to formulate implementation

guidelines for Republic Act 10629, which was

approved in 2014 and allows protected areas to

retain 75% of accrued revenues.

The Program also supported the National Law

Enforcement Committee in preparing the 2015-

2019 national roadmap for strengthening ELE in

the Philippines.

As an input to the National Protected Area

System Master Plan, the Program completed

a study on the laws and policies that influence

both the establishment of a comprehensive and

representative protect areas network, and the

effective management and governance of the

protected areas system.

At the sub-national level, the Program led

Protected Area Management Boards (PAMB) and

local government units (LGUs) across the seven

sites in analyzing the gaps in existing

environment and natural resource management-related resolutions and ordinances.

The Program also advocated for strengthening support to biodiversity conservation,

protected area management, forest protection, rehabilitation, and improving ecosystem

and community resilience against climate change impacts.

B+WISER also supported Mount Apo Natural Park LGUs in the formulation and

implementation of a Common Trekking Policy to support sustainable ecotourism

development in the region.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION During the first three years of Program implementation, capacity development efforts have

established the foundation for implementation of LAWIN and aimed at promoting biodiversity

conservation in forest lands and strengthening watershed resilience within the Program priority

sites. Local and national partners, including DENR, the Philippine National Police (PNP), LGUs,

PAMBs, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), community-based

organizations, and IP groups, have all benefited from the significant capacity development effort

conducted by the Program.

In total, 5,939 individuals from local and national stakeholder organizations have received 88,314

person-hours of capacity development of training. Of these, 1,920 female attendants have been

Fostering Improved Governance

B+WISER efforts in the policy and governance area have focused on: a) Supporting DENR in the harmonization

and improvement of policies and management plans to strengthen biodiversity conservation in forest lands.

b) Supporting DENR, PAMBs and LGUs in developing sound policies and improved management plans for protected areas within the Program’s priority sites.

c) Facilitating the implementation of policies to allow protected areas to retain 75% of their locally generated revenues.

d) Supporting the harmonization of policies and procedures regarding environmental law enforcement in the Philippines.


trained through 26,790 person-hours of training, representing 32% of all capacity development

trainings.

Sixty percent of the capacity development effort has focused on developing the skills of local

communities and strengthening the capacity of local and national level organizations to improve

biodiversity conservation and natural resources management practices within the Program priority

sites. Key outcomes include:

1,689 individuals trained through 34,059 person-hours on LAWIN, including biodiversity

assessment and monitoring, data management, and ELE. As a result of this training,

community patrolling has occurred in 18 conservation areas (as of December 2015),

community enforcers better understand their role, and Kitanglad Guard Volunteers

(KGVs) in Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) can identify violations,

gather evidence, and report threats. Additionally, DENR and other B+WISER-trained

patrollers confiscated illegally cut logs in MKRNP and KGVs renewed their deputation.

39 (25 males; 14 females) data managers coached in the application of QGIS and

SMART and 223 (186 males; 37 females) forest guards trained to use the CyberTracker

app in 16 conservation areas in six sites, who are not serving as biodiversity and threats

monitor and data managers in their respective areas.

1,691 individuals from DENR, LGUs, PAMBs, and local organizations have been trained

on the management effectiveness tracking tool (METT), guided self-assessment (GSA),

and improved management plans through 15,088 person-hours of training.

441 local organization representatives trained through 6,773 person-hours on sustainable

finance and ecotourism.

Forty percent of the capacity development efforts focused on fostering sustainable landscapes and

improving resilience to climate change. Key outcomes include the following:

1,152 individuals from local organizations trained on forest restoration through 14,552

person-hours.

330 technicians from local and national organizations trained on climate smart practices,

GHGI, carbon stock assessment, and riverbank stabilization techniques though 6,932

person-hours.

197 technicians from local and national organizations trained in remote

sensing/Geographic Information System and forest land use planning (FLUP) through

4,574 person-hours

B+WISER also supported local and national stakeholders through cross-cutting activities

covering behavior change communications, gender and inclusion, and grant writing to leverage

additional funds. Through these activities, 439 individuals have been trained through 6,336

person-hours.

THE CONTINUUM TOWARDS IMPROVED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Figure 2 below shows the stages of the continuum of improved natural resources management for

a program site. At the end of year three of program implementation, B+WISER has achieved the

conditions included in “Stage 1: Design and planning phase.” Several of the conditions included

in “Stage 2: Capacity building phase” have also been met, as explained in the previous section,

though further assistance is still required on the LAWIN system for data managers in areas such

as data management, analysis, report generation, and for resource managers to ensure timely

responses to address observed threats and to monitor the response of the ecosystem to the

improved management approach.


Strategies and activities included in the Year 4 work plan aim to address the conditions included

in “Stage 3: Institutionalization phase.” While many of these conditions are interrelated, the

successful implementation of any of these conditions will confirm that the specific site has been

placed under improved natural resources management.

Figure 2: Stages of improving Natural Resources Management

INCORPORATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE MIDTERM PERFORMANCE

EVALUATION USAID commissioned an external midterm performance evaluation for the program from

October 2015 through January 2016. Table 1 below enumerates the key recommendations of the

performance review, brief description of how the recommendations where incorporated in the

work plan, specific sections where these are located.

Table 1. Midterm performance evaluation recommendations and how these were

incorporated in the work plan

No. Midterm Performance Evaluation

Recommendations How incorporated in the work plan Specific sections in the

work plan where recommendations were incorporated

1 Speed up formulation of enforcement plans

The work plan integrated a protocol for responding to observed threats through ELE in LAWIN. The formulation of enforcement plans will be informed by this protocol and therefore can be done more easily and in line with the overall DENR enforcement strategy.

Page 8, Figure 2, Stage 3, Institutionalization phase; Page 10, Figure 3 (response)

• Science-based assessments are conducted• Conservation area has been designed (boundaries set, patrol sectors and indicator species identified)• Conservation targets and desired future forest condition based on ecosystem services has been discussed

and agreed• Strategies and activities to achieve desired future condition has been drafted• Required resources to implement strategies have been estimated• The above have been packaged into a conservation plan or an Forest Management Unit (FMU) plan and

incorporated in the existing resource management plan of the protected area or watershed and the concerned LGUs and IP groups;

Stage 1: Design and

planning phase

• Roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the implementation of strategies and activities identified above has been discussed and agreed

• Patrollers have been trained in using CyberTracker app for recording observations on biodiversity, threats and responses

• Data managers have been coached in using CyberTracker, Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) and Quantum GIS to design conservation areas

• Law enforcement groups have been trained in responding and addressing observed threats• Resource managers (local decision makers) have been trained in addressing observed threats through

timely responses

Stage 2: Capacity building

phase

• Patrol runs have become a routine, being done at least monthly depending on the severity and magnitude of the threats

• Production of quarterly or monthly reports for resource managers is regularly done• Response mechanism for addressing observed threats through various means is in place• Budget for the above activities has been institutionalized through sustainable financing schemes.• Adaptive management informed by the results of the preceding activities is being done at the protected

area or higher levels

Stage 3: Institution-alization

phase


2 Clearly identify the responsible center for recording, maintaining, and reporting of ELE results.

In line with the above, the work plan intends to get the LAWIN technical bulletin signed by FMB and BMB. If this happens, the responsibility of recording, maintaining and reporting ELE results will fall with the Enforcement Divisions of the CENROs that the project is working with.

Page 28, Paragraph 5; Page 31 in the gantt chart on supporting forest restoration

3 Further enrich the knowledge and skills of bantay gubat groups in using tablet-based CyberTracker app.

The work plan includes activities for the continuation of training and coaching activities for the bantay gubat groups and forest rangers.

Page 18, Paragraph 3

4 Increase funding support for ELE. The work plan intends to get the LAWIN technical bulletin jointly signed by FMB and BMB. If this happens, DENR will allocate more funding for ELE-related activities.

Page 14, Paragraph 2

5 Enhance the capacity of PAMBs and LGUs for environmental management.

The work plan includes activities to help FMB and BMB in a capacity development program to enhance the capacity of DENR personnel who are now working together under a functional (rather than sectoral) structure to implement LAWIN. A functional structure means that DENR forest rangers will also be responsible for patrolling with protected areas.

Page 18, whole section on capacity development

6 Implement more livelihood projects to reduce threats on forest resources.

The work plan's main approach to livelihoods is to ensure that community patrollers who participate in LAWIN patrolling to protect forests are compensated for their efforts. The work plan, however, includes exploring livelihood alternatives that could be supported by the private sector.

Pages 2, 10, 14, 16 and 17 discussing role private sector in supporting LAWIN

7 Enhance existing and engage more in PPP arrangements for forest restoration and biodiversity conservation activities.

The work plan includes activities to engage the private sector to support LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection systems in identified conservation areas.

Pages 2, 10, 14, 16 and 17 discussing role private sector in supporting LAWIN

8 In Evaluation Question 2, disaggregate the measurement of forest cover loss into: (i) area of forest degradation (e.g., forest cover conversion from closed canopy to open canopy) and (ii) area deforested (e.g., forest cover conversion from closed/open canopy to kaingin/grassland

The work plan includes activities related to the formulation of measurable conservation targets for areas with natural forests where LAWIN will be implemented. This process is based on forest cover analysis where data is disaggregated into deforestation or forest loss and forest degradation.

Page 8, Figure 2, Stage 1, Design and Planning phase; first steps in the site level gantt charts

9 Include new performance indicators such as number of resource users engaged in biodiversity conservation and forest protection activities, and amount of funding allocated and spent for project plans/activities to further substantiate the evaluability of Evaluation Questions 7 and 11, respectively.

The Program already tracks the number of people engaged in forest protection through LAWIN that is reflected in the work plan. The program is also monitoring the amount of funding allocated and spent for activities to address threats (such as leveraged investments) that are included in the work plan.

Pages 8 and 8, on performance targets; Page 8, Figure 2, Stage 2, Capacity Development Phase; Page 18, last paragraph; Page 32, section on support capacity development

10 Use U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data or free remote sensing data sets

For the computation of carbon benefits from activities in the work plan, the program uses the USAID AFOLU carbon calculator. The Program will use USGS data as appropriate, if needed.

Page 9, Table 1, performance targets for carbon benefits


III. PROGRAM TARGETS: LOP AND YEAR 4

The LOP targets, accomplishments for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 to 2015 and the Program targets for

FY 2016 and 2017 are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. B+WISER LOP Program Targets, accomplishments for FY 2013 to 2015 and Program targets for FY 2016 to 2017.

# Indicators LOP

Target

Cumulative Results

Targets Total

% achieved to date FY 2013-15 FY 2016 FY 2017

1 Number of hectares under improved natural resources management (biodiversity)

780,000 287,340 299,760 192,900 780,000 37%

2 Number of hectares showing improved biophysical conditions

580,000 - - 580,000 580,000 n/a

3

Number of laws, policies, strategies, plans, agreements, or regulations addressing biodiversity conservation officially proposed, adopted or implemented

59 88 13 - 101 149%

4 Number of biodiversity conservation -related research publications and technical papers produced

10 7 3 - 10 70%

5 Number of hectares of forest under forest restoration initiatives

78,000 28,420 41,000 8,580 78,000 36%

6 Amount of CO2 equivalent reduced and/or sequestered in metric tons

5,350,278 2,768,958 1,870,000 2,370,000 7,008,958 52%

7 Amount in USD of investments leveraged from public and private sources – biodiversity conservation

5,101,517 23,385,446 478,000 478,000 24,341,446 458%

8

Number of people with increased economic benefits derived from natural resource management (NRM) and conservation as a result of USG assistance

29,000 13,800 9,700 5,500 29,000 48%

9a Number of PAMBs with increases in METT scores

10 - 5 5 10 n/a

9b Number of LGUs with increases in GSA scores

29 - 13 16 29 n/a

10 Number of person hours of training in NRM/BD and climate change

90,000 88,314 11,000 2,750 102,064 98%

11 Number of days of technical assistance in NRM/BD and climate change

2,000 2,004 400 260 2,084 100%

12 Number of institutions with improved capacity to address climate change issues as a result of USG assistance

20 7 7 6 20 70%


IV. PROGRAM STRATEGY AND INTERVENTIONS

Effective biodiversity conservation must consider ecosystem functions, such as habitats for

endangered species, as well as ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating especially those

related to climate, supporting and cultural services) that landscapes are expected to deliver. In

order to be effective, a conservation strategy must be comprehensive and improve the capacity of

resource managers, employ communication campaigns, develop alternative livelihoods for forest

communities, forge strong partnerships between local and national stakeholders, and strengthen

forest protection system.

The Program will work with DENR and LGUs to improve

the management of biologically significant areas by

identifying HCVAs (see Box) and focusing conservation

efforts in those areas. To improve the manageability of the

often large HCVAs, the Program delineates specific

conservation sub-units that are then targeted for specific

interventions. To guide these interventions, the Program and

DENR formulate measurable targets that are based on the

desired future condition of each. Targets may include

hectares of maintained or improved forest cover or

increased population of specific endangered species.

