|
THE joint DILG-DENR-LGU Memorandum Circular No.
2003-01 on Strengthening and Institutionalizing the DENR-DILG-LGU
Partnership on Devolved and Other Forest Management Functions
introduced co-management agreements between the local governments
and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in forest
management. This circular involves LGUs in the management of
forestland resources in line with existing laws. (Pulhin, und.) In a
similar joint memorandum circular which serves as a manual of
procedure for the DENR-DILG-LGU partnership, the LGUs are enjoined
to “share with DENR the responsibility on the sustainable
management and development of the forest resources within their
territorial jurisdiction.” Further, both the DENR and LGUs are
called upon to “strengthen their collaboration and partnership in
forest management.”
Given a conducive policy
framework for LGU participation in forest management, the provincial
government of Nueva Vizcaya led by Gov. Rodolfo Agbayani initiated a
co-management agreement with the DENR for the implementation of a
land tenure program covering the watersheds and open and denuded
forestlands in the province. Nueva Vizcaya has only 25-percent
forest cover left. Where once 75 percent of the province’s total
land area was covered by forests, its forests and watershed
resources have been significantly reduced by massive logging,
overharvesting of forest products, mining, forest fires,
immigration, conversion to agricultural land and unsound public
policies and priorities.
Since the topography of the
province is greater than the 18-percent slope requirement, most of
it is owned by the state. Nearly 80 percent of the total land area
is considered forestlands. Of that figure, more than 90 percent are
proclaimed critical watershed and/or watershed reservations. Because
of this classification, government programs providing land tenure
was excluded in watershed areas. As a result, there was difficulty
in convincing people to plant trees and prevent them from burning
the forests since they have no assurance they will not be resettled
or will be granted the right to harvest in the future.
Governor Agbayani convened the
Nueva Vizcaya Stakeholders Congress to agree on a common policy and
program platform. At the end of the day, participants were united in
making environ-mental management their shared covenant. Agbayani
used to his full advantage the Local Government Code and CBFM to
initiate forest management activities. He developed participatory
and “locally-fit” strategies and plans. More importantly, he
identified and mobilized key stakeholders and partners, network and
allies. The governor believes that the “success of the initiatives
relied on the healthy mix of the tradition of resource management of
DENR and people management of the LGU.” The DENR provided
technical advice in project planning and design while the local
governments covered ground mobilization and implementation.
The centerpiece strategy was the
Tree for Legacy Program. It employs the concept of “beneficial
use of the land” by targeting open public land and by using an
incentive system to encourage people’s participation. It has
three components: Trees for Education (school children benefit from
the trees they plant upon graduation from secondary school), Trees
for Enterprise (promotion of tree farms), and Trees for Protection
and Legacy (trees are planted for protection purposes).
The Trees for Legacy Program
mobilizes critical stakeholders in the Magat Watershed to restore
what they call “marginal land ravaged by years of misuse and
neglect. The provincial government and DENR identified existing
and potential land uses and delineated protection and production
forestlands.” It allows participants full enjoyment of benefits
accruing from their tree planting that led to greater and enhanced
participation of barangays. It ensures value-added benefits such
as income derived from permits and future sale of certified trees to
the barangay. The program targeted POs and NGOS, municipal and
barangay LGUs to rehabilitate environmentally-critical resources
within the watersheds supporting vital services such as domestic
water supply and irrigation.
Since its inception in 1993, the
Tree for Legacy program has reforested more than 2,000 hectares of
forestlands. This was accomplished with the cooperation of 84
organizations and 5,615 individuals. The Tree for Legacy
co-management approach earned the province the 2001 Galing Pook
Award for Innovation and Excellence. It is unfortunate however that
in February 2006, the co-management agreement was suspended by the
DENR “for further review.”
|
