Strengthening Local Capacity: Environmental and Disaster Risk Governance in the Philippines. Dr. Francisco A. Magno. De La Salle University-Manila

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1 Strengthening Local Capacity: Environmental and Disaster Risk Governance in the Philippines Dr. Francisco A. Magno De La Salle University-Manila Disaster Problem The Philippines is beset by a host of natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, mudflows, fire and drought. There is an average of 19 to 21 tropical cyclones that hit the country every year, of which two are super typhoons.

2 From 1987 to 2000, there were 523 disasters an average of 37 disasters per year. The damage amounted to 150 billion pesos or $US 30 billion. In the past 20 years, disasters killed over 31,000 people. During that 20-year period, 60 million people were affected by disasters.

3 Disasters Attributed to Poor Environmental Governance Weak enforcement of environmental laws (illegal logging in Samar, Leyte, Quezon) Inadequate environmental risk management (Marcopper mine spill in Marinduque) Poor environmental planning (forest fires in reforestation areas in Mindanao) Environmental Management for Disaster Risk Reduction There is a need to encourage the sustainable use and management of the ecosystem, through better land-use planning and development activities, to reduce risk and vulnerabilities. (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Hyogo Framework for Action )

4 Governance for Disaster Risk Reduction Countries that develop policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction have greater capacity to manage risks and achieve consensus for engagement and compliance with disaster reduction measures. (UNISDR, Hyogo Framework for Action ) Decentralization of Environmental Governance Under the 1991 Local Government Code, key environmental functions are devolved to local government units. The appointment of the environment and natural resources officer is optional for provincial, city, and municipal governments.

5 Environmental Functions of the Barangay (Village) Environmental services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, beautification, and solid waste collection. Environmental Functions of the Municipality / City Implementation of communitybased forestry projects which include integrated social forestry programs; management and control of communal forests with an area not exceeding 50 square kilometers; establishment of tree parks, greenbelts, and similar development projects.

6 Environmental Functions of the Province / City Enforcement of forestry laws, pollution control law, small-scale mining law, and other laws on the protection of the environment; and mini-hydroelectric projects for local purposes. Decentralization of Development Planning Each local government unit shall have a comprehensive multi-sector development plan to be initiated by its local development council (LDC) and approved by its sanggunian (local legislature). The LDC shall formulate long-term, medium-term, and annual socioeconomic plans and policies.

7 Functions of the Local Development Council (LDC) Formulate the medium-term and annual public investment programs Appraise and prioritize socio-economic development programs Formulate local investment incentives to promote the inflow of private investment Monitor and evaluate the implementation of development programs and projects Civil Society Participation in the Local Development Council Representatives of nongovernment organizations shall constitute not less than one-fourth of the members of the local development council

8 There is a need for the effective integration of disaster risk considerations into sustainable development policies and planning. The development and strengthening of institutions, mechanisms and capacities at all levels, in particular at the community level, can systematically contribute to building resilience to hazards. Barangay-Bayan Capacity Bldg. and Planning Model Capacity- Bldg. Development of a Barangay Training Manual, as a tool for the participatory local governance interventions Conduct of a Basic Orientation on Barangay Governance (BOBG) Planning Generation of a Barangay Development Plan (BDP) Approval and legislation of the BDP by the Barangay Development Council (BDC) Integration of the BDP to the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Decentralized Local Development Planning

9 Actor-Factor Analysis The actor analysis evaluates the social capacity of key stakeholders and their inter-relations (Matsuoka, et al. 2005). Gov t Private Sector Citizens Actor-Factor Analysis The factor analysis focuses on the factors of social capacity policies and measures, human and organizational resources, and knowledge and technology. It provides information on the existing condition of each factor and its critical minimum.

10 Case Study: Forest Governance in Nueva Vizcaya Province Government Policy and Measures: Application of the Local Government Code Human and Organizations: Provincial Planning and Development Office / Local Development Council Knowledge and Technology: Forest Mapping and Monitoring Stations Forest Governance in Nueva Vizcaya Province Citizens Policy and Measures: Under the Local Government Code, citizens can participate in the implementation of environmental programs Human and Organizations: NGOs, Schools Knowledge and Technology: Community participation tools, local knowledge systems, Bantay Gubat (Citizen Forest Watch) programs

11 Forest Governance in Nueva Vizcaya Province Firms Policy and Measures: Follow the conditions under the forest enterprise agreement with the local government Human and Organizations: Establish corporate accountability and social responsibility mechanisms Knowledge and Technology: Apply sustainable forest management technologies Map showing strategic importance of Nueva Vizcaya 350 mw 120,000 has. Total area = 437,880 has. A & D = 88,000 (21%) Forest Land = 349,880 has. (79%) Protection Forest 219,880 has. (50%) Production Forest 130,000 (29%) Forest Cover: 25% of the forest zone (87,470 has) are still with trees from 86% in the late 60 s 75% (262,410 has.) of the forest zone are without trees DAMs for Hydro power and irrigation REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ROLE Watershed haven and Agro-forestry Hub 50 mw 2000 mw 75 mw 100,000 has. 175 mw 35,000 has.

12 PROBLEMS OF NUEVA VIZCAYA COMMON TO ALL PROVINCES CONTINUING THREATS 1. Increasing population in forestlands. 2. Marginalization of forestlands. 3. Flash floods in the lowlands. 4. Erosion and Expansion of River Beds 4 Local Government Code Section 3. Operative Principles of Decentralization 1. LGU to share with National Government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their jurisdiction. Section General Welfare within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and support enhancement of the right of the people to a balance ecology and as such every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied there from, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance.

13 Local Government Code Section 17 - Basic services and facilities. PROVINCE - enforcement of forestry laws limited to community based forestry projects subject to supervision, control and review of DENR. MUNICIPALITIES - Implementation of communitybased forestry projects subject to supervision, control and review of DENR. BARANGAYS - Beautification and solid waste mgt. TREE FOR LEGACY IS A NOVEL APPROACH! T Tree R E E Resources For Education For Enterprise and for LEGACY

14 MULTIPLE COMPONENTS AND STRATEGIES: Comp. Tree for Education Participants Schools and school children Where Applicable Production forest and private lands Strategy Certificate of ownership with harvesting rights Tree for Enterprise Individuals and associations Production forest and private lands Certificate of ownership with harvesting rights Tree for Legacy Environmentalists and Advocates also for orchard Protection forest Production forest Private Lands Usufructuary certificate to enjoy products without cutting ALL CERTIFICATES ARE NEGOTIABLE/TRANSFERABLE IMPACTS 1. Participants converted as forest guards/managers. 2. Reduced Forest Fires. 3. Reduced Forest squatting. 4. Reduced Timber Poaching & charcoal making

15 IMPACTS 5. Natural Forest Regeneration. 6. Source of employment and livelihood. 7. Improved potable and abundant irrigation water supply.