Figure 3 below provides a graphical representation of

LAWIN. Starting from a situation of a degraded ecosystem

condition (right lower side), caused by high level of threats

(left side) such as wildlife poaching, charcoal making,

illegal logging and slash and burn farming activities, the

LAWIN system aims for an improved ecosystem condition for a given conservation area.

Through patrol-driven data collection and information management employing user friendly

technologies, the system facilitates timely and coordinated responses to environmental threats that

include ELE, creation and promotion of alternative livelihoods, and behavior change

communication campaigns and policy initiatives. As threats decrease over time, the desired future

forest conditions are achieved resulting in improved ecosystem condition.

Determining HCVAs in B+WISER Sites HCV 1: Concentrations of biological diversity including endemic species, and rare, threatened, or endangered species that are significant at global, regional, or national levels. HCV 2: Large landscape level ecosystems and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global, regional, or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of naturally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution or abundance. HCV 3: Rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems, habitat, or refugia.


Figure 3. Diagram of LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system

To more effectively prevent and address environmental threats, communities, governments, and

the private sector will have to form partnerships. Therefore, the Program aims to integrate the

components described above in the plans and activities of the DENR, PAMB, Protected Area

Superintendent (PASu), the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of

LGUs, and IP groups. Some of these activities would include establishment of PES mechanisms.

Strengthening the policy and governance framework will help integrate Program activities into

the planning and budgeting processes of DENR and LGUs, ensuring their sustainability beyond

the life of the project. The Program will ensure that the principles of gender and inclusion are

adhered to throughout the program interventions and communication campaigns will ensure the

visibility of Program initiatives.

The specific activities planned under the two primary and eight enabling interventions during the

Year 4 are discussed below. Annex 1 presents the Gantt chart and schedule for national level

activities. The detailed conservation strategies and site level work plans with corresponding site

Gantt charts follow.

Primary Intervention One - Strengthen Capacity for ELE

ELE is a key element to address threats. Improving ELE leads to a reduction in violations and

threats, which in turn reduces pressures on the natural forest. The Program will continue to work

at both the national and site level to strengthen ELE. Specific activities to be undertaken include:

Forestry Law Enforcement Manual of Operations

At the national level, the Program will continue to work closely with the National Environmental

Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee – Subcommittee on Environment and Natural


Resources in order to finalize the manual. This will entail meetings to review drafts and the

incorporation of revisions in the final draft.

2015-2019 National Roadmap for Strengthening Environmental Law Enforcement B+WISER will continue to support implementation of the roadmap in the seven Program sites

through the development and standardization of written ELE protocols and in coaching and

training of multi-sectoral groups of enforcers.

Protected areas ELE handbook

The Program will continue to collaborate with DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB)

to finalize and publish the handbook. This activity is dependent on the passage of the Expanded

National Protected Areas System Bill.

Capacity development assistance to key partners

B+WISER will continue to provide selective assistance to partners such as DENR, PNP, LGUs,

PAMBs, and other stakeholders through methods such as train-the-trainers and coaching. During

2016 the Program will re-measure METT and GSA scores to assess the management

effectiveness achieved through the implementation of the action plans developed during the

baseline assessment in 2014. The comparison of the new scores with the baseline results is

needed to show changes in management effectiveness of protected areas and environmental

governance practices of LGUs across priority sites.

At the site level, the Program will continue to work with local stakeholders and decision-makers

in the scaling-up LAWIN. The Program will continue to assist local stakeholders and decision

makers to implement their site-level ELE plans. The focus of these plans is to address identified

threats to natural forests and biodiversity in the conservation areas.

The Program will coordinate with the non-governmental organization Tanim Kalikasan to

implement their Green Shield project, which B+WISER helped them to design, in the Kaliwa

Watershed Forest Reserve (KWFR) site. This project is being financed through a grant by the

Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (PTFCF) and showcases an integrated tri-defense

(3D) approach to ELE. The approach comprises three types of interlocking defenses: a)

biophysical - using tree markers to demarcate conservation areas, b) social - empowering law-

compliant communities as forest and biodiversity protectors, and c) perimeter - patrolling to

protect high conservation value areas. Likewise, B+WISER will work with other local

organizations to leverage available third parties funds for projects that have synergies with on-

going Program activities.

Train prosecutors and green court judges

The Program will train protected area prosecutors and green court judges, including single sala2

courts, across the seven sites on ELE. This activity, to be coordinated with the U.S. Department

of Interior and Philippine Judicial Academy, aims to create familiarity with environmental crimes

procedures and strengthen the performance of responsibilities from detection to sentencing

among ELE participants within the same operational area. The Program will coordinate with the

Department of the Interior and Local Government to provide ELE training to newly elected and

appointed LGU officials who will request for this. The Program will also continue to respond to

additional training requests coming from the priority sites.

2 Single sala courts are first level courts with a judge covering only one municipality.


Primary Intervention Two - Support Forest Restoration

Forest landscape restoration

The Program will continue to promote the forest landscape restoration

approach, which advocates the restoration, management, and balance of

forest ecosystem functions across landscapes. The Program will continue

to assist local communities to establish FMUs and formulate management

plans for these. The FMU plans focus on threat reduction through

improved protection, applying the concept of ‘passive restoration’ (See

Box). The Program will continue to support ‘active restoration’ aimed at

establishing forests in areas that were deforested in the past.

Year 4 site level work will focus on the establishment and

implementation of FMU plans in degraded natural forests to facilitate passive restoration by

establishing the forest and biodiversity protection system in the various conservation areas.

Through the application of this approach, the Program expects to achieve major portions of its

restoration targets in Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP), Mount Apo Natural Park,

Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, North Negros Natural Park (NNNP), Naujan Lake National Park

(NLNP), Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) and KWFR and

MKRNP. The forest and biodiversity protection system is expected to reduce threats that in turn

would allow the regeneration of degraded forests in these areas.

National Greening Program

The Program will continue to support the National Greening Program (NGP) by linking it with

the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4P) of the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) so that 4P beneficiaries are paid and trained to maintain and protect NGP

areas. Other support to the NGP includes technical assistance and training on riverbank

stabilization in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

MBFDP

The Program will continue to support the MBFDP of the DENR by providing technical

recommendations for sound rehabilitation and management of coastal forest ecosystems, building

capacity of stakeholders in mangrove and beach forest restoration and management, and

strengthening capacities of DENR in monitoring rehabilitation of coastal forest ecosystems. The

continued monitoring of MBFDP will be supported through the development and implementation

of an app for recording data and management in collaboration with DENR/ERDB.

Riverbank Stabilization Program

B+WISER will continue to support the Riverbank Stabilization Program and Barangay Forest

Program in Quinali ‘A’ Watershed (QAW). The support will focus on improving monitoring of

restoration sites through the development and application of monitoring technology. Table 3

shows the achievements and targets of forest restoration initiatives supported by the Program. For

the next two years, the Program expects to support forest restoration initiatives in 59,000 ha.

Policy Work

The implementation of the site-level restoration support interventions is complemented by

national level interventions focusing on policy work. Specific support at the national level

includes the drafting of technical bulletins on the integration of the forest landscape approach into

national forest restoration and management programs. The Program will support the drafting of

Implementing Rules and Regulations for Executive Order 193, which extended and expanded the

NGP, if requested by Forest Management Bureau (FMB). The assistance will support DENR on


the development of national level concepts that facilitate private sector investments in forest

restoration and protection through carbon off-setting mechanisms. The Program will also support

the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) Secretariat in the finalization of

the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan of the BMB.

LAWIN

Decision makers need up-to-date data on environmental pressures and changes in biodiversity to

take action to stop deforestation and degradation, improve conservation, and to verify the

effectiveness of conservation programs. To meet this need, B+WISER developed LAWIN, that

combines user-friendly technology and landscape/ecosystem-based approaches to allow forest

patrollers to record observed threats, illegal activity, habitat conditions, and indicator species. The

monitoring results, which also track the number of patrollers, distance covered, and hours spent

patrolling, are then regularly mapped and reported to LGU and PAMB resource managers and

environmental law enforcers. This provides the data necessary to determine what interventions

are necessary and whether current interventions effective. In Year 4, B+WISER will mainstream

the forest and biodiversity protection system in all Program sites and support the DENR in

adopting this innovation as an approach to biodiversity conservation.

To fully operationalize LAWIN, the regular budget from DENR needs to be complemented with

funding from LGUs and sustainable finance activities through public-private partnerships (PPP)

and PES arrangements to support both the technology and operational costs of implementing the

forest and biodiversity protection system across the Program priority sites. .

Table 3, Forest restoration initiatives supported by the Program

Approach Type of intervention Achieved Year 4 Total

(in ha)

Passive restoration

Establish FMUs congruent with conservation areas and facilitate improved protection with focus on degraded forest areas

17,058 28,942 46,000

Active restoration

Establish FMUs for demonstration and facilitate the partnership of DSWD with DENR for improved maintenance and protection of NGP areas

1,117 3,883 5,000

Support the riverbank stabilization program, Barangay Forestry Program and other local LGU based reforestation initiatives through the establishment of FMUs and technical advisory

1,581 419 2,000

Support the MBFDP in technical program design, site validation and monitoring of implementation

8,665 16,335 25,000

Total 28,421 49,579 78,000


Enabling Intervention One - Enhance and Harmonize Resource Management Plans

During Year 4, the Program will continue to provide technical support to the BMB to prepare

updated guidelines and training modules to improve protected area management plans and

integrate these plans with other pertinent plans such as LGU Comprehensive Land Use Plans

(CLUPs).

At the site level, the Program will continue to support the enhancement of protected area

management plans in two ways:

Enhance management plans to incorporate results of the biodiversity, climate vulnerability and

other assessments conducted by B+WISER and to formulate conservation objectives and

management interventions. The Program will work in close collaboration with DENR and PAMB

technical working groups (TWGs), particularly in NSMNP and Mount Kanlaon Natural Park

(MKNP) in Bago Watershed site. Protected areas with expiring management plans will be

assisted in writing new plans. Those with plans that are not yet expiring will be helped in

enhancing their plans by adding an addendum presented to the PAMB for approval through a

resolution. The addendums include conservation strategies with conservation targets and FMU

plans formulated at the sites.

In addition to the enhancement of protected area management plans, the Program will support

some LGUs to prepare and/or implement their FLUPs. This will require explicit agreement

between DENR and the LGUs to work together to address extant threats to HCVAs outside of

protected areas by institutionalizing conservation area/FMU plans and LAWIN.

The Program will also help LGUs integrate mitigation actions into their CLUPs to reduce risks

identified by the completed Watershed Vulnerability Assessment. This integration builds on

relevant capacity building on climate smart planning done in 2014. This will better prepare the

LGU watershed management councils to address the climate change issues At least one CLUP

per site, where a Vulnerability Assessment was conducted, will be updated which includes

NSMNP, QAW, Bago Watershed, and MKNRP/Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Enabling Intervention Two - Strengthen Policy and Governance

B+WISER, together with national and field partners, will continue to improve policy and

governance to support the conservation and rehabilitation of forests and biodiversity in order to

improve ecosystem resilience and community welfare.

At the national level, B+WISER will:

Support policy and national planning priority initiatives of FMB, BMB, PAMBs and LGUs

that pertain to forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, ELE, community livelihood, and

reducing vulnerabilities to climate change and natural disasters by providing technical assistance

in formulation of policies and plans.

Conduct a National Policy Forum on People Inside Protected Areas to allow for a discussion

of issues, threats, challenges, opportunities, and recommendations pertaining to

settlement, population growth, and impacts of human activities within protected to come up with

sound policy proposals to address this escalating threat to biodiversity. This is an identified

priority issue for BMB.


At the local level, B+WISER will:

Assist PAMBs to update their operations manuals based on the Handbook of Protected Areas

Manual of Operations, which the Program helped refine and finalize. The updates will focus on

incorporation of good governance principles and description of the functional relationship

between PAMBs and DENR units, process for Annual Work and Financial Planning from PA

Management Planning, and performance evaluation of PA staff that is separate from monitoring

and evaluation.

Assist Mount Masaraga Watershed Forest Reserve (MMWFR) to establish and Mayon

Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) to access their respective IPAFs to fund conservation

initiatives aligned with the Program’s approach.

Strengthen Watershed Management Councils of Bago Watershed and QAW and other

alliance-building and networking activities by providing technical support in forest protection and

restoration as part of the action plan developed during the State of the Local Watershed

Governance Report.

Provide technical assistance to develop local policies (e.g., PAMB regulations, LGU

ordinance) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to support Program initiatives. These

inlcude forest restoration, threats reduction, enhancement of protected areas management plans,

and integration with local resource management plans and sustainable financing. The Program

will continue to support the finalization of the PES ordinance for Bago City and initiate similar

schemes in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Provide technical assistance to DENR to develop a domestic voluntary carbon offset market

for the Philippines that will support the conservation for forest. The approach calls for

establishing a mechanism through which Philippine private sector could offset their carbon

emission by supporting forestry-based offset projects aimed at conservation/protection of natural

forests and reforestation activities The study is currently under development in close

consultations with DENR.

