Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives

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ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO

Bantay Kalikasan volunteers get a better view of the Polillo Group of Islands where they con-

duct regular patrolling and biodiversity monitoring of the declared Local Conservation Areas

(LCAs), one of the remaining strongholds for Polillos important and unique flora and fauna.

(PIBCFI/Virtito Natural).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the following institutions for providing support for the devel-

opment of this case study: Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PIBCFI),

Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI), Global Environment Facility-

Small Grants Project-United Nations Development Programme, North of England Zoological

Society (Chester Zoo), DENR-PAWB National, Regional and CENRO Offices, Municipal and Ba-

rangay Local Government Units of Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan and Jomalig, Sa-

mahan ng Bantay Kalikasan ng Polillo (SABAKAP), Burdeos Bantay Kalikasan Brigade (BBKB),

Panukulan Bantay Kalikasan Association (PABAKA), ISLA Berde, Patnanugan Bantay Kalikasan,

and Jomalig Bantay Kalikasan Association (JOBAKA).


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APRIL 2013

Prepared by the Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PIBCFI) for

the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) under the Up-Scaling ForestRestoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project.

DISCLAIMER

This publication is made possible through the generous support of the American

People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The

contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the case study writerss and

PIBCFI, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States

SCALING-UP LOCAL CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

STORIES FROM POLILLO ISLANDS


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MESSAGE FROM

DENRIn this emerging era of climate change, environment and natural resources (ENR) around the

globe are threatened with destruction to an extent rarely seen in earths history. The mitigation

of the pernicious effects of climate change compels government, particularly us in the DENR,

to adapt an integrated approach to ENR planning and decision making.

Constructive engagement, international partnerships, and collaboration with the different

sectors of society are forged not only to brace up our limited resources, but more so to create

an enabling policy environment that would enhance institutional and regulatory capacities.

It is in this complicated and complex task of building partnerships with key stakeholders thatwe appreciate the role played by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). A

catalyst for cooperation, the FPE blazes trails in efforts to promote and encourage international

and local cooperation among NGOs, business groups, and communities towards developing

good policies and effective programs on biodiversity and sustainable management.

The case studies presented in this publication bear testament to FPEs leading role in

facilitating collaborations for sustainable development. Without the foundations assistance and

effort to involve key stakeholders cooperation, appropriate assessments regarding the current

conditions and trends of eight key biodiversity areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao would

not have been made. Our success, hence, in establishing reliable bases for developing goalsand strategies for future biodiversity and sustainable management interventions in these areas

can only be ensured with support from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

RAMON J. P. PAJEDENR Secretary


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MESSAGE FROMUSAIDThe realization of our shared vision of broad-based and inclusive growth is greatly

aided by enhancing environmental resilience and ensuring that the countrys bountiful

natural resources and life-giving ecosystems services are sustainably managed while

reducing the risk of disasters. The U.S. Government holds firm to its commitment to

help the Government of the Philippines to achieve this goal.

Expanding the network of environmental stakeholders and providing continued support

to local governments and communities on proper natural resource management are

crucial strategies to achieve this goal. With these in mind, our partnership with the

Government of the Philippines has yielded a large network of partners that engages

local communities and groups in biodiversity conservation and natural resource

management. We have helped empower our partners to be more involved in

decision-making leading to better management and protection of natural resources

that they depend on.

This publication captures the key strategies applied through the years that Up -scaling

Forest Restoration Project attempted to scale up in the last two years in eight key

forest areas of the country. Eight case studies feature committed forest guard

volunteers, lessons from science-based forest restoration efforts with indigenous

peoples, and partnership building among government, communities, and the private

sector to restore forest habitats and watersheds. This collection of stories is a

testament to the hard work of our partners, led by the Foundation for the Philippine

Environment, which collaboratively worked with local stakeholders to ensure that the

approaches employed, milestones achieved, and lessons learned from our forest

restoration efforts are carefully documented.

It is our hope that knowledge sharing through publications like this will become a

staple element in how we sustain our efforts in forest management. There is wisdom

from the grassroots, as we have valuably learned through our initiatives, which havesignificant impact at the national level. I invite you to read these stories and share

them with your network and other organizations working towards biodiversity

conservation and environmental resilience.

GLORIA D. STEELE

Mission Director, USAID/Philippines


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MESSAGE FROM

FPE

FPEs twenty-one years of working with partners to save forests and sustain life have borne fruit.

Eight (8) case studies documenting the progress and challenges in expanding forest

governance in key biodiversity areas (KBAs) are now available to the public.

The cases relate, among others, how our partner in Negros Occidental transformed a silent

subsistence community to active forest protectors; how planting native tree species revived

dying forests and earned income for farmers in Leyte; how synergistic partnerships among

various agencies accelerated watershed rehabilitation in Davao City; and how the concept of

social fencing in the provinces of Quezon and Laguna deepened the communities' collective

resolve and shared responsibility in guarding their forests for life.

These are testaments of progress in FPEs conservation support. But the mission of the

foundation is none more relevant than today, as scarcity of natural resources worsens hunger,

climate change brings collateral damage to conservation investments, and unbridled population

growth threatens the carrying capacity of our remaining forests. In almost all USAID-FPE

USAID-FPE Project sites, our partners continue to face the challenges of poverty, unsustainable

economic development, and fragmented or uncoordinated conservation initiatives.

Notably, this is the first time in many years that our long-time partners in conservation took the

initiative of assessing and documenting what strategies worked and what could still work tosustainably protect our forests in KBAs. This is a conscious attempt to create tools and

platforms for knowledge access and sharing.

All these interesting case studies constitute the second set of Kalikasan (Kaalamang Likas

Yaman) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development series, one of FPE's regular

publications. The first set describes the results of resource and socio-economic assessments in

selected KBAs. This second set combines best practices and lessons learned in forest

restoration efforts under the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project. All Kalikasan BCSD series are

packed with knowledge from projects and field experiences. FPE does not stop at merely

making beautiful publications, but endeavors to translate knowledge into action towards

improving our work and contribution to BCSD.

Allow me to congratulate our project partners, local government units in project sites and

USAID for making the case studies of the Up-Scaling Project possible. We hope our readers

distill the lessons to guide future actions for more effective forest restoration and hunger

alleviation.

NESTOR R. CARBONERAChair and CEO


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MESSAGE FROMPIBCFIThe Polillo Group of Islands is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the country. Literally

named to mean a beautiful Island with plenty of food, the Polillo archipelago supports a diverse

species of flora, fauna, and other natural resources. It is recognized as one of the globally

important conservation priority sites. It supports several unique and threatened species that need

urgent protection and conservation because of the continuing destruction of their habitats.

For almost a decade now, the Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PIBCFI)

has been in the forefront in implementing biodiversity conservation projects in the

Polillos. Through the years, we are very much thankful for the support provided to us by various

institutions.

We are also grateful for the support provided by the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID), through the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) for our

project on Up-Scaling Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas. This initiative has provided us

with opportunity to showcase the feasibility of the habitat restoration while providing additional

income to participating communities.

Our appreciation also to the Departmentof Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the

solidarity and support it extended in our quest to make a difference in conserving the amazing

biodiversity of Polillo Islands. More importantly, we would like to express our deepest

appreciation to local governments and communities in making all our conservation efforts feasible

and meaningful.

This case study is the culmination of almost a decade of experiences in working for biodiversity

conservation in Polillo archipelago and we are glad to share our simple stories.

NYMPHA P. SANTOSPresident


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KALIKASANThe BCSD

Knowledge Series of FPEKaalamang Likas Yamanor simply, KALIKASAN, is the publication series of the Foundation for the

Philippine Environment (FPE) on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (BCSD).

Kaalaman is the Filipino term for knowledge while Likas Yaman is the term for nature or natural

resources. Kaalamang Likas Yaman literally means knowledge of nature. As FPEs main thrust is

BCSD in key biodiversity areas of the Philippines, this series is essential in presenting and promoting

valuable theories, case studies, site assessments and best practices and other learning materials.

