Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat: Haven for Five Globally Threatened Species

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1 Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat: Haven for Five Globally Threatened Species The municipality of Lambunao in Iloilo is a watersheddominated landscape comprising four main river systems, which form part of the Jalaur River System. It is bordered by the municipalities of Calinog and Dueñas on the north, Janiuay and Badiangan on the south, Pototan on the east, and Valderama, Antique on the west. It is one of the 18 forest-edge municipalities surrounding the Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR) and is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Western Visayas. It is also considered as one of the 117 Important Bird Areas in the country by Birdlife International and Haribon Foundation. Located on its upper stream is a block of classified forestlands with an area of 8,725 has., which is about 36 percent of the total land area of the municipality (24,452 has). It includes the 2,318-hectare school reservation of the West Visayas College of Agriculture and Forestry (formerly the Iloilo National College of Agriculture or INCA). Its high income and large population has placed Lambunao among the first class municipalities in Iloilo province. Two of its barangays (Poblacion Ilaya and Ilawod) are classified as urban centers where commerce and trade are concentrated and are the most thickly populated areas in Lambunao with more than 5,000 individuals. Lambunao has 10 upland barangays, of which seven are entirely or partially within the forest interiors of the CPMR KBA. The farthest barangay is Cabatangan, which can only be reached by foot and where the Tinagong Dagat Critical Habitat (CH) is located and established.

2 The Tinagong Dagat CH covers an area of 3, has. It harbors a freshwater lake of about five hectares that is surrounded by tropical lowland evergreen rainforests an area that is a haven for five globally threatened species found in Panay Island (Big 5), namely, the Visayan writhed-billed hornbill ( Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni), Rafflessia spp., mabitang ( Varanus mabitang), the Philippine spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), and the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons). The presence of these highly important threatened species in an endangered forest ecosystem of CPMR encouraged the LGU of Lambunao to collaborate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 6 (DENR R6) to establish Tinagong Dagat and its adjoining lowland forest as a CH. Similar with other remaining forest areas in the country, the vicinity of Tinagong Dagat is highly threatened and vulnerable due to unsustainable forest management practices employed by forest-dependent communities and families living therein. Such practices include kaingin, timber poaching, wildlife hunting for food and trade, and unregulated collection of non-timber forest products. These unsustainable practices are due to the limited awareness and capacity of key stakeholders on biodiversity conservation and forest governance and are further aggravated by an increasing human population thriving in the uplands and encroaching into the forest areas for human settlements. Upland settlers are concentrated in Sitios Igpatio, Igdagmay, and Tinagong Dagat and are directly dependent on CPMR s forest resources for their livelihood and survival.

3 THREATENED SPECIES. Visayan warty pig (top left), the Visayan writhedbilled hornbill (top right), and (below left and right) the Speciosa and Lobato rafflesia species in Panay Island. Conservation Objectives The CH establishment follows a framework on how different stakeholders such as the LGU, DENR, NGOs, and POs, among others, collaborate and galvanize efforts for the protection and conservation of valuable ecosystems and the biodiversity living therein. Critical habitats are established outside Protected Areas enshrined in the National Integrated Protected Areas System Law or Republic Act However, it is anchored on the Wildlife Resources Conservation Act (9417) and follows DENR Memorandum Circular No or the Guidelines on the Establishment and Management of Critical Habitat. The CH Management Plan (CHMP) formulated for Tinagong Dagat and its environs covers a period of 5 years ( ) and is anchored on LGU Lambunao s approved Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). Conservation objectives are focused and targeted on the following milestones: 1) secure and protect the CH area and its buffer zone through an effective and efficient management system; 2) restore and rehabilitate open and degraded forests within the CH areas; 3) protect and conserve biodiversity; 4) sustainably manage human activities through community resource management; and 5) regularly monitor and evaluate the declared CH. Resource management strategies cover technical, institutional, and s o c i o - e c o n o m i c aspects necessary to effect the implementation of CHMP. The foundation of CHMP and the development strategies were products of a c o m p r e h e n s i v e analysis of the State, Pressure and Response of Tinagong Dagat as a CH as perceived by the local communities and key stakeholders vis-à-vis its interconnectivity and impact to the adjacent and downstream areas of CPMR.

4 Processes Undertaken in Establishing LCA Good Practice CH establishment could be made either through a local declaration by the LGU or a national declaration by the DENR through the office of the Secretary following the procedures specified under DENR Memorandum Circular No or the Guidelines on the Establishment and Management of Critical Habitat and the Wildlife Resources Conservation Act (RA 9417). In 2008, the LGU of Lambunao and DENR Region 6 forged a Memorandum of Agreement for the proposed establishment of 203 has. of lowland forests in CPMR that harbor a small lake called Tinagong Dagat. The following were the processes undertaken by the LGU of Lambunao in collaboration with key stakeholders in the CPMR for the designation of Tinagong Dagat and its environs as a CH for the Big 5 species of Panay. Creation of the Critical Habitat Management Committee (CHMC). An Executive Order was issued by the office of the Local Chief Executive (LCE) of Lambunao for the creation of CHMC to craft the CHMP. CHMC is a multistakeholder body headed by the LCE himself, key LGU department heads, regional and local DENR representatives, academe, NGOs, and POs that are currently operating in the area. The CHMC has formulated its own plan to define and schedule the different phases of the CH management planning process. Secondary data gathering. Members of the CHMC were given specific tasks on secondary data gathering. Majority of the data is available at the LGU Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) and Municipal Planning Office, the local DENR, and the academe. The other data were provided by German Development Cooperation (GIZ) Forest and Climate Protection (ForClim) Panay Project from the various compilations of published scientific papers and manuscripts related to the biodiversity of Central Panay. The availability of information led the LGU of Lambunao and GIZ-ForCLIM to design and administer the guide questions for the ethno-bio survey.