Measure METT and GSA scores and compare with the baseline scores in order to note

improvements in management effectiveness of protected areas and improvement in governance of

LGUs across priority sites. Good environmental governance practices of LGUs such as Tanay,

Bago City, Maconacon, Manolo Fortich and Malaybalay will be documented and developed into

success stories.

Enabling Intervention Three - Develop Partnerships with Public and Private Groups

Partnerships will take on an even more important role during the last two years of

implementation. Efforts will shift to mainstream the Program’s approach to biodiversity and

forest conservation across the seven priority sites, laying down the foundation for the Program’s

sustainability. Accordingly, the Program will work with DENR, LGUs, and private sector

partners. With the latter the Program will find common ground on why it makes business sense

for them to partner with the program, DENR and the LGUs in conserving forest and biodiversity.

Leveraging public and private sector partner resources and skills is an essential element of

B+WISER’s success. Accordingly, two full time staff, supported by selective local short-term

technical assistance will be dedicated to this effort during Year 4. The Program expects to


leverage some $1 million from partners during Year 4 to support the Program’s objectives and

goals, at least 30% of which is expected to come from partnerships with private sector

organizations in the form of PPPs. B+WISER anticipates leveraging a significant amount by

mainstreaming Program innovations into the DENR budget at the regional level and garnering

LGU commitment within the Program’s priority sites.

Partnerships will include:

Technology firms. At the national level, the Program will seek support from technology firms

operating in the Philippines, including telecommunications firms such as Globe, Smart and

Cosmic Technologies. Through these partnerships, these firms could improve the “uniqueness”

and visibility of their brands as they associate themselves with national-level efforts to improve

conservation and protection of natural forests and reversed deforestation. These partnerships are

critical to: a] Secure data transmittal capacity for monitoring information from the field to data

management stations, located at the DENR PASu offices or a given LGU at the local/regional

level or the BMB at the national level, and b] Facilitate the procurement of additional smart

tablets and/or phones to accelerate the scale-up process of LAWIN.

Other private sector firms and organizations. The Program will actively seek partnerships with

private sector firms and organizations both at the national and regional levels through a wide

range of tools and schemes. Key potential partners at the national level include ABS-CBN,

Philippines Business for Environment, Coca-Cola Foundation, and Nestle. At the local and

regional level potential partners include Energy Development Corporation and Hydroelectric

Development Corporation for Mt. Apo; CDO-Water District for Mt. Kitanglad; and Bacolod City

Water District for Bago. These partnerships are critical to: a] Support B+WISER’s work in forest

restoration and further expand the LAWIN and ELE activities, b] Increase awareness on

biodiversity conservation in forest lands, and c] Establish successful and sustainable PES

schemes to ensure that local communities and IP groups participating in the biodiversity and

forest monitoring and protection activities are adequately compensated for the ecological

services.

DENR and LGUs. The estimated recurrent cost to cover the entire Program’s areas within the

seven priority sites is close to $1 million per year. Most of this cost is associated with the need to

perform at least one biodiversity patrol per patrol team per month in the conservation areas and

the corresponding stipend needed to ensure the volunteer forest guards receive basic support for

their service on a monthly basis. DENR already has significant resources allocated for forest

protection and biodiversity conservation at the regional level; nonetheless, in the absence of

concrete strategies and plans these resources are often used for other purposes. The same is true

for LGUs located within the Program priority sites, which manage significant amount of funding

for environmental and forest related activities within their budgets. The Program will closely

coordinate with DENR and committed LGUs to ensure that B+WISER activities and key

interventions count with the proper level of counterpart resources to ensure a smooth scale-up

process of the forest restoration and biodiversity conservation interventions. Through ICRAF, the

Program will assist LGUs in developing proposals that would better equip them to deal with the

impacts of climate change for submission to the People’s Survival Fund of the Climate Change

Commission focusing on those LGUs in Quinali and within the CDO River basin, which were

assessed most vulnerable to climate change.

Local communities and IP groups. Local communities, including IP groups are the main actors

when it comes to the implementation of the Program’s activities and interventions. While

B+WISER has observed a high level of commitment from these groups to support protection and

conservation activities, often times they lack the resources needed to engage in activities on a


continuing basis. During Year 4, the Program will provide technical assistance to these groups to

help them submit competitive proposals to existing grants facilities such as the Climate Change

Commission’s People’s Survival Fund, the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation,

and the Foundation for the Philippine Environments. Support will be provided to help these

groups better articulate their proposal whenever their goals align with the Program’s goals.

Enabling Intervention Four - Support Capacity Development

During Year 4, the Program will continue to build on its capacity development interventions

aimed at improving the individual and institutional capacity of national and local partners to

address key threats to biodiversity and forests. Additional assistance will prioritize addressing

identified capacity requirements for the scale-up of a forest and biodiversity protection system,

including the incorporation of a functioning response mechanism to address identified threats and

other Program innovations.

At the national level, capacity development activities will include:

Workshops on CyberTracker and SMART under LAWIN for DENR staff to support the

mainstreaming of a forest and biodiversity protection system.

Workshops to mainstream ELE for DENR staff, PNP, and other stakeholders.

Support DENR Foreign Assisted Special Projects Services to apply GSA to project

development.

Capability-building, technical assistance, and training to establish a functional

measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework, in collaboration with USFS and

Gesselschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which could allow for accurate

measurement of the country’s GHG emissions, the Forest Emissions Reference Level (FREL),

and ultimately equip the country to participate in the international REDD+ initiative.

Support GPH to develop the National Forest Monitoring System and the National Forest

Inventory that will serve as the backbone for the assessment of forest carbon and forest cover

changes needed to address the needs for REDD+, national GHGI (e.g., carbon in the forestry

sector), and other national reporting commitments such as the Forest Resources Assessment for

Food and Agriculture Organization.

Provide assistance to DENR-ERDB to build their capacity on CyberTracker to enhance

monitoring of the PhP 1 billion MBFDP, which represents the most direct GPH response to

increase the climate resilience of coastal communities.

Work with universities and national-level research organizations to advance research and

development on biodiversity conservation and protection.

At the site level, capacity development activities will include among others:

Support PAMB and LGUs to improve their performance in environmental governance.

Provide capacity-building assistance to local partners including PASUs, Community

Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENROs), Provincial Environmental and Natural

Resources Office (PENROs), LGUs, IP groups and other local community groups in forest

restoration and biodiversity conservation in protected areas.


Work with local stakeholders in at least four priority sites to conduct climate-smart workshops

in order to incorporate the results of the Watershed Vulnerability Assessments into CLUPs and

Comprehensive Development Plans to strengthen the climate resilience capability of these sites.

Enabling Intervention Five – Develop and Support PES Mechanisms and Strategies

Sustainable finance mechanisms are required to ensure that Program efforts to place priority sites

under improved natural resources management continues beyond the life of program. During the

first three years of implementation, the Program was able to successfully engage local partners,

DENR at the regional level, provincial governments, and national level partners such as the

DSWD to leverage funds to finance community groups’ support of forest restoration and

protection. Nonetheless, a broader effort is now needed during Year 4 to lay the foundation for

sustainable forest and biodiversity protection to encompass the entire range of conservation areas

across the seven Program priority sites.

The Program will initiate and expand PES schemes in priority sites such as BRWFR, MKRNP

and NSMNP. These PES schemes will be structured through city and/or provincial ordinances

and will likely be based on water user fees, as has been done in previous years of the Program.

The Program will work with local authorities such as the LGUs, PAMBs, Watershed

Management Councils (WMCs) and private sector stakeholders to (i) identify the ecological

services being provided, (ii) determine the value of the ecological services that require protection,

(iii) determine the level of funding needed to ensure appropriate protection of those services, and

(iv) identify the appropriate mechanisms to finance the protection fund and provide payments to

local communities engaged in the protection activities. Additionally, the Program will work with

local communities engaged in the protection of the identified ecological services to ensure

continued protection of the resource and verification, data management and reporting, and

appropriate responses to observed threats. The Program will also work with local decision makers

to ensure a prompt response to observed threats and provide timely reporting to PES stakeholders,

including the monitoring of the ecosystem response to the improved protection system.

B+WISER will also engage the private sector to forge PPPs that can work as PES-like schemes.

For instance, a private sector corporation might act as a ‘buyer’ of ecological services by adopting

a particular conservation area. Under this scheme the private sector firm would finance the cost to

establish forest and biodiversity protection in a particular conservation area in exchange of the

local authorities to commit to provide prompt responses to observed threats. The buyer would get

periodic reports documenting how threats to biodiversity conservation and forestry protection are

decreasing over time under the improved protection systems. The Program will work with DENR

partners at the national level to explore the possibility of providing participating firms with ‘GHG

Emission Reduction Certificates,’ which will provide further incentives for firms who are

interested in off-setting their carbon footprint and hence improving their environmental

competitiveness.

Beyond establishing PES schemes, the Program will continue to work with DENR and LGU

partners to mainstream innovations into planning and budgeting processes in order to support

sustainability of activities.


Enabling Intervention Six - Conduct Communication Campaigns

In light of the agreements reached at Conference of Parties (COP) 21, communication campaigns

during Year 4 will focus on how protection of natural resources can increase resilience to climate

change among the local communities, LGUs, and the general public.

Key activities will include:

Increasing local community awareness of threats, prohibited acts, and benefits of improved

conservation management through workshops, community consultations, and Information,

Education and Communication.

Publication of news, feature articles, or blog posts in national and local dailies in print and

online and partner websites

Producing IEC promotional materials describing the key innovations that can be easily

disseminated in various platforms, such as social media, webinars, or exhibits

Showcasing Program initiatives and results in at least one international conference or webinar

attended by the conservation community.

Awareness activities will be complement other media products such as promotional, educational,

and documentation videos.

The Program will also support documentation of best practices, address sustainability concerns

through the preparation of policy briefs and knowledge products (including publications),

document and disseminate success stories (events, social media, print and broadcast media), and

support the development of Community of Practice on ELE in priority sites.

CROSSCUTTING ACTIVITIES

Support National REDD+ and GHG Program The primary priority action of the Program in this component is to support the Philippine’s

National REDD+ Readiness at the National Level in its efforts to establish the Measurement,

Reporting and Verification (MRV) System. As such, the Program’s REDD+ work will be carried

out in close coordination with the USFS Climate Fellow and USFS International Program,. In the

last quarter of 2015, the USFS commissioned the Mullion Group to draft “Options for an MRV

Strategy.” Referencing that document, the Program identified key steps to advance its technical

assistance in Year 4 on the establishment of the MRV system:

Facilitate defining the scope and aims of the Philippines MRV system in consultation with

relevant agencies.

Conduct an additional policy and institutional review to determine the policy platform that

will be the anchor of the Philippines’ MRV system in which it will be formulated, adopted and

implemented by all agencies concerned. This action will use as an initial step the policy review

conducted by the Mullion group to produce further and determine enabling policies or constraints

on the establishment of the system. B+WISER in close coordination with the USFS will also

define the scope of work for each agency together with the determination of the most suitable

institutional arrangement for the proposed MRV system to function.

Review the Carbon Budget Model – Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) as the most

suitable integration system for the forest MRV system.


Continue technical support for the national GHGI specific to the forestry sector led by EC-

LEDS/B-LEADER.

Support the finalization of the draft National Forest Monitoring System led by GIZ.

Finalize the draft Baseline Carbon Emission Level paper, as a precursor to an eventual Forest

Reference Emission Level submission.

Throughout Year 4, the Program will continue to assess the viability of including various remote

sensing technologies and images in the MRV system.

The secondary priority is site level activities on REDD+ readiness:

Integrate trainings and other activities in forest protection, monitoring and ELE, PES

discussions, and performance-based incentives to constitute the program’s REDD+ readiness

initiative.

Present tangible or concrete PES on REDD+ options through the development of a REDD+

Project Information Note in select B+WISER sites such as in Bago, Oriental Mindoro Watersheds

and NSMNP.

Research During Year 4, depending on the need, B+WISER will support selected research studies to

strengthen the scientific basis of effective decision making for forest protection and restoration

and protected area management. . This selected research work could focus on PES, forest

protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. On the climate change side,

the research will focus on the current hydrology in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, QAW, Bago

Watershed, and Tumauini Watershed, how future climate impacts will likely affect it, and the

implications that these results would have for the watershed protection activities of these regions.

The findings will be used to enhance LGU plans and enable local watershed management

councils to develop appropriate mitigation strategies including the provision of additional

guidance for watershed protection and restoration activities. The findings will also inform water-

based PES mechanisms.

The Program will also conduct a modelling study, using the MaxEnt software, on the effects of

climate change on HCVAs in MKRNP and Bago River Watershed including NNNP, MKNP, and

Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP). The results of this modelling study will likewise provide

further inputs for enhancing protected area plans and guiding future conservation efforts in view

of ecosystem resilience.

