Farmers back community-based forest management in N Vizcaya

The Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong, and Kakilingan Upland Farmers Association, Inc. in Buenavista, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya signed a Memorandum of Agreement of collaboration with its local partners in Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) on June 19, 2003.

Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Local Government Units (LGU), Academe, Business Sector, Non-Government Organizations and other Government Agencies agreed to provide support to the Federation in sustaining the development of 3,000 hectares forestland under CBFM within barangay Buenavista.

This partnership started with the implementation of the project entitled "Developing Tropical Forest Resources Through CBFM" in the area in 1998 with funding support from the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). The DENR, as the lead implementing agency, in collaboration with the LGU provided facilitative assistance through a site-based Project Management Staff in organizing the Federation and enhancing its capabilities in plantation establishment, forest protection, agro-forestry, and livelihood development, among others

Manpower, technical, and material assistance were provided to develop the forest resources. Along the implementation of the various project activities, linking and collaboration among different local support groups developed and the partnership for CBFM was enhanced.

The project resulted to some initial impacts including the following:

Increase in forest cover and improved microclimate;

Maintained natural and regenerating forest, and restored biodiversity;

Participation of community in forest protection, reforestation, and agro-forestry;

Ability of the Federation of PO to link for needed support;

Collaboration among local project partners;

Transfer of learning through field visits and practicum in the site; and

Secured land tenure.

When the project term ended in June 2002, the ITTO granted the project savings to the Federation to initially implement its sustainability plan as it takes over project management and develop community enterprise.

Likewise, the development of a local-level system of monitoring indicators of CBFM sustainability was supported with the participation of the Federation and the local partners. It is envisioned that their involvement in the monitoring system will provide venue for regular discussions and feedback among the stakeholders and timely action on local issues.

The Federation and its partners still have a long way to go to attain the benefits of sustainable forest management, but they have built the foundation, the agreement for collaboration that should lead to real partnership and complementation to attain their common vision for Bayombong.