As Atty. Danny N. Valenzuela, FPE Chair and CEO (2010-2012), explains, That the work of theFoundation for the Philippine Environment on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development

has gone a long way in the past twenty years cannot be overemphasized. In fact, it has become

imperative for FPE to embark into an appropriate, meaningful and innovative knowledge

management systems in order to preserve and properly utilize the significant learnings out of its

various collaborations with partners in key biodiversity areas all over the country. As a major

repository of the knowledge base of FPE and its partners, KALIKASAN will serve as a series of

dynamic and enriching resource materials that will educate the readers, in particular those involved in

the environmental protection of key biodiversity areas, and equip them with both theoretical and

practical knowledge. Kaalamang Likas Yamanmay also refer to the richness (yaman)of natural or

intuitive knowledge (kaalamang likas). This is in recognition of the a priori knowledge of the people

of local communities in FPE areas of operation and concern, especially among the grassroots

communities and indigenous peoples, in environmental protection and conservation.

KALIKASAN seeks to serve as a comprehensive BCSD reference and research source while tapping

and augmenting the existing knowledge base of its partners, beneficiaries and communities. This is

the legacy of the current FPE leadership to the next generation of Filipino environmentalists who will

continue and further develop the current advocacies and endeavours of FPE and its partners.


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USAID-FPE PROJECTUp-Scaling Forest Restoration

Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas

For more than two decades, FPE has been at the forefront of biodiversity conservation and

sustainable development in the Philippines. FPE operates as a catalyst for cooperation, fund

facilitator, and grant maker in order to save species, conserve sites, and sustain communities.

Capitalizing on previous and existing forest restoration initiatives of its local site partners, FPE,

in partnership with USAID, implemented the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key

Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project from 2011 to 2013. This project seeks to address the

decline of the Philippine forests by strengthening the protection of approximately 170,000

hectares of forest habitats and reforesting a total of 480 hectares within 8 sites in the

bioregions of Cebu, Negros, Leyte (Eastern Visayas), Luzon and Mindanao. The project has

also instituted mechanisms to sustain conservation efforts and continuously affect a macro-

level of consciousness among stakeholders.

FPE supports its partners on sites in drawing lessons from projects and sharing results of

research and experiences. FPE considers the knowledge gathered and lessons learned by the

forest resource managers peoples organizations (POs), indigenous peoples organization

(IPOs), forest guards and wardens, and the communities themselves as one of its strategic

assets in improving methodologies, practices and systems toward BCSD.

In the Islands of Polillo, from Quezon province in Luzon, forest conservation has been

integrated in an island-wide environmental code, through the efforts of the Polillo Island

Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PIBCFI). Forest wardens have also been instituted

through the support of their municipal governments to protect remaining forests and flagship

species. The USAID-FPE project helped PIBCFI expand the scope of their on-ground

implementation, where there was a critical shift in protection efforts from LGU to community

level. This case study contains PIBCFIs efforts in improving initiatives in their local conservation

areas, leading to more concrete policies and programs for sustainability.


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PAGE i Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives Stories from Polillo Islands

TABLE OF CONTENTSACRONYMS ii

BEAUTIFUL ISLAND WITH PLENTY OF FOOD 2

BIODIVERSITY VALUES REVEALED 2

BIODIVERSITY IN PERIL 5

BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANCE RECOGNIZED 7

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION TRAILBLAZING 7

MOBILIZING MORE SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION 8

The Pioneering Local Conservation Area 9

Building Local Capacities to Manage LCAs 12

Consolidating and Expanding Conservation Momentum 12

SCALING UP CONSERVATION INITIATIVES 13

Mainstreaming Habitat Restoration in the Conservation Agenda 14

Habitat Restoration as an Opportunity for Organizational Strengthening 17

Demonstrating the Feasibility of Habitat Restoration 19

Habitat Restoration as a Source of Additional Income 20

Biodiversity Summit: The 1stof Its Kind 21

Knowledge Sharing 23

Testimonies from the Field 23

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCES AND WAY FORWARD 25

REFERENCES 29


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ACRONYMS

A & D Alienable & Disposable

AgF Agroforestry

ANR Assisted Natural Regeneration

BBKB Burdeos Bantay Kalikasan Brigade

BK Bantay Kalikasan

CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources Office

CLOA Certificate of Land Ownership Award

DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DENRO Deputy Environment and Natural Resources Officer

DOLE Department of Labor and Employment

FFI Flora and Fauna International

FPE Foundation for the Philippine Environment

H/FRes Habitat/Forest Restoration Sites

KBA Key Biodiversity Area

LCA Local Conservation Area

LGC Local Government Code

LGU Local Government Unit

MENRO Municipal Environment and Natural Resources OfficerMOA Memorandum of Agreement

NewCAPP New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project

NGO Non-Government Organization

PABAKA Panukulan Bantay Kalikasan Association

PAWB Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau

PBCFI Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Incorporated

PBCP Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Programme

PESP Polillo Islands Stewardship ProjectPIBCFI Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Incorporated

PTFCF Philippines Tropical Forestry Conservation Foundation

SABAKAP Samahan ng Bantay Kalikasan ng Polillo

SGP Small Grants Programme

UNDP-GEF United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility

USAID United States Agency for International Development


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Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives Stories from Polillo Islands1


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Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives Stories from Polillo Islands2

BEAUTIFUL ISLAND WITH PLENTY OF FOOD

Mention the word Polillo and many would associate it as a pathway of incoming and outgoing typhoons in the Philippines.

Located in the central east coast of Luzon mainland and facing the Pacific Ocean, is now creating a different reputation of itsown - that is a group of islands where success stories on biodiversity conservation are noteworthy. Arne Jensen, an international

expert on biodiversity monitoring has this to say about the place, Polillo biodiversity management appears to be one of the few

monitoring sunshine events we have in the country, both in terms of sustainability, involvement and conservation action

progress.

The term Polillo is derived from Chinese word Pu li lu, which means a beautiful island with plenty of food. Yes, it is indeed a

lovely island, because it is gifted with bounties of nature, some of which could not be found elsewhere in the world. Polillo is

composed of 27 small islands and islets, the reason why it is commonly called as the Polillo Group of Islands, or also popularly

known as the Polillo Islands. Others call it as the Polillos or Polillo Archipelago.

Five political units divide Polillo Islands in Quezon province. The mainland, the Polillo Island, is the biggest in the archipelago andcomprised of Polillo, Burdeos, and Panukulan municipalities. The second and third largest islands are the insular municipalities of

Patnanungan and Jomalig. Polillo and Patnanungan Islands are characterized by low elevations with gradual slopes and

interconnected river systems. Mount Malulod, about 350 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Polillo Islands, whereas

Jomalig Island is essentially a flat land. The total land area of the Polillos is estimated at 82,617.30 hectares. The location map

of Polillo Islands is presented in Figure 1.

BIODIVERSITY VALUES REVEALED

The Polillo Group of Islands is now getting known as one of the natural wonders of the Philippines, because it harbors diverse

species of flora and fauna that are unique to the Philippines and to this island group, in particular. A number of biological


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PAGE 3 Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives Stories from Polillo Islands

researches had been initiated by individuals and institutions who saw the potential of Polillo Islands in terms of biological

resources. Results of these studies have confirmed the importance of the Polillo Group of Islands as one of the priority

conservation areas in the Philippines. One of the major features of Polillo Islands is its remaining forests that are entirely

classified as lowland evergreen forests.

The natural landscapes and seascapes of Polillo Islands are composed of several ecosystems and habitats, from lowland

evergreen and mangrove forests, to aquatic and marine ecosystems, including unique limestone forests and unspoiled

islets and smaller islands (Figure 2). These habitats are refuge to several endemic species of plants and animals.