Gender and Inclusion The Program will work proactively to ensure that gender and IP inclusion are integrated in the all

program activities paying particular attention to:

Increasing the number of women from local stakeholders and communities to actively

participate in forest and biodiversity protection

Identifying and assess impacts of program interventions on gender in order to mitigate

potential negative impacts and enhance positive impacts

Communicating the impacts of the Program on gender

Incorporating a gender lens in policy and plan reviews


Responding to DENR’s request for gender inputs or training, as needed

During Year 4 the Program will also work with local partners to highlight the significant role of

women and IP are already having in the area of conservation and protection of natural forests in

the Philippines. This work will be showcased through program’s social media activities, videos,

special feature reports, and success stories.

The Program shall likewise continue to comply with the USAID-required annual activity (every

June) of self-scoring its gender accomplishments using the USAID Gender and Development

Checklists for program identification and design, project management and implementation, and

project monitoring and evaluation. The scoring will be based on the results drawn from two

B+WISER tools: (1) gender checklist incorporated in the Activity Design Template, and (2)

combined gender checklist on project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The Program will continue the validation activities with IPs in NSMNP and MKRNP, in

collaboration with NCIP, to obtain the IPs’ free and prior informed consent for Program

implementation in their ancestral domains. At the validation activities, the IPs sign a Resolution

of Consent or Confirmation, which is the basis for NCIP to issue a Certification Precondition

(CP) to B+WISER. In Year 4, the Program will follow up on NCIP’s issuance of a CP the two

sites. It will also await the action of NCIP on the CP applications for UMRBPL-KWFR and

NLNP-SW. Beyond the NCIP compliance requirements, the Program will proactively engage IPs

in PAMB processes to enhance and implement protected area management plans, set up forest

and biodiversity protection systems, discuss METT and GSA scores, and establish PES

mechanisms.

Monitoring and Evaluation Based on the results of midterm performance evaluation conducted from November 2015 to

January 2016, the Program will make revisions to the Performance Monitoring Plan to reflect the

evolution of the Program’s overall strategy. The definition of relevant indicators will be aligned

with the evolution of the program’s strategy to reflect the focus on conservation areas and

HCVAs and make the definition and computation process simpler. The other recommendations

of the midterm performance evaluation on the eight program interventions have been

incorporated in the work plan. These recommendations will be discussed with the DENR and key

program partners.

The Program will also continue to populate and update a progress tracker (progress dashboard) in

Google Spreadsheets to monitor what has been achieved in each conservation area at the Program

sites. This will allow the Program to get a conservation area-centered snapshot of the status of

implementation and focus on those conservation areas that are lagging in achieving expected

results. The results in the progress tracker will also be entered in the Program’s usual indicator

trackers that feed into USAID’s annual Portfolio Review.

B+WISER will also continue to populate and update a centralized repository of patrol data for all

the conservation areas. This will allow the Program to analyze trends in patrol observation data

both at the conservation area and program levels to determine the effectiveness of actions

implemented to address observed threats to the natural forests. Using this data, the program will

also support regular local consultations to review the implementation of the forest and

biodiversity protection system to promote adaptive management.


V. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Year 4 of Program implementation represents a significant turning point. During this year, the

Program will move to full implementation of developed innovations in forest and biodiversity

protection system such as the process of identification of HCVAs, use of open source softwares in

recording, analyzing and reporting patrol data, and mobilizing private sector and establishment of

PES-like mechanisms to support forest protection.

Opportunities

Building on EO193 and COP21 agreements. In December 2015, President Aquino signed

EO193, which extends the National Greening Program through 2028. Furthermore, in preparation

to COP21, the Philippines submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions with an

aspiration goal to reduce GHG emissions by 70% as compared to the Business as Usual scenario

for the period of 2010-2030. These two developments could create significant opportunities for

the B+WISER during the next two years of implementation. For instance, under EO193 the GPH

encourages the private sector to pursue carbon neutrality for their productive activities.

Effectively protecting natural forests in the Philippines represents a significant opportunity for the

private sector to offset their carbon footprint and for the country to avoid further deforestation,

resulting in reduced GHG emissions. The Program will engage DENR, the private sector, and

other key stakeholders to explore the possibility of establishing a voluntary carbon market

mechanism that can be tied to forest-based offset projects through PES schemes.

Though B+WISER will likely face some challenges due to the upcoming elections and current

private sector mindset, the Program will seek to proactively mitigate these hurdles.

Forging partnerships with private sector firms. Given the limitation of LGUs to provide the

required funding to fully implement LAWIN and to provide for sustainable livelihood options

through PES schemes for communities engage in protection activities across all seven priority

sites, as well as the expected negative impact that the election process will have on allowing key

partners such as DENR to respond on a timely basis to provide required resources to these LGUs,

it will be critical to mobilize private sector support. A significant number of private sector firms

in the Philippines are interested in supporting the forestry sector through their Corporate Social

Responsibility activities, but most of these firms limit their support to short-term tree planting

activities. Accordingly, there is a need to foster a change in mindset from tree planting to

conservation and protection activities. The Program will engage private sector organizations as

well as individual firms through roadshow presentations and discussions to demonstrate the

importance of supporting conservation and protection activities, including making a business case

for their participation in these activities.

Managing the impact of national and local elections in 2016. B+WISER anticipates local and

national government partners to shift their attention to the upcoming election process and away

from specific project implementation at the local level. The capacity of these partners to engage

in new activities and support Program interventions will likely be reduced until several months

after the newly elected authorities are placed in their positions. The Program has identified

several actions to minimize the impact, including: intensifying any additional planning required

for full implementation of a forest and biodiversity protection system during the first quarter of

Year 4, influencing the likelihood of including Program activities in these partners’ approved

budgets for 2016, and increasing efforts to engage private sector stakeholders to leverage

resources that minimize dependency on public funding.


Mainstreaming of program innovations into DENR planning and budget process. To ensure

sustainability of the Program’s innovations, these need to be mainstreamed in the planning and

budgeting processes of the DENR. The Program will continue to work closely with DENR and its

relevant bureaus to ensure buy-in on program activities and timely responses.


VI. SITE LEVEL STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Program will meet performance targets, especially related to conservation, through site level

work that will focus on both primary and enabling interventions in conservation areas within

identified HCVAs. There are 35 conservation areas with a combined total forest cover of 378,000

ha where the greatest impact for positive habitat change of key species and the biggest gains in

reducing forest loss and improving forest condition can be expected. By focusing program efforts

in these areas, the Program has the potential to improve natural resources management in

approximately 1 million ha.

Conservation areas vary in size and the specific challenges in each require varying levels of

conservation effort. The Program has therefore estimated the financial resources needed to

operate a forest and biodiversity protection system in the different conservation areas to establish

a basis for fund leveraging efforts. Table 4 provides an overview of the different conservation

areas including total forest cover and an estimated minimum financial resource requirement to

protect the forests in these areas.

Table 4. Conservation areas, forest cover, and estimated cost of forest protection by Program site

Priority Site

Total potential area for

improved NRM (ha)

Number of Conservation

Areas

Forest Cover in Conservation

Areas (ha)

Estimated minimum annual financial

resources required for forest protection (PhP)

NSMNP 359,468 6 258,798.51 36,880,434

UMRBPL/KWFR 53,739 3 16,484 3,754,917

Oriental Mindoro Watersheds/NLNP

122,000 4 27,173.94 7,164,695

QAW 73,000 3 4,290.37 2,667,117

North Negros/Bago Watershed 144,873 7 32,509.04 6,767,173

CDO River Basin/MKRNP 202,044 9 44,635 13,984,251

MANP 64,053 4 21,062 5,731,756

Total 1,019,177 36 404,953 76,950,343

Interventions in the conservation areas will develop the capacity of the respective resource

managers to operationalize the different components of a forest and biodiversity protection

system, including ELE/response mechanisms and improved monitoring, and promote

conservation targets, desired future forest conditions, and FMU activities with concerned

stakeholders. A key element of the strategy is the mobilization of sustained funding for continued

patrolling and implementation of response mechanisms in the conservation areas. The Program

will work intensively with DENR, LGUs, and private sector to achieve sustainable conservation

financing through PES schemes and other partnership arrangements.

At the protected area level, interventions will aim to sustain efforts for achieving the conservation

targets by enhancing resource management plans, facilitating adoption of these plan, and

establishing LAWIN. On a selective basis, the Program will also support demand-driven activities

that contribute to the improvement of management of the area.


VII. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

Internal Changes

As the Program implementation schedule unfolds, there will be a steady decrease in the number

of Program personnel. Whenever possible, internal promotions will be favored, in particular this

will be the case for the sustainable finance specialist and the supervisory finance positions.

Additionally, several staff resigned from their positions as of the end of Year 3. Accordingly, the

Program will initiate recruitment for these positions, including those for Communication and

Procurement Specialists. Field Managers, working in close collaboration with the local DENR

counterparts, are expected to take on an increasing leadership role during Year 4 as the Program

focuses its attention to scaling up LAWIN. The Program will seek stronger collaboration with

DENR, LGUs, and the private sector in order to leverage additional resources required to support

the technological and operational costs associated with the forest and biodiversity protection

system at the site level. The updated organizational chart for the Program is presented below

(Figure 4).


Working with DENR

Year 4 is another critical year in the partnership with DENR as many of the key Program activities

rely on DENR approval and ownership for future sustainability and broader application across the

Philippines. Inclusion of the Program’s activities in the planning and budget process of DENR, at

both the regional and national levels, is seen as a vital next step in a formal commitment to take over

interventions after the Program ends.

The scale-up of LAWIN as a forest and biodiversity protection system will require strong support

from DENR leadership as well as DENR Regional Directors and PASus. DENR and LGU

participation in all aspects of LAWIN will ensure strong ownership of the innovations on the part of

the GPH institutions. It will lay the foundation for the sustainable implementation of the system across

priority areas and provide critical lessons learned to expand into other priority areas within the

Philippines.

The Program will continue to be governed by the Program Steering Committee, chaired by the FMB

Director, for the policy and implementation aspects and the TWG, chaired by the FMB Assistant

Director, for technical matters. The Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) will continue to support ongoing

coordination between the Program and DENR at the national level during Year 4. The PCU will

continue to serve as the focal office to attend to the operational and implementation concerns of the

Program and facilitate their resolution through the timely submission of information to those

concerned.

B+WISER will actively engage in strategic planning sessions at the central and site levels to ensure

mainstreaming of key activities and strategies. On the ground, the center of action will be the PENRO

and the Provincial TWG who will oversee the implementation of the mutually agreed site-specific

work and with whom the B+WISER field teams will work closely to identify jointly-implemented

activities. The few activities that require considerable expertise or quicker-paced collaboration with

the LGUs will also be jointly agreed upon and regularly communicated to the DENR.

The Program will host a strategic planning workshop with DENR, including FMB, BMB, DENR

Regional Directors, PENROs, PASus, and other key local staff in early January 2016. The purpose of

the workshop will be to present the Program work plan for Year 4 and to highlight the proposed scale-

up process for LAWIN as an innovative approach to foster biodiversity and forest protection in the

Philippines. The Program will seek to secure the support of the participants in mainstreaming key

activities into the planning and budget process of the various DENR regions as well as securing a high

level of ownership from DENR counterparts at the national and regional level for the proposed

implementation schedule.

At the national level, the Program will continue to provide quarterly progress reports to the Steering

Committee and the TWG. At the local level, monthly progress reports will be provided to PENROs.

Working with Partners

In Year 4, in order to successfully implement the proposed conservation and protection strategy across

B+WISER sites, the Program will significantly expand the involvement of LGUs, local partners, and

private sector organizations. Partnerships with technology-based firms will leverage resources and

knowhow in the area of data transmission, analysis, and reporting, and allow the Program to acquire

the necessary number of tablets and data analysis units needed to cover all the conservations areas,

while fostering sustainability. Partnership agreements with local DENR and LGU offices, as well as

private sector organizations, will allow the Program to leverage additional resources to cover

operational costs associated with biodiversity monitoring and ELE activities, supporting an


acceleration in the implementation of the proposed forest and biodiversity protection system. In

addition, building on the work done in Year 3, the Program will continue to support selected local

organizations in the development of grant proposals aligned with the proposed Program

implementation schedule. These grants will help leverage additional resources in support of the

Program’s approach from funding organizations such as the PTFCF, with whom the Program has

signed an MOU. The Program will continue to engage IP groups and other community-based

organizations at the local level to ensure proper buy-in and adoption of proposed innovations.

Communication Channels

B+WISER’s newsletter/brief will continue to be produced on a quarterly basis to report progress and

key activities to all Program partners. Monthly briefing sessions will be held at all levels to

complement these. Additionally, the Program will continue to creatively use social media to

communicate its results and impact to a wider audience. The Program will complement this activity

by developing new communication products including infographics, educational videos on Program

innovations and threats to biodiversity conservation, and success stories. The B+WISER chief of

party and deputy chief of party will continue to maintain frequent meetings with FMB and BMB

Directors to provide progress reports, and also to allow for more adaptive program management

should pressing matters and issues arise.

