(A Painstaking Approach OverThreats and Adversities)

II. THE AREA1. Site Profile

Geo- Location:•Mount Tapulao is located in the northeastern part of Palauig, Zambalesabout 25-30 kilometers from the town proper. It is bounded in the north bythe municipality of Masinloc, Zambales, in the south by the municipality ofIba, Zambales in the west by the municipality of Mayantoc, province ofTarlac.•The central portion of the Zambales Mountain RangeVisible from the National Highway going to and from the Municipality ofMasinloc•Area: 11,184 hectares•Elevation ranges from 900 to 2, 037 meters above mean sea level, thehighest peak in Central Luzon

The PineForest

View from the National Road

III. CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES(Decision on the Establishment of LCA )

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To protect and conserve the area To restore the denuded area To strengthen the partnership among

all stakeholders To increase level of awareness of all

stakeholders on protection andconservation management

Unregulated climb

PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL POLICIES ESTABLISHING MOUNT TAPULAO ASPROTECTED AREA, ECOTOURISM AND MINING FREE ZONE

• Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2008-27 – a resolution earnestlyrequesting President Glori a Macapagal Arroyo thru Secretary or thru the Secretaryof the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to declare amoratorium on the issuance of mining permits.

• Sangguniang Bayan Resoulution No. 015-2006 – Requesting the Department ofEnvironment and Natural Resources (DENR) thru the Regional Executive Director,Regidor de Leon to formally grant the LGU Palauig an authority and/or legalinstrument to jointly protect, maintain and develop with the said department,Mount Tapulao as a tourist destination.

• SB Resolution No. 019-2006 – expressing , manifesting and interposing strongobjection to whatever favorable action that any government, agency or office maygrant relative to any proposed mining activities of C-Square Mining and RealtyDevelopment Incorporated, or any mining concessionaire, firm or company, andother related entities.

• SB Resolution No. 046-2008 – declaring the whole area of Mt Tapulao particularly the17, 809.97 hectares as “Mining Free Zone”.

• Barangay Resolution 04-2011 – A resolution on the imposition of policies for MtTapulao Climbers.

• SB Resolution 36-2012 – approving Memorandum of Agreement with the Departmentof Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau(PAWB) and the Municipality of Palauig, Zambales.

• Regional Development Council Resolution 03-20-2008 Endorsing the proclamation ofMt Tapulao covering an area of 17,809 has as a protected area pursuant to RA 7586otherwise known as NIPAS Act of 1992

• The Protected Area Sustainability Assessment or PASA conducted in Mt Tapulao, ajoint project of DENR and HARIBON Foundation

New CAPP MOA Signing

IV. Processes Undertaken inEstablishing LCA Good Practice

Mount Tapulao Biodiversity Assessment

BIODIVERSITY RESULT1. Flora

a. Adequately stock of mossy and pine forest above 1900m.asl n and below this elevation is thick Dipterocarp Forest

b. Other vegetation types are Old Growth Forest (2,900ha). Second Growth Forest (892 ha), and Cogonal/Grassland(90 ha)

2. Fauna – total of 85 faunal species which composed of:a. 26 birds speciesb. 28 mammals speciesc. 8 herpetofauna speciesd. 4 freshwater speciese. 19 intervertebrate species

FLORA

FLORA

FAUNA

FAUNA

Out of the 66 vertebratespecies, 22 species (33%)are endemic to thePhilippines with 9 speciesrestricted to Luzon FaunalRegion. Some of thisincludes the newlydiscovered Rhynchomystapulao, 2 Apomys species,Flame Breasted Fruit Doveand Luzon Bleeding Heart.Four (4) of those species

are in threatened categoryor facing extinction.

New CAPP (Community Mapping)

Situational Analysis

DOT Ecotourism Strategic Planning

DOT-TIEZA Ocular/Assessment

Initiatives done by the LGU priorto New CAPP

Community Empowerment

Indigenous People – Sitio Dampay

Mount Tapulao Regulations Officers (Mountain Guides)(Basic Mountaineering Course conducted by Metropolitan Mountaineering Society)

Mount Tapulao Regulations Officers

V. Sustainability Mechanisms

VI. Lessons Learned

A. Success Factors

• Firm stand of the Municipality of Palauig to banmining activities

Visual interpretation of the proposedbird watching and glamorous camping (glamping)

Ecotourism development that would promote conservationand protection of the area

B. Challenges and Issues

Mount Tapulao- Palauig Side

Mt. Tapulao- Palauig side

Charcoal makingKainginHunting of wildlifeTimber poachingCharcoal productionFuelwood gatheringGathering of non-timber forests

productsExisting forest tenurial Instruments

Challenges and Issues

Confiscated wood from illegal loggers

Mining

VII. Recommendations for UpscalingLCA’s

Strong local policyStrong municipal ordinancesStable law enforcement that can withstand political

change Technical assistance thru trainings and seminars Financial assistance Proclamation of Mount Tapulao as a Local

Conserved Area

HABITAT

HABITAT

HABITAT

The Trail

The Summit