The proposed project aims to strengthen the management of 463 hectare CBFM forest, protect and conserve threatened biodiversity within it including watershed forest as the source of community?s potable water. Bacungan Forest buffers the Irawan Watershed, a KBA-source of potable water for the entire City-proper population, also buffering West Coast area, hence connecting/corridoring two important KBAs.

Geographically, Sitio Kandis 3 is situated in the South Western Coast of Barangay Bacungan. It is approximately 35 kilometers away from the City of Puerto Princesa. It has a land area of more or less one thousand (1000) hectares. It is located on latitude of 9° 51? 54.54? to 9° 53? 5.82? and longitude 118° 37? 31.296? to 118° 39? 31.716?. It has a total of 26 corners that can be found in the western part near Tagkawayan Beach Resort, in the uppermost southern part of Sitio Candis 3, and fronting the boundary of Flora & Fauna and the Irawan Watershed in the upper part of Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City.

Amidst securing the CBFM tenurial instrument, the forest has been incessantly threatened by unsustainable harvest of forest resources on a hidden pattern by the community whose livelihood largely depends on forest resources. It includes indescrimate harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), gathering of wildlife for food and sometimes for trading, also on a hidden pattern.

Low-land ecosystem has also been threatened by gradual decline of soil fertility over the years due to use of chemical fertilizers in growing their crops. Chemical residues drain from creeks that traverse to Bacungan River and finally flow down to Honda Bay- the City?s major source of marine products. City Agriculture Office and BFAR (2009) articulated that variety of shell and fish species had been exterminated due to agro-chemical residues from Barangays Sta. Lourdes, Bacungan, Sta. Cruz and others draining to the Bay.

Anchored on the vision of sustainable development, this project has been designed to enhance biodiversity of Bacungan Forest, support Irawan Watershed and West Coast and Honda Bay conservation efforts. By enhancing the biodiversity of the area, community can assure of harvesting NTFP products sustainably, with sufficient and sustained source of potable water and other forms of ecological services they will directly benefit over time.

Biodiversity Value
The four hundred sixty three (463) hectares proposed project site is characterized by three hundred thirty six (336) hectares of old growth forest and one hundred twenty seven (127) hectares of residual forest. Part of the area had been the site for Palawan Lumber Company (PALUMCO) a logging company that operates in the area in the later part of 1970?s up to 1980?s. Due to the influx of migration in the community, this old growth and residual forest are being subjected to the pressures brought by in- migration. Other threats are in forms of overharvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products, gathering of fuel wood, charcoal making, and illegal cutting of wood (hidden pattern).

With condition like this, the project shall engage in protection for the old growth forest and forest restoration for the identified 127 hectares of residual forest to enhance the ecosystem derives of this resource base to the community and the city of Puerto Princesa in general. It includes but not limited to, services like physical structure and biotec such as maintenance of biodiversity, regulations of ecosystem processes and functions and biological maintenance. Recreational and social services such as livelihood sustenance for the communities and support of cultural and spiritual are other functions.

Activities/Output/Indicators:
1. Resource Assessment - Biodiversity profile generated
2. Forest Enrichment - 80 hectares planted (40 Has rattan-50,000 seedlings, 30 Has for endemic tree species - 25,000 seedlings, 10 Has agro-forestry - 10,000 seedlings)
3. Forest Protection - 150 Has core zone and 127 residual forest covered - 24 forest guards deputized
4. Establishment of fire-breaks and green-breaks - 10 Has strip covered
5. Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) - 40 Has
6. Organic fertilized production -
7. Bio-intensive gardening
8. Bird-watching eco-camp - Operationalization of Bird Watching Project and Eco-camp
9. Trainings and Seminars - 20 participants per following trainings: Trainings conducted on:
Paralegal Training and Deputation training; Basic Ecology training; Training on Community-Based Sustainable tourism; Organic farming technology; nursery establishment cum TSI and ANR training; Cooperative Management training; and cross-visit to other forest conservation project