Management and Staffing Structure for the Implementation of a forest and biodiversity protection system

The management and staffing structure specific to the implementation of the Forest and Biodiversity

Protection System is shown below (Table 5).

Table 5. Management and staffing structure specific to the implementation of the forest and biodiversity protection system


VIII. CONCLUDING REMARKS

Year 4 represents a significant shift in Program implementation as the stage is now set for the scale-up

of Program innovations across the seven priority sites. The various Program assessments,

interventions, and tools are now coming together to form the forest and biodiversity protection system,

which once fully implemented would represent a significant improvement upon existing practices that

would contribute towards enhanced ecosystem services, including resilience to the impact of climate

change. This comprehensive protection system brings together a range of key tools and innovations to

provide a STIP (Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnership)-intensive response for biodiversity

conservation.

Key elements include:

Science-based data modeling of trees and wildlife species customized by HCVA within a

given conservation area;

Use of open-source software CyberTracker to create a user-friendly tablet and/or smartphone-

based app for community forest guards to capture paperless field data during biodiversity

patrols;

Use of open-source and/or freely available software including SMART, QGIS, and Google

Earth for data management, analysis and reporting through the production of maps showing

spatial distribution of species and threats;

Incorporation of an ELE response mechanism to address identified threats;

Incorporation of an ecosystem monitoring mechanism to examine how the ecosystem responds

to the improved management interventions over time;

Establishment of performance-based PES schemes to provide for sustainable finance sources

to support conservation and protection activities;

Customization of the CyberTracker app to support DENR and its ERDB in the monitoring and

evaluation of the PhP 1 billion MBFDP, which represents a significant response on the part of

the GPH to strengthen community resilience to super storms resulting from ever changing

climate conditions; and

Enhancement of LGUs’ FLUPs and investment plans through the incorporation of measurable

conservation targets and other Program innovations.

The Program will work with DENR, local authorities, local partners, and the private sector in order to

ensure the successful scaling-up of the various program innovations across the program sites. In

addition, by the end of year 4, the Program will support DENR in exploring the possibility of

extending the implementation of a forest and biodiversity protection system and tested PES schemes to

other priority DENR sites. The Program, in close collaboration with DENR, will foster the sustainable

practice of the various Program’s innovations by: (i) facilitating the formulation of support policies at

national and local levels, (ii) developing the manuals and technical bulletins for the key agencies who

are tasked with overseeing the conservation of protected areas (e.g., BMB), implementing restoration

in forest lands by FMB, and restoring coastal ecosystem functions by mangrove and beach forest

(ERDB), (iii) building capacity to continue practicing these innovations at agency and key partners

and (iv) developing sustainable financing instruments that would make conservation economically

feasible.


ANNEXES

ANNEX 1. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

PROGRAM INTERVENTIONS Year 4 (Project Year 2016)

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Strengthening capacity for environmental law enforcement

Finalize the Forestry Law Enforcement Manual and continue to support the implementation of the 2015-2019 National Roadmap for Strengthening ELE in the seven Program sites by working closely with the National Environmental Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee

Finalize and publish the protected areas ELE Handbook by continuing to collaborate with DENR’s BMB

Provide capacity development assistance to key partners such as DENR, PNP, LGUs, PAMBs and other ELE stakeholders through train-the-trainers workshops and other activities to strengthen response mechanisms to address observed threats

Provide selective training to protected areas prosecutors and green court judges (including single sala courts) across the seven sites

Supporting forest restoration initiatives

Support the formulation of national level forest restoration-related policies aimed at fostering implementation at the program sites through technical bulletins, technical advisories and/or department orders. These include those related to forest and biodiversity protection system, Forest Landscape Restoration Program of FMB and the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan of the BMB as part of the PBSAP.

Strengthen the partnership of DSWD and DENR for the effective maintenance and protection of NGP areas in selected Program priority sites.

Support the monitoring of MBFD implementation through the development and application of an app for data recording and analysis that would inform management in collaboration with DENR/ERDB

Enhancement of Resource Management Plans

Support the BMB to prepare updated guide modules for the improvement of protected area management plans, and their integration with the LGU CLUPs

Support the enhancement of protected area management plans in the Program sites mainly by incorporating measurable conservation targets and strategies to achieve these informed by the results of the program’s ecological assessments.

Development of partnerships with public and private groups

Seek support from technology firms operating in the Philippines, including telecommunications firms such as Cosmic Technologies, Globe, and Smart, to support the technology-based requirements for the scale-up of forest and biodiversity protection system

Seek partnership with private sector firms and private sector organizations both at the national and site/regional levels through a wide range of tools and schemes to support the operational requirements for the scale-up of a forest and biodiversity protection system.

Closely coordinate with DENR and committed LGUs to secure counterpart resources for the scale-up and institutionalization of forest and biodiversity protection system.



Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Provide selective technical assistance to local communities and IP groups to enable them to submit winning proposals to existing grants facilities such as the Climate Change Commission’s People’s Survival Fund, the Philippines-American Fund, and the PTFCF for the operational requirements of a forest and biodiversity protection system and other related forest restoration initiatives.

Support capacity development

Conduct coaching workshops with DENR staff on the use of CyberTracker and SMART software to support mainstreaming of forest and biodiversity protection system.

Work with universities and national level research organizations to institutionalize the Program’s approach to biodiversity conservation and protection.

Capability-building technical assistance and training in the establishment of a functional MRV framework in collaboration with USFS, and GIZ, which could allow for accurate measurement of the country’s GHG emissions, the FREL, and ultimately equipping the country to participate in the international REDD+ initiative.

Provide technical assistance to GPH agencies to develop the National Forest Monitoring System and the National Forest Inventory System that will serve as the backbone for the assessment of forest carbon and forest cover changes needed to address the needs for REDD+, national GHGI (e.g., carbon in the forestry sector),

Provide technical assistance to DENR-ERDB in using CyberTracker to enhance monitoring of the PhP 1 billion MBFDP which represents the most direct GPH response to increase the climate resilience of coastal communities

Train and coach PASUs, CENROs, PENROs, LGUs, IP groups and other local community groups in the various roles required for the scale-up of forest and biodiversity protection system within the Program’s priority sites.

Incorporate results of vulnerability assessments conducted in 2015 in plans and activities of local stakeholders in at least four priority sites in order to increase resilience to climate change.

Strengthen policy and governance

Conduct National Policy Forum on People Inside Protected Areas

Provide support to demand-driven policy and national planning initiatives of FMB and BMB that pertains to forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, community livelihood, and reducing vulnerabilities to climate change.

Provide assistance to PAMBs in the updating of their PAMB Manual of Operations based on the Handbook of protected areas Manual of Operations and B+WISER innovations

Technical assistance in the development of local policies (e.g. PAMB regulations, LGU ordinance) and MOU to support Program initiatives on forest restoration, threats reduction, enhancement of protected areas management plan and its integration with local resource management plans, sustainable financing particularly PES

Conduct final METT and GSA assessments and compare the new score with the baseline scores in order to note improvements.

Payment for Ecosystem Services

Provide selective technical assistance to local stakeholders including private sector partners to structure functioning PES schemes.

Develop concept proposals and roadshows presentations aimed at fostering private sector support for the scale-up of forest and biodiversity protection system, including livelihood opportunities for local communities engaged in the conservation/protection activities.

Conduct communication campaigns



Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Produce IEC materials such as brochure and/or infographics describing key innovations for local governments and communities

Development of a short animated promotional video on FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION SYSTEM for resource managers, possible funders, and local governments

Facilitate roundtable discussions on program innovations with media coverage

Invite media practitioners to join program events (patrol runs, responses, community discussions etc.) in project sites for media coverage that can result in news stories, feature articles, blogs, or television/radio coverage

Publish success stories and feature articles

Showcase of LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system in at least one conference or webinar attended by the conservation community (local and/or international)

Produce Isabela oriole mascot for NSMNP

REDD+

Conduct consultative meetings and workshops to define the scope and aims of the Philippines MRV system (specific to Forest MRV)

Conduct policy and institutional review for the Philippines’ MRV system (forest MRV)

Support the strengthening of the management and coordination mechanism for the Philippine MRV system, including provision of assistance in identifying key agencies involved in the forest MRV system, defining their scope of work, and determining the most suitable institutional arrangement for data integration

Conduct consultative review of the CBM-CFS integration system for the forest MRV system.

Provide technical support for the conduct of the national GHGI specific to the forestry sector

Support the finalization of the draft National Forest Monitoring System

Finalize the draft Baseline Carbon Emission Level paper

Gender and inclusion

Conduct self-scoring of gender accomplishments using the USAID GAD Checklists for program identification and design, project management and implementation and Project monitoring and evaluation.

Increase the number of women from local stakeholders and communities to actively participate in forest and biodiversity protection

Respond to DENR’s request for gender inputs or training, as needed

Identify and assess impacts of program interventions on gender in order to mitigate potential negative impacts and enhance positive impacts

Incorporate a gender lens in policy and plan reviews

Communicate the impacts of the Program on gender

Follow up NCIP’s issuance of Certificate of Precondition in NSMNP, MKRNP, Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve

Program management-related activities

Conduct TWG meetings

Conduct Program Steering Committee Meetings


ANNEX 2. PARTNERSHIPS

Company/Organization Possible Partnerships Potential Contact Person Designation STATUS

A. Partnerships with Philippine Government Agencies and Departments

Department of Natural Resources (DENR)

Support B+WISER forest protection restoration efforts

CURRENT Various Regional Directors for seven sites

Partnership ongoing. New phase aimed at mainstreaming B+WISER activities within DENR normal planning/budgeting process.

Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)


CURRENT Leticia Diokno Regional Director

Partnership is ongoing. Forest restoration activities conducted under DSWD 4Ps program. Exploring to expand in Oriental Mindoro, NSMNP and North Negros

Climate Change Commission/ People’s Survival Fund (PSF)

Strengthening priority watershed resilience

HIGH Ms. Erika Erro Technical Assistant

B+WISER to assist LGUs in submitting proposals for PSF funding.

Development Bank of the Philippines


HIGH Ms. Aurora C. Maghirang

Senior Assistant Vice President

B+WISER to coordinate with both headquarters and regional offices to explore partnership possibilities.

Provincial Government of Rizal Support B+WISER forest protection restoration efforts

MED Ms. Milagros Diestro-Trias

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator

B+WISER in conversation with Rizal province to having a 2,000-hectar area in the province available for forest restoration and protection.

B. Potential PPP with Technology Firms

Comic Technologies (Cherry Mobile)

Support Scale-up of B+WISER’s FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION SYSTEM Forest Protection System

HIGH Ms. Regine Penaflor-Anacay

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

B+WISER submitted draft concept paper for possible PPP. Firm to provide smart tablets for field data collection with CyberTracker and computers for data analysis with Smart software.

SMART Communications Restoration in UM/Kitanglad/Bicol

MED To be established Contacted.

Globe Telecom Restoration MED To be established Contacted.


Company/Organization Possible Partnerships Potential Contact Person Designation STATUS

C. Potential PPP with other Private Sector Corporations and/or Business Organizations

Philippine Business for Environment

Support Scale-up of LAWIN HIGH Mr. Bonar Laureto Executive Director

PBE and B+WISER developing partnership for private investment in forest restoration.

Philippine Airlines Support Scale-up of LAWIN MED Jonathan P. Gezmundo

Editorial Consultant, Corporate Communications Department

PAL has inquired from B+WISER how the program can help them attain carbon neutrality. B+WISER to pursue discussions with PAL.

Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF)

Strengthening watershed resilience through forest restoration and early warning systems

MED Marilou G. Erni Executive Director

B+WISER to continue discussions with PDRF to gain support of the organization and/or some of its key private sector members aimed at strengthening resilience of QWA, UMRBPL, and CDO watersheds.

SM Supermalls and SM Foundation

Support Scale-up of LAWIN

HIGH Cristie Angeles Assistant Vice President

B+WISER to explore possibility of partnership with SM group to support the scaling-up of the LAWIN.

Nestle Support Scale-up of LAWIN HIGH Ms. Patricia Rabat Corporate Affairs Executive

B+WISER to continue discussion with Nestle on potential partnership to support restoration/protection efforts in key priority sites.

ABS-CBN Corp. Support Scale-up of LaEIN HIGH Ms. Gina Lopez Chairman B+WISER to explore potential partnership with ABS-CBN aimed at (i) increase awareness for forest restoration/protection, and (ii) leverage additional private sector resources.

Center for Biodiversity Journalism

Increase awareness in support of forest restoration/protection

HIGH Jun Bandayrel Member B+WISER to continue discussion with Journalism center on how to leverage their support.

PEPSI Cola Restoration MED To be established Contacted.

Coca Cola Foundation Restoration HIGH To be established Contacted


ANNEX 3. NORTHERN SIERRA MADRE NATURAL PARK (NSMNP) YEAR 4 WORK PLAN

NSMNP is the largest block of protected area in the country with a total area of 299,370 ha, of which

92%, or 276,373 ha, of natural forest remains. The ecological assessment identified three high

conservation value areas (HCVAs), which feature high congruence of suitable habitats for key species.