Several interesting species are named after the place, having been first discovered and recorded in Polillo Islands. These

species include the tiny Polillo forest frog (Platymantis polilloensis)and the colorful Polillo green-

scaled gecko (Pseudogekko smaragdinus). In addition, numerous other sub-species are

Figure 1. Location Map of Polillo Group of Islands

Source:

Gonzalez, J.C.T. and PCBCPI (2005) Preliminary Report on the Fauna Inventory of Priority

Sites in the Polillo Islands, Philippines (Mount Malulod, Macnit and Aluyon Forests)


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Figure 2. The Landscape and Seascape of Polillo Islands (PIBCFI file photo)


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known to exist only in this group of island, such as the Polillo tarictic hornbill (Penelopides manillae subnigra), Blue-naped

parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis hybridus), Blue-backed parrot (Tanygnathus sumatranus freeri), Crested goshawk

(Accipiter trivirgatus castroi), Polillo trogon (Harpactes ardens minor), Polillo greater flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus

grandis),andthe Polillo white-browned Shama (Copsychus luzoniensis parvimaculatus). Some important genera of plants

are Pandanus, Canarium, Grewiaand Gnetum. Figures 3 shows one of the species found in the Polillos.

BIODIVERSITY IN PERIL

Unfortunately some species listed in Polillo Islands are now at the brink of extinction in the wild, since they are already

classified as threatened species under the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN-World Conservation Union. These

species are the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), Blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), Luzon

bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), Red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), Butaan monitor lizard (Varanus olivaceus), Polillo

forest frog (Platymantis polilloensis), Philippine brown deer (Cervus mariannus), Philippine warty pig (Sus philippensis),

Figure.3 Philippine dwarf kingfisher, a threatened spices found in the Polillo Group

of Islands (PIBCFI/Virtito Natural, Jr.)


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Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

The Polillo Islands were thickly forested before, and its mangrove and coral reefs were quite extensive in the early

1900s. However, massive commercial logging between the 1950s and 1980s has reduced the forest cover of the group of

islands. Roughly, only about 19% of the Polillo Islands total land area remains forested today. Much of the forests found in the

area are already fragmented. These forest fragments and their undergrowth are clustered into blocks, particularly found in

northern, central and southern of Polillo mainland and Patnanungan Island.

The Polillo municipality accounts for about 46% of the total forest cover of Polillo Islands, the largest across all

municipalities, followed by Burdeos and Patnanungan, each with almost 18% of the total. Mangroves are situated along the

coastlines of five municipalities and the most extensive is found in Burdeos, due to a number of islands in its jurisdiction. Marshesor wetlands, covered with grassy vegetation, can also be found in Jomalig.

Most formerly forested areas in Polillo Islands

have since been converted into human

settlement and permanent agriculture,

particularly coconut plantations, while

most of the few remaining forests

are secondary, fragmented, and

otherwise disturbed. Almost

54% of the Polillos total land

area is already devoted tococonut plantation and

13% is cultivated with

assorted crops. The

continued attrition


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of these forest fragments, through slash-and-burn cultivation, coupled with unregulated cutting of trees, hunting, and other

unsustainable extraction of forest products, poses further severe threats to the biologically important species and habitats in Polillo

Islands, especially the lowland forest. Residents in Polillo Islands are still relying on the remaining natural forest for timber and fuel

wood requirements. Table 1 presents the different land cover types of Polillo Islands.

The economic activities in Polillo Islands are basically resource-based. Farming and fishing are main sources of income of most

of the residents. Some residents also resort to harvesting of forest products to augment their meager income, especially when

farming and fishing are not feasible, particularly during October, November, January, and February. Freshwater and mangrove

resources also provide additional livelihood. Some mangrove forests are converted to establish nipa plantation for lambanog

production.

Prior to the implementation of some conservation initiatives in the area, the insufficiency of available resources and support, lack

of capacity and technical expertise, and absence of appropriate institutional arrangements to effectively protect and manage the

remaining forests seriously aggravated the situation. Awareness on the biodiversity importance of Polillos was very low then, and

local governments were not also fully engaged in implementing conservation measures.

LAND COVER

TYPESPOLILLO BURDEOS

PANUKU-

LAN

PATNANUN-

GANJOMALIG TOTAL

Clouds 46.7 324.8 24 0 0 395.5

Shadows 31 152.7 29.8 0 0 213.5

Water bodies 0.6 5.4 5.1 0.8 7.6 19.5

Coastal habitats 91.4 216.2 153.4 140.1 106.5 707.6

Mangroves 816.6 1,989.10 1,227.10 994.6 91.2 5,118.60

Marshes 0 0 0 0 144.2 144.2

Grassland/ Bare soil 766.7 641.8 426.5 863.2 2,543.30 5,241.50

Cultivated areas 3,192.90 3,166.60 2,379.50 1,438.80 378.8 10,556.60

Forests 7,384.60 2,845.10 2,075.30 2,837.90 795.6 15,938.50

Coconut

plantations15,933.70 10,939.60 12,715.50 3,439.10 1,253.90 44,281.80

TOTAL 28,264.30 20,281.30 19,036.20 9,714.50 5,321.10 82,617.30

Table 1. Land Cover Types of the Polillo Groups of Islands by Municipality

Source:

De Alban, Jose Don T. (2007). Spatial Profile of Local Conservation Areas in the Municipality of Polillo,

Quezon Province, Philippines: A Final Report. Pioneering Community-based Conservation Sites in the

Polillo Islands Project. Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. Unpublished


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BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANCE RECOGNIZED

No less than the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

recognized the biodiversity significance of the Polillo Group of Islands. In a priority setting, this island group has been included in

PAWBs List of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) of the Philippines. On the other hand, the Haribon Foundation, with Birdlife

International, also included the Polillo Islands as one of the Key Conservation Sites and Endemic Bird Area in the Philippines.

However, because of its isolation from the mainland Luzon, the Polillo Group of Islands seemed to be left out from the attention

Source:

De Alban, Jose Don T. (2007). Spatial Profile of Local Conservation Areas in the Municipality of Jomalig, Quezon Province,

Philippines: A Final Report. Pioneering Community-based Conservation Sites in the Polillo Islands Project. Polillo Islands Biodi-

versity Conservation Foundation Inc. Unpublished

Figure 4. Location Map of Polillo and Panukulan Watershed Reservation (Source: DENR Re-


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Figure 6. The declared Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) within mainland Polillo

Source

Figure 5. Annual Tarictic Festival (Liza Dans/PIBCFI)


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and priority of concerned national government agencies in terms of environment and natural resources management in the past,

in spite the declaration of three sites as supposedly protected areas. The forest reserves declared in Polillo Island are the two

watershed reservations (Figure 4) in Polillo and Panukulan municipalities and the Minasawa Island Game Refuge and Birds

Sanctuary in Burdeos. These three sites have no clear institutional arrangements in place for their effective management.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION TRAILBLAZING

The significance and associated threats to the biodiversity of Polillo Islands have prompted the Philippines Biodiversity

Conservation Programme (PBCP), formerly administered by the Flora and Fauna International (FFI) and now by the Philippines

Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI), to launch the Polillo Islands Stewardship Project (PESP). The PESP was

conceived in the late 1990s as a practical approach in implementing wildlife and habitat protection in the area, when wildlife

hunting and trade were rampant. With funding support from the Chester Zoo, the PESP was also designed to increase local

awareness activities, and assist research on key species and habitats.

The initiation of the PESP gained broader interest on the biological worth of the Polillos, and later on attracted the attention ofother local and international researches and conservationists, including a series of expeditions jointly conducted by the University

of the Philippines Los Baos and Oxford University, survey on the distribution and status of the Polillo tarictic hornbill, field studies

on Butaan monitor lizard, long-term monitoring of the Philippine cockatoo and other biological surveys and initiatives.

The PESP mobilized some community volunteers to implement biodiversity monitoring and protection in the municipality of

Polillo. It also carried out numerous conservation awareness activities, using the available scientific data in informing local

governments and communities on how important the Polillo Islands is in biodiversity conservation, especially with the presence of

endemic species in the islands. Highlighting local species in conservation awareness gained the support of stakeholders, which

eventually led to the adaption by the Polillo municipality of the Annual Tarictic Festival (Figure 5).