5 Biophysical assessment and community consultation in Tinagong Dagat. Ethno-bio surveys. An ethnobio survey was primarily designed to determine and validate the information on the presence and distribution of the Big 5 globally threatened species found in CPMR and the socio-economic activities of forest-dependent communities. The survey was administered through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The survey was conducted in the forest-edge barangay of Lambunao, particularly in Cabatangan. The survey managed to come up with an initial list of the various species of flora and fauna in CPMR as well as the threats to its forest and biodiversity. Ongoing site conservation actions (e.g., socio-economic, cultural, among others) undertaken by the LGU and key stakeholders in CPMR were also arrived at. Through the project, the species distribution map of the Big 5 threatened species of Panay was established, which guided the bio-physical survey team to decide where to conduct and establish their transects and observation plots for the flora and fauna inventory. Bio-physical survey. A bio-physical survey was conducted to gather baseline information on the biodiversity in CPMR, particularly in Lambunao. The survey team was guided by the results of the secondary data gathering and ethno-bio surveys. Together with the representatives from the local DENR, key staff of MENRO Lambunao, and GIZ-ForCLIM, the team decided to conduct purposive surveys to validate the presence and occurrence of the Big 5 species. They conducted an inventory of other flora and fauna species vis-à-vis the pre-listed inventory of flora and fauna made by the local communities during the conduct of the ethnobio surveys, KIIs, and, FGDs. They also validated and documented the various threats to CPMR s forests and biodiversity as revealed by the local communities during the FGDs and KIIs. The survey team analyzed and interpreted the data and came up with a site technical report. Survey results were used by the LGU of Lambunao as one of their bases to formulate their CHMP and to pass a municipal resolution for CH declaration. The results were also used to update their proposed FLUP. The survey followed the DENRestablished protocol on resource inventory for CH establishment and management. The biophysical survey and FGDs were conducted from December 2011 to June 2012 together with the forest-dependent communities of Lambunao.

6 CHMP formulation. The formulation of the CHMP was spearheaded by the CHMC. A series of participatory planning workshops were conducted to craft the CHMP. Results of the ethno-bio and biophysical surveys and the draft of the municipal FLUP were the primary inputs in developing the plan. The CMHC followed and accepted the recommendations of the FLUP Steering Committee to expand the coverage of the CH from the proposed 203 has. to 3, has. The expansion of the CH area was also due to the presence and existence of the Big 5 species of Panay substantiated by the results of the purposive and ethno-bio surveys conducted by LGU Lambunao, DENR, and GIZ- ForCLIM. Community consultation and validation. Community consultations were conducted by the committee to validate the various management strategies and activities identified in the proposed CHMP and to get the consensus of the community on whether CH establishment would be acceptable or not in Lambunao. The CHMC also provided an overview on the process of CH declaration and on the biodiversity of CPMR. A series of public consultations were conducted in November 2013 together with the LGU, DENR, and GIZ ForClim. CH establishment and declaration. On March 3, 2014, Resolution No was enacted by the Sangguinang Bayan of Lambunao for the declaration of Tinagong Dagat and the surrounding lowland forests as a CH, with a total area of 3, has. An added layer of protection policy for the forestlands was the presence of highly threatened species of plants and animals. Tinagong Dagat and the entire area of remaining natural forest in Barangay Cabatangan in Mt. Apog-Apog were assessed to be part of the CH corridor of the CPMR, which includes the provinces of Aklan, Antique, and Capiz.