Figure 5. NSMNP - HCVA location, forest cover change vis-à-vis protected area boundaries, and location of cities and municipalities


These HCVAs are partly covered by the current configuration of the park as shown in Figure 5 above.

Forest cover change analysis of these HCVAs indicates that the focus of intervention should be on the

maintenance and improvement of habitat conditions. This may be done through improved protection to

maintain existing intact areas and help restore degraded forest areas through the removal of pressures to

these habitats.

Forest condition, conservation areas, ecosystem value loss

NSMNP is currently under pressure by threats such as illegal logging and slash and burn activities, which

result in forest cover loss, mainly at the fringes of the forest. Likewise, the forest is subject to

degradation, which is manifested in changes from closed forest (2003) to open forest in (2010). Unlike

forest loss, forest degradation is observed in particular in the forest areas of the coastal towns of

Maconacon, Divilacan and Palanan. The gross deforestation rate of NSMNP was at 0.53%, while the net

deforestation rate was at 0.23%.

Given these recent forest changes, corresponding losses in ecosystem services, and taking realities of

NSMNP into account, the conservation targets for the protected area in Year 4 are:

75% reduction of gross forest loss within the NSMNP, with focus on Divilacan, Maconacon,

Palanan and Tumauini

Improvement of 90% of the degraded forests within HCVAs, particularly in Maconacon, Palanan,

Divilacan (2003 -2010) and in Ilagan City, San Mariano and Tumauini whose closed forest

became open forest in 2010.

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas have been delineated using current

(2010) forest boundaries as well as municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 5

above and their data are summarized in Table 6. Applying the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation

Calculator of the Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI), the current net deforestation rate translates

to a total annual loss of regulatory ecosystem service value equivalent to PhP 549,073,853. In order to

avoid or at least reduce forest loss and corresponding ecosystem value loss, it requires PhP 36,880,434

annually for establishing improved protection systems in the conservation areas.

Table 6. NSMNP - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area

Forest Cover (close and open

forest in ha, 2010)

Gross deforestation

rate

Ecosystem Value (PhP)

Annual ES value loss, regulatory services (PhP)3

Annual costs of conservation effort PhP)4

Maconacon 28,378.72

0.53%

11,410,033,292 60,473,176 4,152,439

Divilacan 80,431.27 32,197,843,842 170,648,572 11,223,139

Palanan 87,889.54 35,337,132,104 187,286,800 11,767,039

San Mariano 14,782.81 5,943,620,946 31,501,191 2,520,739

Tumauini 11,258.03 4,526,437,306 23,990,118 1,976,839

Ilagan City 36,058.14 14,183,772,705 75,173,995 5,240,239

Total 258,798.51 103,598,840,195 549,073,853 36,880,434

Key Activities for Year 4

During Year 4, B+WISER will work to establish the remaining conservation areas in Palanan, San

Mariano, Ilagan City, and Tumauini, define conservation targets and desired future forest conditions, and

3 Based on USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of MERFI 4 Based on average forest and biodiversity protection system operation costs


the establish and strengthen protection systems by applying the FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY

PROTECTION SYSTEM tool in each conservation area. The protection system consists of monitoring

threats, biodiversity, and response mechanisms. Emphasis will be put on the mobilization of sustained

funding for the protection activities in the conservation areas from both existing and new funding sources.

The Program will work intensively with local partners to achieve sustainable financing for the forest

protection activities. For Ilagan City, the conservation targets, desired future forest condition, and

management interventions will form part of the FLUP, which the Program will assist in developing.

At the protected area level, the conservation area level interventions will be institutionalized through

integration of conservation areas, targets, and interventions in the Protected Area Management Plan

(PAMP) adopted by PAMB. Table 7 details the key activities per conservation area and protected area

level activities.

Table 7. NSMNP - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area

Key Activities Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Tumauini, Ilagan City

Capacitation of patrollers on the use of CyberTracker.

Capacitation of data managers on the use of SMART, trouble-shooting of SMART and CyberTracker, development and updating of data model

Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous implementation of forest and biodiversity protection system (see Cost for each conservation area above).

Facilitation of the establishment of patrolling routine (patrol planning, patrollers’ deployment etc.)

Designing of data flow and reporting protocol which enables resource managers to identify and implement appropriate responses

Strengthening of a system for the implementation of responses, particularly those that require legal and judicial processes

Facilitation of the establishment of a process for continuous improvement of forest and biodiversity protection system through community discussions, PAMB meetings and national reporting on management strategies informed by data on observations gathered during patrols (such as zoning for production areas, support to biodiversity-friendly livelihood activities, etc.)

Site level

Drafting of enhanced PAMP including conservation area package in view of conservation targets for NSMNP

Facilitating PAMB adoption of enhanced PAMP

Production of the Isabela Oriole mascot


Follow up NCIP’s issuance of Certificate of Precondition

Critical Factors

In order to successfully implement the outlined strategies and activities in the identified conservation

areas within NSMNP, the following critical factors need to be considered:

Enabling/facilitating factors:

Proactive support of the PENRO/PASu and CENROs. While the B+WISER activities have still to be

mainstreamed/integrated into the DENR Work and Financial Plan, the PENRO of Isabela, which is also

the PASu of NSMNP and the three CENROs of Cabagan, Naguilian and Palanan, have been very


proactive in providing support to the implementation of program activities, including attending trainings

and workshops and networking/coordinating with the LGUs.

Existence and proactive support of the LGU MENROs/Municipal Planning and Development

Councils and Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) ENRO. The PENRO of Isabela and the

LGU MENROs of Divilacan, Palanan, and San Mariano, and Municipal Planning and Development

Councils of Maconacon and Tumauini are very proactive in assisting with B+WISER activities. They

provide field personnel and facilities, which go a long way towards achieving program targets. The PLGU

provided funding support to forest restoration activities, which is almost two times the per hectare

funding from DENR for NGP. This level of investment ensures the transformation of degraded, good

quality sites into healthy, verdant forest landscapes. This will have a positive impact on the local

stakeholders who are not only direct beneficiaries to the PLGU intervention, but participants and

witnesses to the successful restoration of a degraded forest landscape.

Hindering/limiting factors:

By and large two limiting factors have constrained the achievement of significant gains in achieving the

conservation targets of B+WISER: a) budget allocation and b) mainstreaming the program in the DENR

work and financial plan.


ANNEX 4. UPPER MARIKINA RIVER BASIN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (UMRBPL)/KALIWA

WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (KWFR) YEAR 4 WORK PLAN

UMRBPL and KWFR are important watersheds rendering ecosystem services to metro Manila. Close to

the highly urbanized National Capital Region and considering the associated population pressures, these

watersheds are at the frontlines for biodiversity conservation in remaining natural forests. The baseline

ecological assessment identified one large HCVA overlapping with the northern parts of the UMRBPL-

KWFR, extending far beyond the boundaries of the watersheds to the north as indicated in Figure 6.

Conservation hotspots were identified in the municipalities of Rodriguez and Tanay in the province of

Rizal and in Gen. Nakar, Quezon.


In 2010, the total forest cover in UMRBPL was 6,111 ha, or 23.4 %, of its total land area. Meanwhile,

KWFR had a total forest cover of 12,470 ha, or 45.2 %, of its total land area in the same year. Overall, the

forest in Upper Marikina and Kaliwa Watersheds has been subject to significant forest loss and

degradation due to the pressure resulting from the proximity to metro Manila. Between 2003 and 2010, a

total of 5,891 ha were either degraded or deforested, with more area showing forest loss (3,031 ha) than

forest degradation (2,860 ha). On the positive side, there was forest gain totaling 1,359 ha, which slightly

off set the degradation and loss of forest cover.

In addition to forest loss, forest degradation is likewise a severe issue, particularly within the identified

HCVA. Forest degradation covered a particularly large area in the municipality of Rodriguez (2,364 ha).

The annual net forest loss rate in the watersheds stands at 1.18% and the annual gross forest loss rate at

2.14%.

In view of the forest cover changes and HCVA locations, the following conservation targets have been

agreed upon with the stakeholders in the watersheds:

Reduce forest loss by 75% within the HCVAs, focusing on Barangay Puray and Mascap,

Rodriguez, Barangay Sta. Ines, Tanay (Rizal) and Barangay Lumutan, Gen. Nakar (Quezon)

Improve the condition of degraded forest in the HCVAs, focusing on Barangay Puray and

Mascap, Rodriguez, Barangay Sta. Ines, Tanay (Rizal) and Barangay Lumutan, Gen. Nakar

(Quezon). Indicators include increase in biomass and indicator species for quality of forest

Maintain the entire 6,257 ha of closed canopy forest in the HCVAs in Rodriguez, Tanay (Rizal)

and Gen. Nakar (Quezon)

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas have been delineated using 2010 forest

boundaries as well as municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 6 and their

data are summarized in Table 8. The estimated value of regulatory ecosystem services that is lost

annually is estimated at PhP 141,829,316. This was computed using the USAID Ecosystem Value

Estimation Calculator of the Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI). It requires PhP 3,754,917

annually for establishing improved protection systems in the conservation areas.


Table 8. UMRBPL/KWFR - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area


forest in ha, 2010)

Net deforestation

rate


Annual ES value loss, regulatory

services (PhP)5

Annual costs of conservation

effort (USD)6

Puray-Mascap 5,765.19

2.14%

2,317,969,578 49,604,549 1,432,939

Lumutan 8,226.64 3,307,627,562 70,783,230 1,432,939

Sta. Ines 2,492.00 1,001,940,996 21,441,537 889,039

Total 16,483.83 6,627,538,136 141,829,316 3,754,917

Figure 6: UMRBPL/KWFR - Summary map showing HCVA location, forest cover change vis-à-

vis watershed boundaries and location of municipalities

5 Based on USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of MERFI 6 Based on average LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system operation costs


Key Activities

During Year 4, B+WISER will strengthen the FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

SYSTEM forest protection system for each conservation area. For Sta. Ines, this will be carried out in

partnership with Tanim Kalikasan, an NGO that received funding from PTFCF for forest and biodiversity

protection system implementation. The Program will emphasize the mobilization of sustained funding for

the protection activities in the conservation areas from both existing and new funding sources. The

Program will also work intensively with local partners to achieve sustainable financing of forest

protection activities.

Activities outside the conservation areas will focus on maintaining the gain of the National Greening

Program (NGP) by strengthening the established partnership with DSWD.



adopted by Protected Area Management Board. Table 9 details the key activities per conservation area

and protected area level activities.

Table 9. UMRBPL/KWFR - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation areas


Puray-Mascap, Lumutan

Continue coaching of patrollers on the use of CyberTracker.

Continue coaching of data managers on the use of SMART, trouble-shooting of SMART and CyberTracker, development and updating of data model






Sta Ines

Level off and train Tanim Kalikasan staff on LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system



Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous implementation of forest and biodiversity proection system through fund allocation amounting to PhP 889,039 on an annual basis.





Conservation areas


Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets for UMRBPL and KWFR

Facilitating PAMB adoption of conservation area package for integration in PAMP


Protected area level

Strengthening of partnerships with DSWD for the improved maintenance of NGP areas


Critical Factors

Critical factors influencing protected area management and implementation of activities on the ground are

the orientation and cultural values of IPs in the area. The existence of national law recognizing IP claims

of ancestral domain that cover large tract of forestland which overlap with protected areas like KWFR and

some part of UMRBPL, affects decision-making and strategies for groundwork activities. Unlike other

IPs, the Dumagat-Remontados have no recognized traditional and indigenous forest resources

management systems and practices. The influx of lowland farmers in the watersheds diversified their

cultural values and customary laws and resulted in depletion in the forest frontiers of the UMRBPL and

KWFR. Their economy, which consists predominantly of traditional hunting, fishing, gathering and

small-scale farming, operates mainly on daily subsistence level, which has already been altered into cash-

generating, unsustainable farming activities.


ANNEX 5. ORIENTAL MINDORO WATERSHEDS AND NAUJAN LAKE NATIONAL PARK (NLNP) YEAR 4 WORK PLAN

Naujan Lake is the fifth largest lake in the Philippines and forms part of the national park. Watersheds

surrounding the lake are important regulators of the lake’s forest cover, which is concentrated on the

higher elevated western side and totals 40,437 hectares as of 2010. One major function of the forest in the

watersheds is the regulation of hydrological functions as this affects the quality of the lake and the

wetlands. B+WISER focuses conservation efforts in these watersheds.


The forest in NLNP and surrounding watersheds were subject to significant changes from 2003 - 2010.

While a total of 30,760 ha were lost during the period of analysis, 12,441 ha were gained during the same

time, resulting in a net negative change of 18,319 ha. The biggest forest loss occurred in the municipality

of San Teodoro (11,026 hectares) and the greatest forest gain in the municipality of Victoria (4,163

hectares). The overall net-negative changes is at 2,616.96 ha annually, equivalent to an annual net

deforestation rate of 4.45%.

