Project Detail

PARTICIPATORY RESOURCE ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF SIQUIJOR ISLAND

The project aimed to gather baseline data of the significant and important biodiversity areas in both terrestrial and aquatic environments in the Siquijor and contribute to biogeographic zone data in terms of biogeographic history and distribution patterns of major groups of biota i.e., vascular plants, arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and socio-economic pressures affecting them; to consolidate biological, socioeconomic, biophysical and environmental data and program practices that would provide benchmark database to start building the Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes (CNPLS) database/MIS; to develop criteria and parameters that would facilitate the appraisal, validation and implementation of community-based biodiversity conservation initiatives in areas identified as priority sites for SGP funding; and to promote a participatory and consultative process among the relevant stakeholders of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes that would enable better coordination and synchronized implementation of SGP programs and activities within the area.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

St. Catherine Family Helper Project, Inc.

Country:

Philippines

Area Of Work:

Multifocal Area

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 20,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 3,277.27

Project Number:

PHI/132/06

Start Date:

2/2007

End Date:

8/2007

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Objectives: a. To gather baseline data of the significant and important biodiversity areas in both terrestrial and aquatic environments in the CNPLS and contribute to biogeographic zone data in terms of biogeographic history and distribution patterns of major groups of biota i.e., vascular plants, arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and socio-economic pressures affecting them; b. To consolidate biological, socioeconomic, biophysical and environmental data and program practices that would provide benchmark database to start building the Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes (CNPLS) database/MIS. c. To develop criteria and parameters that would facilitate the appraisal, validation and implementation of community-based biodiversity conservation initiatives in areas identified as priority sites for SGP funding; d. To promote a participatory and consultative process among the relevant stakeholders of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes that would enable better coordination and synchronized implementation of SGP programs and activities within the area.

Capacity - Building Component

Project Components: The major components of the project include among others, the following: Baseline Studies ? Collection of both primary and secondary data for establishment of baselines. Biodiversity information about the area is limited, incomplete and scattered among various institutions and individuals and thus will entail consolidation of data. ? Lack of baseline is a major gap in biodiversity conservation efforts. Harmonization of research with conservation needs can be undertaken by addressing gaps in existing knowledge. In some cases, conduct of research may be called for. Consolidation of Data for Knowledge Management ? Consolidation of biological, socioeconomic, biophysical and environmental data and program practices that would provide benchmark database to start building the Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes (CNPLS) database/MIS. Development of criteria and parameters for prioritization of SGP resources for biodiversity conservation in the area. ? Socializing UNDP programs by consultations with CNPLS stakeholders ? Stakeholders analysis and assessment of current situation ? issues and problems ? Conduct of workshop to assess the status, issues, problems, opportunities and challenges of UNDP-SGP projects in the CNPLS. ? Biodiversity status map of the SGP sites of both existing and projected interventions Conduct of multi-sectoral consultations Consultations will be conducted for the following purposes: ? Developing/strengthening stakeholders/actors? awareness of biodiversity issues at the CNPLS. ? Consolidating/strengthening efforts for conserving species, especially flagship species at the CNPLS. Developing/strengthening regional mechanisms & capacity for conserving biodiversity at the CNPLS. ? Series of consultations/meetings with policymakers/decision makers/managers among the LGUs, DENR/NCIP, schools, media/civil society and financial institutions, et al. will be carried out not only to promote the relevance of CNPLS conservation and development but also to set the stage for commitment and support for the proposal to create a coordinating network or a policymaking/governing body composed of key stakeholders for the CNPLS. The dialogues would also take care of generating interests from support agencies and/or government instrumentalities to recognize the need for resource sharing and complementation required for streamlined project operations and avoiding costly project overlaps and duplications. These consultations/dialogues would set up the environment that facilitates commitment and involvement of collaborating agencies who would help in making UNDP-SGP projects succeed at the CNPLS.

Planning gef grant

The CNPLS will cover the watershed and forest areas, and the coastal and marine waters. Using the landscape ecology approach, it will cover the study of ecosystems and important species. Cebu has been pronounced as a critically endangered watershed and the intervention in this direction is highly recommended. Efforts to conserve important endemic species such as the Cebu Flowerpecker and Cebu Black Shama have been initiated although eight subspecies of birds that are also endemic are already extinct. On the other hand, the Visayan warty pig is also endemic in Negros, Panay and Negros Oriental. Other important endemic species in the Negros Panay area are the Rafflesia, the Panay Giant Fruit Bat, Visayan Spotted Deer, Negros Fruit Dove and the Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon.

Project sustainability

The Cebu-Negros-Panay Landscapes and Seascapes (CNPLS) has been identified as one of the focus sites for impact assessment of the SGP approach to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The integration and partnering process aims to address questions of how to consolidate accomplishments from small initiatives possibly for bigger impacts. It will also look into the assessment of current initiatives and should include review of existing plans, frameworks and studies conducted in the past even by other donors within the island landscapes. This planning grant for a baseline study in the area can be a pro-active mechanism in determining gaps in the SGP intervention and provide a basis for prioritization of SGP resources.

Policy Influence

The Greater Negros-Panay Biogeographic Zone includes among others, the islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay (referred to hereinafter as the Cebu-Panay-Negros Landscapes and Seascapes), which islands have been identified as one of the important biodiversity areas in the country. Furthermore, the UNDP-SGP-GEF Philippines is now pursuing a new paradigm in terms of rationalizing grant funds and has selected these aforementioned islands as one of its three focal sites in the Philippines. Along this line, the SGP has also committed to pursue three of the country commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity for the continuous pursuit of the biodiversity conservation in this part of the world. In this connection, there is a need for a strategic mechanism to effectively launch successful facilitative works for advocacy, networking, organizing for consensus and awareness building, and establishing baselines towards this end. The mechanism is also necessary to ensure that stakeholders are engaged actively to implement collaborative activities that are facilitated by UNDP-GEF-SGP Program.

Notable Community Participation

The list of ongoing and completed projects has variously addressed the focal GEF themes of biodiversity conservation and climate change. This proposal is aimed at consolidating these initiatives to derive more impacts from SGP intrervention in the area, it having been identified as one of the three focal areas for SGP?s third operational phase. Such a baseline study would identify gaps in the interventions and effectively support the continuing process of developing and implementing corridor-wide strategies and programs especially priority conservation areas.

Project Results

Target Outputs:

The proposed project will generate the following outputs:

a. Identified relevant stakeholders to the management and protection of the natural resources of CNPLS, e.g., forests, rivers and waters, watershed, biodiversity, habitats (terrestrial, coastal and marine).

b. Baselines on the biodiversity significant areas in the Cebu Negros Panay Landscapes and Seascapes; collection of both primary and secondary data for the establishment of baselines and mapping of biodiversity status.

c. List of program successes/lessons and basic information/database for building MIS.

d. More efficient use of SGP resources to support biodiversity conservation activities particularly community livelihood and conservation practices through integration, complementation and sharing among engaged stakeholders from various sectors.

e. Synchronizing interventions that would increase the likelihood for efficient and more effective project implementation/operations for SGP.

f. Cross-reference and sharing of information including success stories/lessons accelerate and magnify adaptive management capacity moving to progress and more successes from interventions/activities.

g. Accelerate the process of building social capital and promoting SGP interventions for community-based biodiversity conservation and management.

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