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CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES. Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges. Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation. Overview (of developing landscape governance).
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CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation Overview (of developing landscape governance) Tinagong Dagat CH, Lambunao, Iloilo, Panay Island The Philippines' NIPAS act dictates how a PA is established. Protected Area - "A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.” (IUCN) Critical Habitat - Refers to areas outside PAs under RA 7586 that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of man-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others. Conservation areas at a glance: Protected Areas (PAs): 240 (as of 2012) Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs): 128 Important Bird/Biodiversity Areas (IBAs): 117 Critical Habitat (CH): 6 (declared by DENR, as of 2014) 6 (declared by LGUs: 1 Pangasinan, 3 Central Panay, 1 Mindoro, 1 Nueva Ecija). CH for Rafflesia speciosa, Barbaza, Antique Central Panay Mountains IBA (PH061)
CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation What happened and why? How a PA is made It can take years to wait for Presidential proclamations or congressional actions: How a CH is made A mere declaration from the local government or DENR can fully establisha CH: How a PA is managed The local government unit (LGU) is merely a member of the management board, headed by DENR. This adversely affects the desire of the LGU to commitand share resources. How a CH is managed Here the tables are turned: the LGU leads CH management wherein DENR promises to provide technical support through partnership or a Co-Management Agreement.
CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation What happened and why? Key Challenges • Limited capacity of key stakeholders in the KBA/IBA on biodiversity conservation and natural resources governance. • Limited resources to support studies on the population and distribution of threatened species in the KBA/IBA and areas targeted for CH establishment. • Overlapping political jurisdiction between and among LGUs over the targeted CH. • Natural resources conservation remains to be “low priority” by LGUs. • Habitat loss. Biophysical Survey in Cluster 1 municipalities (Sebaste and Culasi side) in the Central Panay Mountain Range. Key Solutions • Capacity building for LGUs, DENR and general public on biodiversity conservation and CH process, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. • Conduct of Bio-physical Survey - a combination of Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), purposive search and full survey to validate and determine population of globally-threatened indicator species with support from LGU and key stakeholders. • Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147) and CH establishment guidelines. Why and why not? (hindering factors) • National and local policies not supportive to local governance and biodiversity conservation. • Poor law enforcement. What could have been done differently? • Mainstreaming of CH establishment and biodiversity conservation in local development planning.
CRITICAL HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEYOND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES Theme B. Solutions in developing governance of the landscape: addressing key challenges Noel A. Resurreccion, Haribon Foundation Draft recommendations • Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147) and CH establishment guidelines. • Integration of CH Management Plan into local development plans (e.g. FLUP, CLUP) • Programmatic capacity building interventions for partner LGUs and communities (e.g. CCA, biodiversity, indigenous peoples, natural resources governance, among others.) • Continuous identification and assessment of potential areas for CH establishment. • Enactment of Local Legislations to protect and conserve globally-threatened species and their habitats. • Promote ”co-management agreement” between and among key stakeholders on CH management.d CPMR KBA/IBA, Madalag, Aklan, Panay Island LGU technical staff using GPS and GIS in establishing CH boundaries, CPMR KBA/IBA, Panay Island