Forest and Climate Protection in Panay-Phase II

OBJECTIVE

The project aims to:

  • conserve the last remaining larger block of natural forest with globally important biodiversity on Panay Island and sustainable use og natural resources
  • support the Ministry of Environment with its commitments towards the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Project aims at conservation the last remaining larger block of natural forest with globally important biodiversity on Panay Island and sustainable use of natural resources by local communities in the buffer zone for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and poverty alleviation. At the national level, the project supports the Ministry of Environment with its commitments towards the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in particular the CBDā€™s Strategic Plan 2011-2020.

ā€œSupporting the livelihood of people in the uplands is crucial to biodiversity conservation and management of Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat. We need to find a way to balance conservation with the livelihood activities of the people. We can have alternative livelihood but we cannot do without our remaining forests.ā€

Ā ā€“ Hon. Reynor Gonzales, Municipal Mayor of Lambunao Iloilo during the Critical Habitat Management Planning Workshop on 24 July 2015 in Lambunao, Iloilo.

Targeted beneficiaries include:

  • Staff of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at national level and in Panay
  • Local government units in Panay
  • Private sector and potential investors who work with projects in renewable energy
  • Rural households
  • Indigenous peoples in the vicinity of the forest area of the Panay Mountain Range

SUCCESS STORIES


Establishment of a Critical Habitat area inspires Local Government Unit to actively support biodiversity conservation

Most local government units (LGUs) have limited funds and would rather use them for infrastructure development rather than biodiversity conservation. However, the LGU of Lambunao has done otherwise. With support from the Forest and Climate Protection Project, the Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat area was established and declared by the LGU in March 2014. Since then, the LGU, through its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, has worked with the local community to protect biodiversity and conserve the area. The LGU, through Municipal Mayor Reynor Gonzales, has provided 1 million pesos from 2015-2016 for the protection and management of the Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat. The funds were used for critical habitat management planning workshops, forest restoration and livelihood initiatives for 17 families living near the critical habitat. The LGU continues to work with the upland families to restore more forest around the critical habitat and protect wildlife while providing incentives for their livelihood.

PUBLICATIONS

COUNTRY

Philippines

DURATION

Jun 2014 - Oct 2018

Commission Agency

 BMUV

CONTACT PERSON