The implementation of the PESP has led to the development of the Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Programme, andeventually the organization of the Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PIBCFI), which was primarily aimed in

instituting a more structured delivery of conservation outcomes in the Polillo Islands. It should be noted that prior to the formation

of PIBCFI in 2003, no single organization was focusing on biodiversity conservation in the Polillos, particularly on terrestrial

ecosystems. The PESP later evolved as the Polillo Islands Biodiversity Protection and Monitoring Project with continuing support

from the Chester Zoo. Figure 6 presents the different conservation initiatives implemented in Polillo Islands.

MOBILIZING MORE SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION

The urgent need to respond to conservation to conservation challenges in Polillo Islands has motivated the PIBCFI, in partnership

with PBCFI, to mobilize broader support to implement conservation projects. One of the key concerns then was the development

of institutional mechanism that would ensure the effective management of biologically important sites in the island group, since

most of these sites were open access. It was by this account that PIBCFI explored alternative management modality that would

provide more responsibility to local governments in responding to conservation issues and concerns.

THE PIONEERING LOCAL CONSERVATION AREA

A major project, entitled Pioneering Community-Based Conservation Sites in the Polillo Islands, was developed and implemented

in 2005 to 2008, with funding support from the Darwin Initiative, through FFI and PBCFI. The project enabled and facilitated the

implementation of what is now popularly known as the Local Conservation Areas (LCAs).

The LCA concept was coined by the principal author of this paper, who was then providing technical assistance in the


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Butaan Research Project with Dr.

Daniel Bennett Original research on

Grays monitor (Varanus olivaceous) in

Sibulan Watershed in Polillo Island,

especially its role in the survival anddispersal of Pandanus, Canarium, Grewia

and Gnetum seeds (1999-2009)

Date Started

Polillo Ecology

Stewardship Project

funded by North of

England ZoologicalSociety, Chester Zoo

(1998-2008)

Pioneering

Community Based

Conservations Sites

in the Polillo Islands

Project funded by

Darwin Initiatives

(2005-2008)

Supported by Darwin

Initiative in collaboration

with Flora and Fauna

International

PESP Phase 2:

Polillo Islands

Biodiversity

Conservation and

Monitoring

Programme

with funding support

from the North of

England Zoological

Society (NEZS)

Oxford-UPLB

Research within the

Polillo Group of

Islands gives

sparked furtherinterest on

biodiversity of the

Polillo Group of

Islands

Figure 6. Timeline on projects implemented

by PIBCFI since 2003

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

Pior to 2003 2005 2008

Aquatic Surve

Burdeos Mun

North of England

Society, Cheste

2008)

Philippine Cockatoo

Monitoring with Katala

Foundation, Inc (2005 to present)


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Enhancing

Community

Participation in

Habitat Protection

and Restoration in

the Polillo Group of

Islands

(ECPHPRPGI)

Project with funding

support from Global

Environment Facility-

Small Grants

Programme-United

Nations Development

Programme (GEF-SGP-

UNDP)

Integrated Support

for the Lowland

Forest

Conservation

(ISLAND) Project

funded by PhilippineTropical Forest

Conservation

Foundation (2008-

2009)

New Conservation

Areas in the

Philippines funded by

United Nations

DevelopmentProgramme and Global

Environmental Facility in

cooperation with

Department of

Environmental and

Natural Resources

(2010-2012)

Up-Scaling Forest

Restoration Efforts

in Key Biodiversity

Areas with support from

the United States Agency

for International

Development (USAID)

and the Foundation for

the Philippine

Environment (FPE)

2009 2010 2012 2012

n Polillo and

alities with

ological

o (2006-

Polillo Islands Biodiversity

Surveys with UPLB Museum of

Natural History (2006-2008)

Coral Reef Resource

Assessment and

Management

Recommendations, Polillo

Islands, Philippines with CoralCay Conservation (2006)


24/48


implementation of the Darwin supported project, as an

alternative scheme to nationally-driven management system

of natural resources. It should be noted that while three sites

in Polillo Island have been nationally declared as reservations,

they still lack effective protection measures from destructive

activities.

The opportunity accorded by the Local Government Code

(LGC) had been maximized by the project to facilitate in

setting up the first ever network of LCAs, identified and

agreed in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders and

managed by concerned local governments. This project has

facilitated the declaration of 10 separate LCAs, totaling about

7,000 hectares (Figure 7).

The LCA scheme was formally initiated in November 2007

via the concurrent issuance of local government ordinances

by all three municipalities in the mainland Polillo. The

numerous studies conducted in the Polillos became the basis

in identifying potential sites to be declared as LCAs. The

declaration of these sites followed a consultative process

involving affected communities. The LCA Ordinances issued

by the three municipalities in Polillo Island have been affirmed

and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon

province. Figure 8 presents the procedures implemented in

the declaration of LCAs.

The major contribution of LCA was the development of an

innovative and far more localized system of natural resources

management. The LCA offers more ownership to local

stakeholders and thus increases the prospects of effective

enactments of agreed conservation management priorities.

The establishment of LCAs provided a likely longer-term

sustainability of these interventions, through key funding

mechanisms and other provisions of the covering municipal

government ordinances, specifically tailored to address

priority concerns identified and agreed during prior

consultative processes. The salient features of the LCA

included the following:

Delineation of sites declared as LCAs with specific

technical descriptions;

Acceptance and incorporation of any prior right

Figure 7. The 10 declared LCAs within mainland Polillo


25/4814

(i.e. areas within LCAs covered by existing legal

private land titles, stewardship contracts and other

valid and legitimate resource use rights), while

nonetheless also requiring that all activities in these

areas conform to the management plan preparedfor each site through creating formal partnership

agreements with prior rights holders designed to

enable the cooperative management and

protection of the tenured areas;

Formal establishment of LCA Management Council

in each municipality to serve as the requisite (but

previously non-existent) local management

authority; each of which councils are co-chaired by

the municipal mayor and DENR officer, but must

also include council member representatives fromall relevant local NGOs and POs;

Development and implementation of detailed

management plan for each declared LCA and

which also define any necessary management

zones, like the strict protection or core areas any

other limited use areas per essential for local

community livelihood requirements and land tenure

agreements;

Definition of prohibited activities and corresponding

penalties and policing mechanisms; and

Establishment of relevant financing mechanisms,

like annual LGU budgetary allocations.

Even more importantly, and almost certainly uniquely in the

Philippine context, the identification and subsequent

declaration of these LCAs was firmly centered on both region-

wide and site-based biodiversity surveys, led by the most

experienced local field research biologists. The new LCA

network was not only established on the basis of sound

scientific criteria, but was also designed to optimize local

social acceptability and stakeholder ownership.

The declaration of LCAs also resulted in the rapidly expanding

number of Bantay Kalikasan members who were actively

engaged and trained for forest protection, restoration, and

biodiversity monitoring in the three municipalities. All of these

operations were not only fully supported by the three LGUs,

but also supported by other counterpart funds raised by

PBCFI and PIBCFI from various institutions.

BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITIES TO

MANAGE LCAS

The Philippine Tropical Forestry Conservation Foundation-

supported Integrated Support for the Lowland Forest

Conservation (ISLAND Project) has further enhanced

conservation initiatives in the Polillos. Through this project,

which was implemented from October 2008 to December

2009, some provisions of the ordinances declaring the LCAs

were implemented, especially the formation and capacity

building of each LCA Management Council in the

municipalities of Polillo, Burdeos, and Panukulan.

The ISLAND Project further supported the initial operations of

the Management Councils, including the formulation of their

manual of operations and strategic action plans. Moreover,

the PTFCF-funded project reached out to the members of the

Bantay Kalikasan and has assisted them to be organized in

the three mainland municipalities. These BK organizations are

the Samahan ng Bantay Kalikasan in Polillo (SABAKAP),

Burdeos Bantay Kalikasan Brigade (BBKB) and Panukulan

Bantay Kalikasan (PABAKA).

CONSOLIDATING AND EXPANDING

CONSERVATION MOMENTUM

The momentum achieved in biodiversity conservation in Polillo

Islands has further attracted the attention of other institutions.

