Biodiversity Protection at Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (PHI/03/01)

Project Details & Results

This project aims to prevent/reduce and eventually eliminate the encroachment into the protected area of Mt. Kitanglad by the local communities in Brgy. Dahilayan.

In addition, this shall be the first project that will translate the gains of the CPPAP project into real community activities within the buffer zone, thereby responds to the SGP relating with the big GEF funded project. Direct project partners are IPs including the Bukidnon Higaonon and Talaandig, all speaking the common Binukid language.

Notable Community Participation
The community has established a community-based nurseries using native tree species.

Capacity - Building Component
Training, seminars, and workshops are being conducted on communication skills, resource inventory, resource/rehabilitation and development, financial management, forest protection, nursery operation, plantation establishment and agro-forestry. Environmental awareness and para-legal activities are also being taken up.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The community is now engaged in vegetable gardening, sari-sari store, raising of pigs, and dispersal of Kabir chicken. For the expansion, every group of 5 members will take charge in planting of high value crops like carrots, baguio beans, sweet peas and sweet pepper. These were brought to Manila, Cebu and Iloilo markets. The vegetable and fruits which are vacuum fried will compete with the existing junk foods sold in the grocery and school canteens.

Gender Focus
Women are in-charge of soil (medium) colection and the cellophane bagging. Seed and wildlings collection are also being done by them. The seed and wildlings collected are sown in the cellophane bags. They are maintained in the nursery. Women continue their savings every week.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Not applicable.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The project will rehabilitate a watershed at Dahilayan, Monolo Fortich, Bukidnon that will protect and conserve the existing forest ecosystem. It also educate and train the women on the value of the forest and on biodiversity protection and conservation. It will established community-nurseries using endemic and local tree species.

Project Results
The following project outputs were seen in this project: conserved and protected watershed of Dahilayan, Bukidnon as evident in its improved water holding capacity; educated and trained women of BULIG-BINHI on the value of the forest and biodiversity protection and conservation; organized and strengthened community for the protection of its ecosystem; and established community-based nurseries using endemic and local tree species.