In view of these negative developments in forest cover in the watersheds, which affect the lake and

surrounding wetlands, the following conservation targets were agreed upon with the stakeholders in

NLNP and surrounding watersheds.

Maintain forest gain in Victoria and Socorro municipalities

Reduce further net forest loss by 50% in Baco, San Teodoro, Victoria, and Socorro

Improve forest condition in 50% of degraded forests in Baco, San Teodoro, Victoria, and Socorro

Maintain the marshland habitat of resident and migratory birds in the northwestern part of the

lake in the municipalities of Naujan and Victoria

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas have been delineated using 2010 forest

boundaries, as well as municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 7 and their

data are summarized in Table 10. Applying the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of

Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI), the current net deforestation rate in these conservation areas

translates to a total annual loss ecosystem service value equivalent to PhP 528,297,015. It will require

PhP 7,164,695 per year in order to avoid or at least reduce forest loss and corresponding ecosystem value

loss by improving protection systems. The wetland conservation area covering the marshlands has a

regulatory ecosystem service value of PhP 907,875,000. Protection of this ecosystem is estimated to cost

approximately PhP 889,039 per year.

Table 10: Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area


forest in ha, 2010)

Net deforestation

rate Ecosystem Value

(PhP)

Annual ES value loss, regulatory services (PhP)7

Annual costs of conservation effort PhP)8

San Teodoro 9,761.57

4.45%

3,839,220,945 170,845,332 1,976,839

Victoria 5,029.30 1,978,018,875 88,021,840 1,432,939

Baco 5,596.96 2,201,032,710 97,945,956 1,432,939

Socorro 3,463.90 1,362,025,840 60,610,150 889,039

Naujan 6,334.61 2,491,544,655 110,873,737 1,432,939

Total 27,173.94 11,871,843,025 528,297,015 7,164,695

Area (ha)

Wetland of NLNP 2000.00 N/A 907,875,000 N/A 889,039



Figure 7: Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Summary map showing HCVA location,

conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA |boundaries and location of cities and municipalities

Key Activities

Program activities in Year 4 will include promoting work on the conservation areas in San Teodoro and

Victoria and setting up additional areas in the municipalities of Socorro and Pola. This will require an

integrated approach between Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Municipal Local

Government Units to strengthen the forest protection system for each conservation area. B+WISER will

emphasize mobilization of sustained funding for the protection activities in the conservation areas from

both existing and new funding sources. Potential funding opportunities include a DSWD-DENR-USAID

partnership in forest restoration and the Philippine-American Fund under the Gerry Roxas Foundation.

The Program will work intensively with local stakeholders to achieve sustainable financing for the forest

establishment, maintenance, and protection activities in the respective watersheds of Oriental Mindoro

and NLNP.

At the protected area and watershed levels, the conservation area level interventions will be

institutionalized through integration of conservation areas and targets and interventions in the Protected

Area Management Plan, watershed management plans and forest land use plans adopted by Protected

Area Management Board, DENR and the Provincial and Municipal LGUs.


Under the Behavioral Change Campaign, the Program will promote biodiversity conservation within

NLNP through presentations on key biodiversity messages with the help of flagship species mascot,

Papan, and B+WISER-trained EcoRangers. These activities will support improved protected area

management of the marshland habitat. Table 11 details the key activities per conservation area and

protected area level activities.

Table 11. Oriental Mindoro Watersheds and NLNP - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area


Victoria, San Teodoro, Baco, Naujan, Socorro

Identification of conservation targets and definition of desired future forest condition to be agreed upon with stakeholders and drafted into FMU plan describing corresponding interventions








Wetlands

Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous implementation of biodiversity protection system through fund allocation amounting to PhP 889,039 on an annual basis.




Facilitation of the establishment of a process for continuous improvement of biodiversity protection system through community discussions, PAMB meetings and national reporting on management strategies informed by data on observations gathered during patrols (such as zoning for production areas, support to biodiversity-friendly livelihood activities, etc.)

Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets and interventions for updating and enhancement of NLNP management plan focusing on the marshland habitat as Ramsar Wetland of International Importance

Facilitating PAMB adoption of conservation area package for integration in PAMP and DENR adoption of work packages for integration of tasks in AWFP

Protected area/watershed level

Facilitation of the establishment of a process for continuous improvement of biodiversity protection system in NLNP focusing on the conservation area of marshland habitat (585 ha) covering the municipalities of Naujan and Victoria through community discussions, PAMB meetings and national reporting on management strategies informed by data on observations gathered during patrols (such as zoning for production areas, support to biodiversity-friendly livelihood activities, etc.)


Conservation area


Facilitation of promotion/awareness of NLNP flagship species and its biodiversity importance in the management of the wetland conservation area through showcasing Papan mascot coupled with communicating key biodiversity messages by B+WISER trained EcoRangers.

Conduct seminars/presentations and workshops during the 25th Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium

Facilitation and technical assistance on the development of FLUP

Operationalization of the DSWD-DENR-USAID forest restoration partnership and capacity building of the beneficiaries on the proper NRM techniques through orientation-training and hands-on exercises


Critical Factors

In order to successfully implement the outlined strategies and activities in the identified conservation

areas in the watersheds surrounding NLNP, the following critical factors need to be considered:

Enabling/facilitating factors: The national park has a management plan and a management structure that is very responsive to the

technical assistance of the Program. Funding for the operation of the park, however, is very limited and

there is a need to develop user fee mechanisms and ecotourism initiatives that will generate revenues. In

the watersheds there is potential for developing Payment for Ecosystem Services mechanisms with the

presence of a hydro-energy power producer, such as the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. in

San Teodoro.

The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro supports B+WISER through active participation and

facilitating stakeholder partnership with the MLGUs. This has served as a catalyst in the effective

implementation of Program plans and activities.

Hindering/limiting factors:

The two main limiting factors in enhancing the management of the site are the lack of a management

structure and plan in the identified HCVA in the northern area of Oriental Mindoro, and the rebel activity

in some areas such as Puerto Galera.


ANNEX 6. QUINALI ‘A’ WATERSHED (QAW)

The QAW is located in one of the most vulnerable areas of the country. Results of the Program’s

vulnerability assessment show that at the current climate, up to 64 barangays are highly vulnerable to

flooding or draught and that by 2020 and 2050, highly vulnerable barangays will increase to up to 85.

Extreme rainfall resulting to rain-induced landslides primarily affect the mountain ranges and steep slopes

of Mt. Mayon. The rivers of the watershed show significant erosion along the banks, posing a threat to the

productive agricultural areas. These developments are fostered by forest loss in the last remaining natural

forest areas of the watershed at Mt. Mayon and Mt. Masaraga.


The assessment in QAW focused on forest cover change from 2003 to 2010. QAW recorded a forest

cover net loss of 195 ha from 2003 to 2010, from 7,352 ha to 7,152 ha. The loss was concentrated in the

municipality of Guinobatan, while forest cover increased around Mt. Mayon and at the fringes of QAW,

particularly in the municipalities of Oas and Libon.

The main threats to natural forests in QAW are illegal cutting of trees and fuelwood gathering. The annual

gross deforestation rate stands at 8.03%, while the net forest loss stands at 0.38%. Given these changes in

forest cover and the high vulnerability of the barangays in the watershed, the following conservation

targets have been proposed to the stakeholders:

Maintain natural forest cover in (a) the Geothermal reserve portions of Tiwi and Malinao; (b)

Mount Masaraga Watershed Forest Reserve of Polangui, Oas, and Ligao City; (c) Mayon

Volcano National Park in Ligao City, Guinobatan, and Camalig (estimated area: 3,290 ha)

Improve vegetation cover of identified critical areas along riverbanks to reduce erosion (estimated

area 3,000 ha)

Maintain or improve vegetation cover around springs that serve as source of potable water

(estimated area 200 ha)

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas as spatial focus have been delineated

using 2010 forest and municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 8 and their

data are summarized in Table 12. The estimated value of regulatory ecosystem services that is lost

annually is PhP 138,517,422, which was computed using the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation

Calculator of the MERFI. It will require PhP 2,667,117 per year to establish improved protection systems

in the conservation areas.

Table 12. QAW - Conservation Area Overview

Forested area


forest in ha, 2010)

Gross deforestation

rate



services (PhP)

Annual costs of conservation effort

(PhP)

Mt Mayon 2,906.44

8.03%

25,403,739 93,836,331 889,039

Mt Masaraga 1,383.93 12,096,240 44,681,091 889,039

River banks 1,600.00 6,864,000 889,039

Total 4,290.37 44,363,979 138,517,422 2,667,117


Figure 8. QAW Summary map showing conservation area location, riverbanks, forest cover

change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities

Key Activities

B+WISER activities for Year 4 will focus on establishing, strengthening and institutionalizing various

forest and biodiversity protection system components in the identified conservation areas at Mt. Mayon

and Mt. Masaraga.

Additionally, an erosion control monitoring system will be established using a tablet based app for the

riverbanks in the watershed to serve as an early warning system to address erosion.

Results of the vulnerability assessment will be integrated into resource management plans, particularly

Comprehensive Land Use Plans annual investment plans. These assessments will also inform

stakeholders to implement measures for vulnerability mitigation.

At the protected areas level, the conservation area level interventions will be institutionalized through

integration of conservation areas, targets and interventions in the Protected Area Management Plan


and protected areas level activities.


Table 13. QAW - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area










Riverbanks

Development of monitoring app and protocol for riverbank stabilization sites.

Capacitation of monitors on the use of CyberTracker for riverbank monitoring.

Capacitation of data managers on the use of GIS software for the riverbank monitoring system

Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous riverbank monitoring at PhP 889,039 on an annual basis.

Facilitation of the establishment of monitoring routine

Designing of data flow and reporting protocol which enables resource managers to identify and implement appropriate responses for erosion control

Facilitation of the establishment of a process for continuous improvement of riverbank monitoring through community discussions, LGU and WMC meetings

Protected area, watershed, and local government unit levels

Drafting of package for adoption by the WMC including measures for mitigating vulnerability

Integration of vulnerability mitigation measures into CLUP and investment plans

Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets for MVNP and MMWFR

Facilitating PAMBs adoption of conservation area package for integration in PAMP


Critical Factors

Critical factors that could either facilitate or hinder the enhancement of the management of QAW

include the following:

95% of the area of QAW is alienable and disposable land where the program has limited

options for program interventions

Provincial LGUs must play a pivotal role in promoting the integrated environmental

management approach so it is crucial to work with them

The province of Albay is currently receiving support from various donors and the national

government for natural resource management programs, which B+WISER activities could

build upon


ANNEX 7. NORTH NEGROS AND BAGO RIVER WATERSHED Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) and North Negros Natural Park (NNNP) host the largest portions

of terrestrial forest in Negros Island, covering a total of 39,002 ha. The two protected areas overlap

Bago River Watershed (BRW), which is among the ten most valued watersheds in the country. These

areas three high conservation value areas (HCVAs) are suffering from forest degradation, particularly

at the fringes. The HCVAs feature high congruence of suitable habitats for key species, including

seven threatened species and 71 endemic species of flora and fauna. Due to the current forest loss and

degradation of the habitats within the HCVAs and surrounding forest areas, improved protection must

be put in place to slow down and revert trends and improve overall forest conditions.


The forest in MKNP and NNNP is currently under pressure with large areas showing degradation

through change from closed forest in 2003 to open forest in 2010. The overall net negative change of

forest cover for the entire NNNP, MKNP and Bago River Watershed is 286.67 ha per year. The net

deforestation rate is at 0.7%, while the gross deforestation rate is at 1.66%. Deforestation and

degradation have also affected the identified HCVAs, representing a typical fringe degradation

situation as depicted in Figure 9. Forest degradation has been particularly heavy in Cadiz City,

Salvador Benedicto, Murcia, and Talisay City. Continued forest degradation towards forest loss would

have a significant negative impact on forest biodiversity and must be addressed. As such, the

following conservation targets were agreed upon by the stakeholders within MKNP, NNNP and Bago

River Watershed:

Avoid forest loss with a focus on Cadiz City, Bago City, San Carlos City, and Talisay City

Reduce forest loss outside the HCVAs by 50%

Improve the forest condition in degraded forest areas (both within and outside HCVAs)

within Bago City, San Carlos City, and Cadiz City.

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas have been delineated using 2010

forest and municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 9 and their data are

summarized in Table 14. Applying the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of MERFI,

the current net deforestation rate translates to a total annual loss of regulatory ecosystem service value

equivalent to PhP 212,240,187 in these conservation areas. In order to avoid or at least reduce forest

loss and corresponding ecosystem value loss, it requires PhP 6,767,173 per year to establish and

maintain improved protection systems.