In 2010, the Polillo Group of Islands has been identified as

one of the pilot sites for the implementation of the project

known as the Expanding and Diversifying the National System

of Terrestrial Protected Areas in the Philippines Project of the

DENR, through the PAWB, with funding support from theUnited Nations Development Programme Global

Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF). The project, which was

later on renamed as the New Conservation in the Philippines

Project (NewCAPP), was designed to explore various

modalities in managing the different KBAs of the country.

One of the most important contributions of the NewCAPP was

the establishment of conservation landmarks through the

boundary delineation of the declared LCAs in the Polillo


26/48


mainland and the expansion of three additional LCAs in the municipalities of Patnanungan and Jomalig. The project further

enhanced the management capacities of LGUs in ensuring the management sustainability of LCAs, while providing support to

the institutionalization of community-based biodiversity protection and monitoring.

The NewCAPP has developed and implemented another pioneering effort in the Polillos, with the introduction of Evidenced-

Based Biodiversity Monitoring. This monitoring scheme involves local communities who are trained to establish monitoringstations and to implement protection activities in the different LCAs. Figure 9 shows the different steps being undertaken by the

BKs in monitoring destructive forest activities in Polillo Islands.

Another complimentary effort was introduced in 2012, through the Enhancing Community Participation in Habitat Protection and

Restoration in the Polillo Group of Islands Project, with support from the UNDP-GEF Small Grant Programme. The project

enabled the expansion of community-based biodiversity protection system in Patnanungan and Jomalig. To date, there are more

than 50 volunteers in the two municipalities and are already active in implementing forest protection measures. The three Bantay

Kalikasan groups in Polillo mainland have moved forward to become Peoples Organizations with complete set of officers and

operational systems and procedures. These BK members were trained and deputized as Environment and Natural Resources

Officers (ENROs) of the DENR.

Figure 8. Process declaration of Local Conservation Areas (LCAS)


27/4816

To ensure coordination of the different community volunteers from five municipalities, the UNDP-GEF-SGP project facilitated the

formation of an island-wide coordinating body of the Bantay Kalikasan. This coordinating body ensures that activities of the BKs

are within the scope of authority provided with them as DENROs. The operations of these BK groups are also supported by local

governments, through provision of modest monthly honorarium and operational funds. The BKs are conducting regular

monitoring of the different declared LCAs.

SCALING UP CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

The conservation initiatives in the Polillo Islands have scaled up with the introduction of a project that would implement direct

forest and habitat restoration, while providing additional income to local communities. One of the key concerns in the Polillos is

the fragmentation of the remaining forest. In addition, agricultural development in the area is intensive and therefore it

necessitates the demonstration of technologies that would balance agriculture and forestry or popularly known as agro-forestry.

With funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Foundation for the


28/48


Philippine Environment (FPE), PIBCFI has againembarked in a milestone that further scaled up

conservation initiatives in the Polillo Group of Islands.

MAINSTREAMING HABITAT

RESTORATION IN THE

CONSERVATION AGENDA

The main objective of the Up-Scaling Forest

Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas is the

establishment of forest and habitatrestoration, and PIBCFI

mainstreamed this activity to

the over-all conservation

agenda in the Polillo Group of

Islands, as presented in the

H a b i t a t R e s t o r a t i o n

Framework (Figure 11).

It should be noted that the

establishment of LCAs in

Polillo Island served as themain backdraft of all other

conservation efforts. Aside

from protecting the remaining

habitats and species, there is also a need

to rehabilitate the denuded portions of the declared

LCAs. Therefore,

it necessitates the

fo rma t ion o f

groups that will

ensure the long-

term protection

and restoration of

forest habitats in

the area.

The di f ferent

Bantay Kalikasan

groups have been

mobilized for this

purpose. USAID-FPE

project provided the necessary capacity building, not

Reporting

Monitoring

Documentation

Figure 9 Steps undertaken by the BKs in monitoring

destructive forest activities in Polillo Islands (Alex P.

Acuna/Virtito Natural, Jr., PIBCFI)


29/4818

only on technical aspects, but including the management and

financial considerations for habitat restoration. During the

training on habitat restoration (Figure 10), the BKs prepared

their action plan and developed criteria for the selection of

cooperators for the establishment of restoration sites.

The project has adopted two major approaches in the

implementation of the habitat restoration, and these are the

Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and agro-forestry

technologies. The ANR was the preferred approach in habitat

restoration since most of the sites intended for rehabilitation

were already secondary growth and sparsely vegetated. On the

other hand, agro-forestry was designed to demonstrate the

feasibility of combining both forestry and agriculture in upland

development.

To implement the agro-forestry component of the project,

PIBCFI, in consultation with BK groups, came out with sets of

criteria for the selection of farmer-cooperators. The farmer-

cooperators should have valid land tenure over the area they

actually cultivate, the first criterion identified by the project. It

should be noted that some portions of the declared LCAs are

covered with Certificate of Stewardship Contracts (CSCs) under

the Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP) of the DENR,

which was devolved to the provincial government.

The criterion on land tenure is very essential so that the farmer-

cooperators will have ownership of the established agro-forestry

and they would be eligible for sustainable harvesting. The two

other criteria in agro-forestry development are the willingness of

farmer-cooperators to engage in the project and must belong

to the low-income bracket One of the purposes of the project

was also to augment the income of farmer-cooperators.

HABITAT RESTORATION AS AN

OPPORTUNITY FOR

ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHENING

There are three established Bantay Kalikasan organizations in the Polillo mainland and these are the Samahan ng Bantay

Kalikasan ng Polillo, Burdeos Bantay Kalikasan Brigade and Panukulan Bantay Kalikasan Association (PABAKA). At the end of

2012, there are 60 BKs in mainland Polillo, 45 of them have been deputized as Deputy Environment and Natural Resource

Officers by the DENR.

The BK groups are spread out in the 23 barangays where the different LCAs are located. They are monitoring the more than

7,000 hectares of lowland dipterocarp forest. Additional 50 BKs for the neighboring municipalities of Patnanungan and Jomalig

are also applying as DENROs. The USAID-FPE Project has provided the necessary equipment and materials to support the

operations of the Bantay Kalikasan members.

Establishment of Local Conservation Area

Formation of Bantay Kalikasan Association

Registration as a Peoples Organization

Capacity building on Habitat Restoration Establishment

(FRes)

Selection process for farmer cooperators

Selection of Habitat/

Forest Restoration Sites (FRes)

Figure 10. The Habitat Restoration Framework


30/48

The habitat restoration further provided sense of organizational

belonging to each of the BK association in the three

municipalities of Polillo mainland. The project has provided

opportunities to BK members in collective planning,

implementation and monitoring of the different activities,

especially so that habitat restoration has two major components Assisted Natural Regeneration and Agro-Forestry.

To ensure the effective implementation of the habitat

restoration, the project provided relevant trainings to the

members of the BK. It should be noted that these trainings did

not only provide technical skills on habitat restoration but also

included aspects related to project management. During the

training, each of the BK groups prepared an action plan on

how to deliver the required outputs and developed operational

systems in project management, including proper financial

administration. The three BK groups in the Polillo mainland arealready recognized by local government units.

DEMONSTRATING THE FEASIBILITY

OF HABITAT RESTORATION

The implementation of this project has demonstrated a

systematic approach in habitat restoration using ANR and agro-

forestry technologies. It should be noted that prior to this

project, tree planting activities have been carried out in different

areas of Polillo Islands, but they were implemented sporadicallyand no long-term sustainability mechanisms were in place,

resulting to the low survival of planted trees.

The different BK associations were mobilized to implement the

habitat restoration of the USAID-FPE Project. The project

implementation commenced with the development of habitat

restoration action plan by each BK group in Polillo mainland.

One of the innovative approaches implemented by the project

was the conduct of suitability assessment in targeted areas for

ANR. Sites selected for this purpose were abandoned kaingins,denuded portions of watersheds and sparsely vegetated areas.

The suitability assessment was first carried out to determine the

species requirements of selected sites. This is to ensure that

the species planted in habitat restoration sites are those thriving

in the area.