7 Sustainability Mechanisms Forest governance. The municipal LGU of Lambunao just recently approved its FLUP, incorporating the identified LCA as a CH for the Big 5 species of Panay with the support of a municipal resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan. Annual appropriation to operationalize CHMP implementation is lodged in the office of the MENRO, including funds to support operations of the local forest protection and law enforcement groups the Bantay Gubat. LGU Lambunao is currently working to integrate its FLUP with its municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Forest protection and law enforcement. The local DENR has limited field personnel to effectively monitor and enforce forestry laws in the area. Thus, direct involvement of the local community on forest protection activities is a must. Around 28 community volunteers were deputized by DENR R6 as bantay gubat or Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs) to help both DENR and the LGU of Lambunao on forest protection and law enforcement. Various capacity-building activities were designed and facilitated by GIZ-ForCLIM for the WEOs. These included Basic Ecology Orientation, Paralegal and Meta-legal Training, and formulation of the WEO s Forest Protection and Law Enforcement Plan (FPLEP). The FPLEP was anchored in the Forest Protection Strategies spelled out in the FLUP, which is currently supported by the DENR and the municipal LGU of Lambunao. The LGU of Lambuanao shelled out extra funds for the regular operations and honorarium of the WEOs. Special Order No was issued by DENR s Regional Director for the deputation of the WEOs. Forest restoration and rehabilitation. Anchored on their FLUP and CHMP, the LGU of Lambunao targeted the rehabilitation and restoration of open areas (e.g., grasslands) and residual forest areas with indigenous and forest fruit trees within the declared CH. Restoration of the 200-meter radius around Tinagong Dagat using almaciga, agoho, and other available dipterocarp forest tree species thriving in the area and the identification of various fruit-bearing trees and plants that would supplement the feeding requirement of the Big 5 species are the major activities indicated in the plan. It includes the conversion and restoration of 6.19 has. of riceland within Tinagong Dagat using rainforestation strategies. Through the Forest Management Project and in collaboration with DENR, the LGU of Lambunao plans to implement the annual greening and nurturing of forest restoration areas within the 200-meter radius and the adjacent forest areas by the end of Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA). Continuous conduct of CEPA on biodiversity conservation, forest governance, critical habitat, and forest protection, among others, will be conducted to increase peoples awareness and capacity on these aspects. A series of pulong-pulong, community meetings, assemblies, and consultations using different communication mediums or channels will be utilized in order to convey the importance and benefits of forests and biodiversity. This strategy will support LGU Lambunao s relocation and resettlement program of the immediate families living within the newly declared CH. Campaign materials on the importance of Tinagong Dagat CH illustrating the conservation plan to be implemented therein shall be produced and distributed to the immediate and adjacent communities of the municipality. Billboards will be constructed in strategic areas to ensure visibility and to convey site conservation actions and messages complementing the reading materials.

8 Lessons Learned Success Factors Through the CH declaration, LGU Lambunao formulated and defined its vision, mission, and objectives for Tinagong Dagat. Indicators were clearly defined to concretize each goal and to form the bases for the LGU s CH implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The entire CH area was classified as a Protection Zone based on Lambunao s FLUP, which prohibits and controls human activities. Forestry laws are strictly enforced in this area. For management purposes, it is divided into four sub-zones, each with a prescribed management strategy for protection and conservation. These four sub-zones are the protection zone, the restoration zone, the eco-tourism zone, and the boundary delineation/ buffer zone. The protection zone is a restricted zone but allows scientific research and education-related activities. Forest protection and law enforcement will be strictly implemented in this area. The restoration zone focuses on the rehabilitation of open-degraded or denuded areas using indigenous forest tree species, which would allow for natural regeneration and assisted natural regeneration. The eco-tourism zone covers all water bodies and tributaries surrounding Tinagong Dagat and allows biodiversity-friendly recreational activities. The boundary delineation/buffer zone will serve as a buffer zone or transition zone between the CH and the adjoining areas, whether private or public. Challenges and Issues Habitat loss. Unsustainable forest management practices still exist in CPMR, which further increase the loss of habitat of notable flora and fauna species, thus causing a decrease in the number of wildlife in the remaining small and fragmented forest areas. Timber poaching, forest conversion into agricultural areas, and wildlife hunting are the main threats that further contribute to the declining population of many endemic species, especially those that are restricted to the Panay-Negros Faunal Region. Limited awareness and capacity of key stakeholders, especially on biodiversity conservation and forest governance. The immediate communities surrounding Tinagong Dagat must deeply understand both the importance and the significant benefits provided by a healthy forest and its biodiversity. Key stakeholders should realize that forest management is not purely for the sake of biodiversity conservation but is also for the sustainable livelihood of the local people, especially the immediate communities that are living around it. Poor enforcement of forestry laws and other related laws. Environmental protection is equivalent to the protection of peoples lives and the lives of future generations. However, poor enforcement of forestry laws were noted and observed in CPMR due to the limited awareness and capacity of concerned LGUs in all levels of governance and local law enforcers. Recommendations for Upscaling The presence of these flora and fauna species that are listed under various categories of threat is enough justification to speed up the protection and conservation of their forest habitats in CPMR, particularly in the municipality of Lambunao, to ensure their survival. Financing CHMP will be mainly undertaken by the municipal LGU, which will include regular budget appropriation to operationalize the MENRO in their Bottoms Up Budgeting Approach. But given the limits of local resources at their disposal, potential external funding partners were identified, including the means on how to establish linkages and partnerships with these potential partners. LGU-MENRO will source out external funding for CH management by developing a proposal and submitting this to external potential funders. Forging an agreement with adjoining municipalities and provinces to establish a Network of Critical Habitats in CPMR is another phase of scaling-up that would broaden and galvanize the efforts of key stakeholders on conservation and development in CPMR.