Table 14. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area

Forest Cover (close and

open forest in ha, 2010)

Gross deforestation

rate



services (PhP)9


(PhP)10

Bago City 3,724.77

1.66%

1,465,035,840 24,319,594 889,039

Cadiz City 9,404.40 3,698,804,790 61,400,159 1,432,939

Talisay City 4,583.77 1,802,899,890 29,928,138 889,039

Silay City 4,387.43 1,725,505,830 28,643,396 889,039

San Carlos City 2,242.50 881,829,045 14,638,362 889,039

San Benedicto 3,268.47 1,285,377,930 21,337,273 889,039

Murcia 4,897.70 1,926,100,305 31,973,265 889,039

Total 32,509.04 12,785,553,630 212,240,187 6,767,173



Figure 9. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Summary map showing HCVA location,

conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities

Key Activities

Program activities will focus on establishing remaining conservation areas in Cadiz City, Talisay City,

San Carlos City, and Silay City, defining conservation targets and desired future forest conditions, and

establishing and strengthening the forest and biodiversity protection system for each conservation

area.

B+WISER will emphasize mobilizing sustainable funding for the protection activities in the

conservation areas from both existing and new funding sources. The Program will encourage local

government units (LGUs) to apply Payment for Ecosystem Services, leverage public-private

partnerships and corporate social responsibility, and allocate funds to support the management of the

conservation areas. The approved conservation area plan and forest management unit will serve as the

framework to allocate sustainable financing from the LGU.

At protected area level, the conservation area level interventions will be institutionalized through


adopted by Protected Area Management Board. Table 15 details the key activities per conservation

area and protected area level activities.


Table 15. North Negros and Bago River Watershed - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area


San Carlos City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Talisay City, Silay City, Salvador Benedicto Murcia









PA level

Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets for MNKP and NNNP



Review and assist set-up applicable fees as source of PA financing (e.g., hydroelectric facilities, tourism, etc.)

Critical Factors

In order to successfully achieve the Program targets in Northern Negros, the following critical factors

must be considered:

Enabling/facilitating factors:

Strong collaboration between and among LGUs in Environment and Natural Resources

management

Roles of the provincial government in mobilizing municipalities and cities in ENR management,

including protected areas and watersheds

High environmental awareness among civil society organizations and LGU environmental

officers

The PAMBs and the DENR are receptive to technical assistance provided by the Program

Hindering/limiting factors: Politics play a crucial part in the decision-making of the PAMB as most members are elected

officials who bring their individual interest in the protected area/watershed

Illegal structures established within NNNP remain unresolved and taking precedence on ELE

initiatives by LGUs


Lack of career path for protected area staff based on new Rationalization Plan, and high

dependence on staff secondment from other units of DENR to support protected area

management operations

Lack of clear agreement between the DENR and the provincial LGU regarding the roles of the

latter in protected area and watershed management


ANNEX 8. CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER BASIN, MOUNT KITANGLAD RANGE NATURAL PARK

(MKRNP), AND MT. KATATUNGAN RANGE NATURAL PARK (MKARNP) YEAR 4

WORK PLAN

MKRNP is one of the top performing protected areas in the country and one of the few that features gain

in terms of forest cover. The park and its counterpart, MKaRNP, form the headwaters of the Cagayan de

Oro River Basin, making protection of these areas important elements of integrated ecosystem

management of the river basin. B+WISER’s ecological assessment identified three HCVAs overlapping

with park boundaries of MKRNP and one HCVA covering the entirety of MKaRNP. Figure 10 shows the

location of the HCVAs vis-à-vis the boundaries of the parks.

Figure 10. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover change vis-à-vis

PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities


Both parks host critically endangered species, including the rare Mindanao brown dove (Phapitreron

brunneiceps) and the critically endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). Because these

species are particularly sensitive to forest degradation, they must be included in the monitoring protocol

as indicators of good forest quality, while species that are tolerant to disturbance will be used as indicators

of degraded forest.


MKRNP recorded a net gain in forest cover change between 2003 and 2010, which stands at an annual

rate of 1.34% vis-à-vis a gross annual loss rate of 0.34%. The conservation targets for the site, therefore,

hinge on the avoidance of forest cover loss and degradation within the protected area and the

improvement of the forest condition in degraded forest areas. MKaRNP features an annual forest loss of

0.56% during the same period of time, making stopping forest loss is priority for this park. This will be

achieved through the establishment of forest and biodiversity protection system in both parks.

The following conservation targets have agreed upon with local stakeholders:

No forest cover loss or forest degradation within the protected areas of MKRNP and MKaRNP

Improve forest condition in degraded areas in Libona, Baungon, and Talakag in MKRNP

Improve forest condition in degraded areas of MKaRNP

In order to achieve these conservation targets, conservation areas as spatial focus have been delineated

using 2010 forest and municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 10 and their

data are summarized in Table 16. If current forest protection activities in the park are stopped, the

estimated value of regulatory ecosystem services that would be lost is PhP 122,895,713 per year. This

was computed using the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of MERFI. In order to avoid

forest loss and corresponding ecosystem value loss, PhP 13,984,251 per year is required to establish and

maintain improved protection systems in the conservation areas.

Table 16. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area

Forest Cover (closed and open forest in ha, 2010)

Gross deforestation

rate



services (PhP)11


(PhP)12

Lantapan 12,571.75

0.36%

5,054,635,526 18,196,688 1,976,839

Libona 9,367.96 3,766,510,084 13,559,436 1,976,839

Baungon 4,611.39 1,854,069,284 6,674,649 889,039

Manolo Fortich 1,118.29 449,623,044 1,618,643 889,039

Malaybalay 3,056.70 1,228,985,956 4,424,349 889,039

Sumilao 4,092.11 1,645,286,784 5,923,032 889,039

Impasug-Ong 2,183.47 877,892,520 3,160,413 889,039

Talakag 7,633.91 3,069,314,074 11,049,531 1,432,939

Mt. Kalatungan 26,463.64 0.56% 10,408,745,025 58,288,972 4,152,439

Total 44,635.59 28,355,062,297 122,895,713 13,984,251

11 Value of ES that would be lost if forest protection activities are not continued. Based on USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation

Calculator of MERFI 12 Based on average forest and biodiversity protection system operation costs


Key Activities

B+WISER will focus on mainstreaming and institutionalizing the forest and biodiversity protection

system, Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes, and plans in the identified conservation areas in order

to attain long-term implementation for achieving and maintaining conservation targets. The Program will

also design the remaining conservation areas in Malaybalay, Sumilao, Impasug-ong, Talakag, and

MKaRNP.

During Year 4, the Program will strengthen forest and biodiversity protection system for each

conservation area, emphasizing the mobilization of sustainable funding for the protection activities from

both existing and new funding sources. The Program will work intensively with the local partners to

achieve sustainable financing of the forest protection activities.

At protected area level, the conservation area level interventions will be institutionalized through

integration of conservation areas, targets and interventions in the Protected Area Management Plan

adopted by Protected Area Management Board.

On the river basin level, the Program will facilitate the process of setting up a PES or PES-like scheme for

financing conservation efforts in the two parks.

Annex Table 17 details the key activities per conservation area and protected area level activities.

Table 17. CDO River Basin, MKRNP and MKaRNP - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area


Lantapan



Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous implementation of forest and biodiversity protection system through fund allocation amounting to PhP 1,976,839 on an annual basis.





Baungon



Facilitation of buy-in from DENR, LGU and other stakeholders to support continuous implementation of forest and biodiversity protection system through fund allocation amounting to PhP 1,030,166 on an annual basis.





Conservation area


Facilitation of the establishment of a process for continuous improvement of through community discussions, PAMB meetings and national reporting on management strategies informed by data on observations gathered during patrols (such as zoning for production areas, support to biodiversity-friendly livelihood activities, etc.)

Malaybalay, Lantapan, Baungon, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, Libona, Sumilao, Impasug-ong Mt Kalatungan









Protected area and river basin level

Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets for MKRNP




Facilitate process for establishment of PES/PES-like schemes covering the riverbasin and MKRNP and MKaRNP

Critical Factors

Facilitating factors

MKRNP is governed by a strong PAMB, which is receptive to the Program’s technical assistance.

Likewise, the protected area indigenous peoples’ communities proactively protect the park. LGUs

surrounding the protected area provide operational support, particularly to the Kitanglad Guard

Volunteers. The protected area is included in one of the priority sites of the Integrated Natural Resource

Management Program, and other donors, such as Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation

have selected MKNRP as target sites.

Limiting factors

MKaRNP in turn, does not have a strong PAMB and has a less organized forest guard system. Rebel

activities in the south-west of the MKNRP and within the entirety of MKaRNP hamper implementation of

interventions in these areas. In addition, the Cagayan De Oro river basin management council is not fully

functional.


ANNEX 9. MT. APO NATURAL PARK (MANP) YEAR 4 WORK PLAN

MANP features the highest peak in the Philippines. The Program’s ecological assessment identified three

high conservation value areas (HCVAs), two of which almost entirely encompass the Strict Protection

Zone (SPZ) within the municipalities of Kidapawan and Makilala and Davao City. The third HCVA,

found in Magpet, Arakan in North Cotabato and Davao City falls outside the protected area boundary. Of

the 13,249 ha combined HCVA size within the park, only 23%, or 3,061.09 ha, has closed canopy forest;

the rest is open forest. Approximately 1,034 ha of closed canopy forests are also found outside the

HCVA in the municipalities of Davao City, Magpet, and Kidapawan City.


Forests in MANP have been under continued pressure in recent years resulting in forest loss and

degradation. Due to degradation, as of 2010, the majority of the forest at Mt. Apo is classified as open

forest, totaling 14,748 ha, against 4,095 ha of closed forest. This situation is likewise reflected within the

identified HCVAs, where open forests cover 10,188 ha and 3,061 ha of forest are closed. The annual net

forest loss rate stands at 4.82% and the gross annual forest loss rate at 5.39%, which is among the highest

in protected areas in the Philippines. Figure 11 shows the severe forest loss in the protected area.

Figure 11. MANP Summary map showing HCVA location, conservation areas, forest cover

change vis-à-vis PA boundaries and location of cities and municipalities


In view of this forest change and the negative impact to biodiversity, the following conservation targets

have been proposed to the stakeholders in MANP:

No loss of forest cover within HCVAs in the Strict Protection Zone

No further degradation of forest within HCVAs in MANP

Reduce net loss outside the HCVAs by 30%, particularly in Bansalan, Digos, Sta. Cruz, and

Davao City

In order to achieve these targets, conservation areas as spatial focus have been delineated using 2010

forest and municipal boundaries. These conservation areas are shown in Figure 11 and their data are

summarized in Table 18. The estimated value of regulatory ecosystem services that is lost annually is PhP

571,005,281, which was computed using the USAID Ecosystem Value Estimation Calculator of MERFI.

It will requires PhP 5,731,756 per to establish and maintain improved protection systems in the

conservation areas.

Table 18. MANP - Conservation Area Overview

Conservation Area


forest in ha, 2010)

Gross deforestation

rate



services (PhP)


(PhP)

KMM Alliance 15,392.88

5.39%

6,054,366,060 326,330,330 2,520,739

Davao City 7,059.50 2,838,363,760 152,987,806 1,432,939

Sta. Cruz 3,000.00 1,206,189,000 65,013,587 889,039

Bansalan 1,230.83 494,871,220 26,673,558 889,039

Total 21,062.30 10,593,790,040 571,005,281 5,731,756

Key Activities

The Program will strengthen the forest and biodiversity protection system in the site by empowering

patrollers, data managers, and resource managers for each conservation area. These protection systems

require monitoring threats and biodiversity and response mechanisms.

B+WISER will emphasize mobilization of sustainable funding for protection activities in the conservation

areas from both existing and new funding sources. The Program will work intensively with local partners

to achieve sustainable financing of the forest protection activities.


integration of conservation areas, targets and interventions in the Protected Area Management Plan to be


and protected area level activities.


Table 19. MANP - Key activities by conservation area

Conservation area


KMM, Davao City, Santa Cruz, Bansalan





Facilitation of partnership arrangements with private sector organizations and IP communities to directly support continuous implementation of forest and biodiversity protection system through direct payments to patrollers.







Protected area level

Drafting conservation area package in view of conservation targets for MANP



Critical Factors

The critical factors that can either hinder or facilitate the improvement of the management of the park are

the following:

Facilitating factors

The LGUs, including barangays, exhibit their interest and commitment to contribute to the

effective management of the park through enhanced management within their territories.

Ecotourism guides and porters, community leaders, and members who will benefit from improved

forest and biodiversity management stay involved in the operationalization of forest and

biodiversity protection system.

Opportunities arise for private sector participation in forest restoration initiatives. The private

sector includes Geothermal plants (Energy Development Corporation and Hydroelectric

Development corporation) and water districts (Davao City Water District and Metro Kidapawan

Water District), private universities (particularly CMC), and other commercial establishments and

agro-industries.


Civil society organizations committed to biodiversity conservation serve as partners in setting up

the forest protection system. This includes the Philippine Eagle Foundation, an experienced

conservation organization and member of the PAMB.

Limiting Factor

Impoverished condition of forest occupants, coupled with population build-up inside the

protected area and the impending establishment of barangay Kapatagan as a municipality, can

escalate the threats to remaining natural forests and biodiversity rich areas.

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