The species selection was done through inventory of available

species in the targeted site and its adjacent areas. On the

process of species inventory, the BK groups also identified

sources of planting materials. Another component of suitability

assessment was the selection of forest nursery site where water


31/48

source is readily available. Species selection for habitat

restoration did consider a variety of species to be

planted, including food plants for wildlife.

List of available species was prepared by each BK

association. The main idea of habitat restoration under

this project in Polillo is to bring back what the forestlooked like before in selected sites. Each BK group in

three municipalities of Polillo Island established forest

trees nursery where growth chambers (Figure 11) for

seedlings were also constructed. Only native and

indigenous tree species were produced for ANR.

Each BK association further constructed a bunk house

adjacent to their forest trees nursery, which not only

helps them in habitat restoration activities but also serves

as venue for organizational activities such as trainings and

meetings. The local government unit of Polillo, Burdeosand Panukulan provided a counterpart fund for the

construction of these bunk houses.

By the end of 2012, BK members in the Polillo mainland

municipalities were able to establish the pioneering ANR

for a total area of 36 hectares, exceeding the target 30

hectares. Thirteen farmer-cooperators were also selected

to implement agro-forestry and they were able to

establish a total of 31 hectares of demonstration sites.

The farmer-cooperators have been trained and assistedby BK members in the establishment of agro-forestry

sites. Each cooperator has executed a partnership

agreement with PIBCFI and the concerned BK

association for the establishment, maintenance and

monitoring of agro-forestry demonstration sites.

HABITAT RESTORATION AS A

SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL

INCOME

The USAID-FPE Project further demonstrated that habitat

restoration is indeed a potential source of additional

income for communities. Although the project only

covered 60 hectares, it already showed its potential of

providing direct economic benefits to project participants.

It can only be assumed that more individuals will be given

additional incentives if the area covered by the project

shall be extended.

A total of 46 Bantay Kalikasan members have beenFigure.11 Growth chambers constructed to house indigenous tree species as

nting materials for the habitat restoration establishments (Rosalie Pasibe/ FPE)


32/48


involved in production of planting materials and establishment of habitat restoration sites. Their baseline income for the month

ranges from Php 500, being the lowest, to Php 5,000, as the highest (Table 2 and Figure 12). These BKs are volunteers who

receive monthly honorarium of Php 150 to Php 500 from the local governments.

Majority of Bantay Kalikasan (BK) members, with a total of 26 individuals, have a monthly income ranging from Php 2,300.00 to

Php 3,199.00, accounting to 57% of the total participating BKs, while seven BK members fall between the income ranges of

Php 500.00 to Php 1,399.00. Additional

seven participating BKs have a monthly

income from Php 1,400.00 to Php

2,299.00 and four others have monthly

income from Php 3,200 to Php 4,299.00.Only two BKs have a monthly income from

Php 4,300.00 to Php 5,198.00.

Following the establishment of habitat

restoration activities, there was a noticeable

increased income among 46 participating

BKs, as shown in Table 3 and Figure 22

Monthly income in Php Frequency

500.00-1,399.00 7

1400.00-2,299.00 7

2,300.00-3,199.00 26

3,200.00-4,299.00 4

4,300.00-5,198.00 2

Total 46

% Increase 28-151 152-275 276-399 400-523 524-647 648-771

Number of BK7 20 4 4 0 1

Percentage 19.44% 55.56% 11.11% 11.11% 0.00% 2.78%

Source: Polillo Islands Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Incorporated. (2012). Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key

Biodiversity Areas Project Fourth Quarter Report. Unpublished


33/4822

Majority of BKs have increase of 152-275% on monthly income. On the average, each BK has an income increase of 183%.

BIODIVERSITY SUMMIT: THE 1ST

OF ITS KIND

One significant event that occurred during the implementation of the USAID-FPE project was the holding of the 1 st Polillo Group

of Islands Biodiversity Summit. The affair maybe considered as one historic event in Polillo Islands since it was the first time that

representatives of key stakeholders convened to discuss biodiversity initiatives, challenges and directions. The delegations

comprised of representatives from LGUs, NGOs, POs and concerned national agencies. Leading the participants to the

biodiversity summit were none other than the local chief executives of the five municipalities municipalities of Polillo Group of

Islands.

The summit provided a venue for the different stakeholders to discuss challenges and the associated recommendations (Table 4)

on biodiversity for each of the municipality. During the event, participants came up with a mutually agreed framework of

cooperation and coordination in addressing biodiversity issues and concerns. In particular, the summit was able to achieve the

following: (a) Presented the biodiversity importance of the Polillo Group of Islands as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA); (b) Identifiedissues and concerns that needs to be addressed in terms of biodiversity conservation and management; (c) Provided a venue for

the sharing of various conservation strategies, models, experiences, and lessons learned within the Polillo Group of Islands; (d)

Discussed opportunity for funding on conservation initiatives within the PGI; and (e) Drafted the Polillo Group of Islands

Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Action Plan (PGIBCSAP). Another significant achievement of the summit was the agreement to

organize the Polillo Group of Islands Environment and Natural Resources Management Council, which will bind together the five

LGUs and other relevant stakeholders in one management body primarily to focus on the biodiversity conservation of this group


34/48


ISSUES IDENTIFIED/REFLECTIONS INITIAL RECOMMENDATION(S)/ INPUTS/

COMMITMENTS

DAY 1

1. Insufficient IRA Recognition of assistance from the NGO/PO partners of

LGUs

LGUs to strategize on having additional income as

reinforcement to IRA

2. Priority on inclusion and use of ENR

data in preparation of CLUP

Concentration of most LGUs

development plans is in infrastructure

projects

Comprehensive water use plan (i.e.

Sanctuaries)

Pursuance of environmental advocacy agenda

Prioritize discussion to include ENR data in AIPs of

LGUs

LGUs should do analysis projection on resource use for

the next years (secure resources: CLUP to CDP to AIP)

3. Strategy of CLUP preparation Include all sectors (participatory)

LGUs should not only focus on preparing CLUPs for A &

D lands but also in Public Lands (to include ENR side)

Look at HLURBs guidelines (inclusion of hazard zones

in the map)

Include ancestral domains

Practice riparian rights

Use of 3-D map data and information Prioritize protection and conservation of ENR

Include in the 3D map location of major fish sanctuaries

(mangroves, seaweeds, corals)

Establish zoning of non-negotiable areas withcorresponding ordinance about its use (alignments of

land uses in zoning)

Have data on biodiversity index and also include this in

CLUP preparation

With huge potential on tourism, LGUs to also put

priority on resolving property rights issues through

zoning

Conflicting interests of Philippine

environmental laws and policies i.e. E.O.

79

LGUs to submit request for amendment regarding the

new mining law to the Office of the President

LGUs can look and review PD 1586 (Environmental

Impact Statement process) and LGU Code (right and

social responsibility of LGUs to protect public welfare)

Non-negotiable areas: Five mayors can have a unified

ordinance, NGOs support LGU efforts, and Provincial

Government can issue an ordinance declaring non-

negotiable areas

A MOA between LGUs and DENR re non-negotiable

areas can also be executed

Lack of belief of individuals in proposed

watershed despite LCA ordinance

Prepare map of the watershed and attach this to LGUs

ordinance regarding LCAs

On volume of ground water and its

capacity to supply

PGI has no water resources assessment yet. The results

of the assessment should be also included in the CLUP.

Table 4. Issues and recommendations during the summits planning workshop


35/4824

ISSUES IDENTIFIED/REFLECTIONS INITIAL RECOMMENDATION(S)/ INPUTS/ COMMITMENTS

DAY 1 contiunation

Panukulan, Polillo, and Burdeos to

prepare an Integrated CLUP

To date, there is no existing mechanism to do integrated

CLUP. Summit hopes to be the vehicle for everybody to dis-cuss and identify appropriate mechanism

On legal battles regarding boundary

dispute of LGUs

On-going negotiations among concerned barangays/

municipalities

Abuses on establishment of salvage

zones (conflicting with PD 1067 Wa-

ter Code)

LGUs to issue resolution to DENR for LGU to have participa-

tion in issuance of fishpond lease agreement (FLA)

Coastal resource management plans be also included in CLUP

Declaration of municipalities to unite and preparation of

guidelines how to prepare CLUP

DENR and LGU should jointly prepare FLUP

With FLUP, LGUs should also have good maps particularly

land classification, boundary, and tenure maps

DAY 2

On informal settler families in salvage

zones

Mandate to relocate is in LGU but DENR can assist in reloca-

tion i.e. ISFs in timberland, DENR can identify safe resettle-

ment areas (outside geo-hazard areas for resettlement)

National Anti-poverty Commission conducted a meeting to

discuss guidelines of informal settler families in coastal areas

Correction of the cadastral survey

done before by DENR resulting to con-

flicting boundaries of barangays and

municipalities

The authority to resolve conflicts on boundaries is no longer

within DENRs jurisdiction as it has been devolved to LGUs

LGU can resolve the problem by:

Conduct of proper research on the boundary mark-

ers of area/lot involved

Proclamation of barangay boundary of the area

Attach technical description in the proclamation

If technical descriptions are still conflicting, the barangay/

municipal council can settle the issue through agreement on

the boundaries.

If still unsettled, DENR will just indicate in the cadastral survey

that the subject area is a conflict area (individual survey will

still push through)

Land surveys done before can also be applied by concernedcitizen for nullification.

Correction surveys can also be applied for by concerned citi-

zens

RTD Hernandez committed to relay to RTD of Lands in DENR

IV-A the intention to follow-up the municipals resolution re-

garding the conflicting barangay boundaries in Panukulan,

Quezon

Reclassification of timberland is not allowed in virtue of the

Agrarian Reform Law not unless it has Congressional approval

Regarding the case of Burdeos and Panukulan, RTD Hernan-

dez accepted the suggestion that Mayors of the two munici-palities hold the dialogue re conflicting municipal boundaries

in DENR Region IV-A office.

Su estion for Provincial Governor to talk with Ma ors and


36/48

of island.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

There have been numerous biodiversity studies conducted in the Polillo Islands and this USAID-FPE project has facilitated the

collation of these studies to establish a systematic database and facilitate easy retrieval of these materials for purposes of

knowledge sharing. The PIBCFI website (www.pibcfi.org) where biodiversity information is readily available, is now online.

Through the USAID-FPE project, a digital 3D map was also produced, featuring the different bio-physical features of the Polillo

Group of Islands. To assist the LGUs in updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), the project also made possible the

ISSUES IDENTIFIED/REFLECTIONS INITIAL RECOMMENDATION(S)/ INPUTS/ COMMITMENTS

DAY 2 continuation

On status of Integrated Social Forestry

(ISF) holders

If application for renewal is not approved by DENR, products

in the area should be paid by the government to the farmer

On National Greening Program (NGP)

issue

Provincial govt representative committed to follow-up status

of payment (for resolution) for IPs involved in NGP

On titling of mangrove areas Not allowed since it is also classified as timberland

Can be applied for CBFM and establish aqua-silviculture for

livelihood

On decision to push through for LCA

or PA status in areas in Polillo

Group of Islands

Decision will depend on the Local Chief Executives and the

Municipal Council


37/48

collation of different studies on the biodiversity status per municipality of the Polillo

Islands.

TESTIMONIES FROM THE FIELD

From Ordinary Folk to Community Leader

I was just an ordinary folk before and I do not have any position in our barangay. I

worked as a coconut farmer or magkokopra and also helped in the transport of

coconut products using a horse. The income Im receiving during that time was justenough to support my family. Life was hard, but I persevered so that I can send my children to school.

Then I got involved in biodiversity conservation and protection through PIBCFI with the help of Lea-Jim Villanueva and our

barangay officials in Languyin. Way back in 2008, our Barangay Captain, Isarme Acuavera, talked to me about appointing me

as a Bantay Kalikasan in our place.

As a BK, I am conducting information and education campaigns about the different environmental laws, like P.D. 705 or the

Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, which I learned from the trainings and seminars I attended from PIBCFI and other

organizations working on biodiversity conservation and protection. I also explain to some people the importance of our wildlife

species and their habitat.

As chairman of Samahan ng Bantay Kalikasan ng Polillo, it is my duty to lead activities related to biodiversity conservation and

protection in the municipality of Polillo, Quezon. Also, as president of the newly-formed Bantay Kalikasan Coordinating Body for

Polillo Group of Islands, it is my duty to coordinate with the four other chairman of Bantay Kalikasan in the municipalities of

Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan, and Jomalig about the different issues and concerns related to the environment.

I grew up with some people who benefited from unsustainable extraction of our natural resources, and that is the reason why I

know how important our environment is. Whenever I encounter a resident who does an illegal activity, I directly coordinate with

our barangay and other institutions, like PIBCFI and DENR so that they will be enlightened about the importance of our natural

resources.

Way back when I was not yet a Bantay Kalikasan, I usually disregard these things, but because of my experiences and learning, Irealized that what would happen to the coming generations if there are no concerned people who will help in the conservation

and protection of our environment.

In my opinion, there is a huge change after Bantay Kalikasans were appointed in every barangay. Before, locals just extract

forest products anytime because they were not informed of our regulations. By the time we have Bantay Kalikasan volunteers,

several locals started to stop doing illegal activities and some of them helped in the advocacy to protect and conserve our

natural resources. I can really say that the Bantay Kalikasanvolunteers have been very effective.

Way back when I was not yet a Bantay Kalikasan, I usually

disregard these things, but because of my experiences and learning,

I think about what would happen to the coming generations if there

are no concerned people who will help in the conservation and

protection of our environment.

Norberto BriasChairman, Samahan ng Bantay Kalikasan ng Polillo


38/48

D e l i v e r i n g

C o n s e r v a t i o n

Messages

Before I became a BK

member, I was just a rice and

coconut f a rmer , who

sometimes work with other

farmers to get additional

i ncome. I a l so ga ined

additional income by fishing

in nearby waters in our

village. I got engaged in biodiversity conservation when I

became a member of Panukulan Bantay Kalikasan Association

(PABAKA). Through the association, I learned about the

different projects, like forest restoration and agroforestry

system, which we are currently doing with assistance from

PIBCFI , FPE and USAID.

As a volunteer Bantay Kalikasan, I help in sharing information

about the different environmental laws. I also teach my family

for them to become a role model and also share to other

people the importance of our wildlife species and their habitat. I

attended trainings and seminars organized by PIBCFI and other

institutions and organizations to acquire additional information

about biodiversity protection and conservation.

It is really a great opportunity to be involved in the association

because I really felt and knew that we should really give

importance to our environment and we should utilize it in the

right way for the next generations to also benefit andexperience the rich biodiversity we have. Also, I felt good

working with different people in conserving our resources. As a

father, I am also very happy to impart with my family the

importance of our environment and its need for protection and

conservation. I also noticed that because of the different

environmental projects, people easily got aware about the

importance of our environment.

The Transformation of a Logger

Im a farmer who was already serving as a Bantay Gubat or

Bantay Kalikasanwhen PIBCFI came. There was a time when

PIBCFI called for a meeting in our barangaywhere there had

been presentations and discussions on the importance of

wildlife species and their habitat. I was also part of the survey

team, headed by Mr. JC Gonzales on their study about the

different wildlife species of Polillo Islands. Because of the

projects of Sir JC Gonzales, I was appointed as Bantay Gubatin our barangayand couldnt object because I cared about our

environment. Being involved before with logging companies, I

got familiar with the different species of trees and fauna in my

municipality as well as some areas in Polillo Group of Islands.

As a BK volunteer I attended the trainings and seminars

organized or co-organized by PIBCFI and other organizations

so that Ill be able to gain additional knowledge on biodiversity.

It is also my duty to monitor the illegal activities in the forest

and submit a report about it. Because of our presence, wildlife

hunters in the area had decreased.. I am focusing in observingillegal activities, especially on wildlife hunting and poaching.

Whenever I encounter an offender, I talk to him or her and

explain about the importance of our wildlife species and that

the fact that they should be protected instead of being harmed

or hunted or made as a food or pet. I also

see to it that the species is released back

into the wild. Because of the different

efforts, there had been lots of changes in

the group of islands. The widespread

wildlife hunting and poaching and illegal

cutting/logging which are being transportedin mainland Luzon is already lessen. Also,

slash and burn practices have been

controlled because of the continuous

monitoring and patrolling. Im grateful to

PIBCFI for their concern and support to us

Bantay Kalikasanvolunteers.

It is also my duty to monitor the illegal activities in the forest and submit a report

about it. Because of our presence, wildlife hunters in the area have decreased.

Dionesio Leynes,

Chairman, Burdeos Bantay Kalikasan Brigade (BBKB)

I attended trainings and seminars organized by PIBCFI and other

institutions and organizations to acquire additional information

about the protection and conservation of our biodiversity.

By: Diony Boragay

Chairman, Panukulan Bantay Kalikasan Association (PABAKA)


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LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCES

AND WAY FORWARD

A decade of conservation work in the Polillo Group of Island

has offered numerous insights and lessons learned that are

worth highlighting as basis in future actions and directions.

While the task of truly conserving the biodiversity of this group

of islands is still far from over, some indicators are already

available to claim that past and current conservation efforts

are making good progress.

Sound scientific basis is one of the key elements in

developing and implementing appropriate and effective site-

focused conservation initiatives. Biological studies conducted

by seasoned and known biologists and conservationists

became the effective ammunitions in ensuring the inclusion of

Polillo Islands as a priority and important biodiversity

conservation area in the Philippines. Results of these studies

were further utilized in developing long-term conservation

agenda for the group of island.

Translating technical information to popular forms of

communication materials is important in enhancing the

awareness of communities, local governments and other local

stakeholders on biodiversity conservation. Highlighting speciesthat are endemic to the locality created a sense of pride

among the residents of Polillo Islands. Emphasizing the

uniqueness of the landscapes and seascapes of the area is

another factor that contributed to the high awareness of locals

on biodiversity conservation.

Formation of a customized organization to ensure the

implementation of conservation agenda is essential. This is

particularly true in Polillo Islands where initial efforts focused

on implementing a project to address issues on wildlife

hunting and trading and forest degradation. However, since

there was a need to develop more comprehensive and

structured conservation measures, PIBCFI was formed and is

now at the forefront of working with LGUs and other

stakeholders in implementing biodiversity projects. PIBCFI,

locally known as biodiversity, is already a recognized

institution when it comes to biodiversity conservation in the

Polillo Group of Islands. Prior to the formation of PIBCFI, no

single organization was primarily catering on biodiversity

conservation in the area.

The development and execution of conservation projects

should not be driven by funding availability, but must be

dictated by biodiversity requirements and needs and be

implemented by phases. This is clearly illustrated in the various

stages of project development and implementation in Polillo

Islands. Conservation initiatives started with baseline scenario

building and followed by establishment of conservation sites,

development of institutional mechanisms for the managementof biologically important sites and capacity building.

Bantay Kalikasan initiative

with the support from the

Local Government Units

and other stakeholders for

effective community

based forest restoration

and protection has beenproven helpful and

effective.

Alex Acua

Program Officer for Habitat

Restoration & Protection, PIBCFI

Making A Difference in Conservation

Bantay Kalikasan contributed a lot of changes in the mainlandmunicipalities of Polillo in conserving and protecting its fauna

and flora since the time they were organized. For instance,

the Polillo tarictic hornbill, as well as the different avian and

wildlife species, are now protected from the threats and

extinction as they can still be found in the forest. They cannot

be easily seen by locals before, probably driven away from

local settlements sensing the threat from the community,

however, now, they can be easily seen even in areas where

there are communities present.

The forest destruction caused by kainginfarming or slash andburn practice and other illegal activities is lessened due to the

effective information, education and communication

campaigns and the monitoring and patrolling activities

conducted by the Bantay Kalikasan volunteers.

The Bantay Kalikasan initiative, with the support from the

Local Government Units and other stakeholders for effective

community based forest restoration and protection, has been

proven helpful and effective. In the past, exotic species are

used as planting materials however, starting with the

advocacy lead by PIBCFI and the Bantay Kalikasan groups,the use of indigenous tree species had been prioritized. There

was even an incident when a local farmer signified his desire

to clear and cut the mahogany trees from their coconut

plantation due to possible allelopathiceffect it will cause.


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Conservation initiatives further scaled up with the

implementation of direct and on-site conservation actions,

which are demonstrated in biodiversity protection and

monitoring and habitat restoration.

Providing opportunities to local authorities in managing their

natural resources is essential if we want to advance our

conservation efforts. This is very important, especially in an

island ecosystem where access to concerned national agencies

is quite difficult. It should be noted that communities in isolated

and far-flung areas are looking to local government as the

central and focal point in governance and therefore, LGUs

should be capacitated and empowered in natural resources

management by exploring and invoking the provisions of the

Philippines Local Government Code. The declaration of Local

Conservation Areas by LGUs in Polillo Islands provides exampleon how LGUs would be able to actively participate in natural

resources management. LGUs in this group of islands have

already passed numerous resolutions and ordinances and

implemented projects on conservation.

Support from national and international institutions, both from

government and nongovernment institutions, is crucial in laying

down the foundation in conservation work and in ensuring long

-term conservation outcomes. For instance, conservation

measures were implemented because of the support provided

to PIBCFI by DENR, Chester Zoo, UNDP-GEF, FPE, PTFCF,

Darwin Initiatives, FFI and PBCFI. Because of these support

mechanisms, gaps on locally available resources were filled in.

However, since these were time-bounded projects, it is

necessary to ensure sustainability strategies.

One of the desirable facts in sustainability was the

mainstreaming of conservation initiatives to the program thrusts

of local governments. In all these funding supports, local

governments were providing counterpart fund and other

resources, including yearly allocation of budget for

conservation. Delivering excellent project results also capture

additional funding support.

Local governments can provide institutional mechanisms and

arrangement in the management of biologically important sites,

but the fact remains that local communities are the direct

agents of conservation. For communities to be engaged, it

does not follow that they should be first organized as a

Peoples Organization. In fact, the formation of PO should

come when communities felt the need of it and circumstances

are already favorable for such an action.

In Polillo Islands, individual volunteers started to participate in

conservation after they internalized the biodiversity importance

of their localities. The primary motivation was for them to help

protect the environment without expecting any return.

However, the initiatives of these volunteers (Bantay Kaalikasan)

captured the attention of local governments and they provided

the BKs with modest honorarium and operational funds. Since

they were already engaged in forest protection, the DENR

clothed these volunteers with authority as Deputized

Environment and Natural Resources Officers. These individual

volunteers realized that they need to coordinate and

consolidate their efforts to become more effective in

biodiversity protection and monitoring and they decided to form

an association. To date, BK organizations are already establish

and operational in each municipality covering the Polillo Group

of Islands.

The recognition provided by the DENR and the support

extended by LGUs provided authority and legitimacy to the

existence and operations of the different BK associations. They

are also earning the respect of the communities where they are

actively operating. The presence of BKs in the different

barangays deters the commission of destructive forest

activities. These positive outcomes to BKs become their

inspiration to continue working for biodiversity conservation and

maintain the credibility they have already established.

Habitat restoration is an example of a conservation initiative thatprovides economic benefits to communities. For instance, the

implementation of agro-forestry provides immediate cash crops

and long-term crops, such as coffee and trees intended for

production. It showcased that agricultural development can go

along with forest restoration. The establishment of ANR

augmented the income of participating BKs, through provision

of labor in the production of planting materials and

establishment, maintenance and monitoring of habitat

restoration sites. It can only be assumed that more benefits

and a larger number of communities may be able to avail

benefits once a much wider area shall be devoted to habitat

restoration.

The experience in Polillo Islands provides an example on

community-LGU partnership in biodiversity conservation.

However, it is also important that credible individuals and

institutions are providing technical assistance to make this

partnership operational. PIBCFI is currently populated with

committed local staff who vie

Scaling-Up Local Conservation Initiatives

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