Sulog Editor’s Report:
MindaNOW Program 2014-2015 Accomplishments
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January to June 2015
MinDA supports PES implementation in Region 12
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Davao City, Philippines
INFOGRAPHIC: MindaNOW! Program 2014-2015 Accomplishments
Celebrating Partnerships for a Greener Mindanao
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Volume 3 Issue 1
6
ISSN: 2467-4952
Celebrating
Partnerships for a
GreenerMindanao I
n efforts to make Mindanao and its environment more adaptive and resilient to the effects of climate change, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
the National Youth Commission (NYC), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) organized “Celebrating Partnerships for a Greener Mindanao” on May 18, 2015 at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao in Davao City.
The event highlighted partnerships designed to reduce risks associated with natural disasters. A Commitment Signing between MinDA and the City of Davao was inked for the pilot implementation of the Mindanao
Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Project. Implemented in partnership with USAID’s B-LEADERS Project, MinDA will lead the conduct of Green House Gas Inventory in the pilot area as well as establish the carbon sequestration Turn to page 7
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EDITOR’S REPORT
MindaNOW! Program 2014-2015 Accomplishments Following the challenges and achievements we have had in the early years of implementing the program, it is overwhelming to know that the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program continues to extend its reach above the surface level in effecting sustainable development for Mindanao’s environment. We are proud to report the Program’s accomplishments for the year 2014 and 2015 under its five components. Institutional Development and Capacity Building In strengthening the river basin and watershed management mechanisms, we have facilitated together with the DENR-RBCO and regional offices the establishment of the eight river basin organizations. In line with the directions set by EO 50, we have spearheaded the establishment of the Mindanao River Basin Management Council with funding commitment from each member-LGU to sustain its operations. Plan Harmonization and Knowledge Management
USEC. JANET M. LOPOZ, CESO I Executive Director MinDA
The MindaNOW! Sulog Editorial Staff Janet M. Lopoz, CESO I Editor-in-Chief Reyzaldy Tan Joan Barrera Leoncio Rodaje Editorial Staff Yvette Valderia Rolando Pinsoy Anne Marie Oledan Ma. Vilma Belches Raymond Esperat Kathy Mateo Fritz Flores Staff Sulog is a quarterly publication of the Mindanao Development Authority through its flagship program called MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program. The term Sulog is a Bisayan word for current, but specifically defines the current that is present in bodies of water like streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. It connotes strength, power and consistency. Sulog plays a major role in the formation of the Earth’s landscape and acts as the key element that connects the ridge to the reef. You want your stories published in the succeeding Sulog issues? Please send your contributions to now@minda.gov.ph
MindaNOW! Sulog
We are also reaching towards the implementation of the eight River Basin Master Plans, which are essential for the protection, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the major river basins of the island-region. Seven river basin master plans have already been completed and endorsed by their respective Regional Development Councils (RDC). These are the master plans for the Mindanao River Basin, Davao River Basin, Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Lanao-Agus River Basin, Tagoloan River Basin, and the Buayan-Malungon River Basin. The Tagum-Libuganon River Basin Master Plan is under review by the Economic Development Committee of Region XI, prior to submission and subsequent endorsement by the RDC XI, while the Agusan River Basin Master Plan is being enhanced at this time. Program Support and Advocacy In mainstreaming our initiatives for a greener Mindanao, we have reached out deeper into the grassroots through the Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Program (BSFP). As of June 2015, there are already 131 barangays validated and P28 million funds downloaded to DENR Regional Offices of IX, X, XI, XII and CARAGA. These identified barangays are now in various levels of implementation. Policy Review and Advocacy We have also completed the Mindanao Critical Rivers Rapid Assessment that evaluated a total of 21 critical river systems located outside the eight river basins. Rehabilitation measures recommended in the study have been supported by the MinDA Board through Resolution No. 0046-8-2015 on May 11, 2015. Specific recommendations for critical rivers in Zamboanga Peninsula were also adopted by the EDC IX on September 7, 2015. In our pursuit of sustainable growth and development in Mindanao, we also recognize the crucial role of the private sector and industry stakeholders in promoting the environmental integrity of the island-region. Through the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model, we have actively reached out to industries and public utilities that depend on the extraction of natural resources such as potable water to reinvest in the protection and rehabilitation of the area where the resource was taken from, effectively turning end-users into stakeholders of the environment. Constituency Building The overwhelming success of TreeVolution: Greening Mindanao has set the new standard for widereaching, collaborative, and voluntary reforestation campaigns not only in the country, but in the world as well. We have also expanded our partnership with Hydrology for Environment, Life and Policy (HELP) Davao for Integrated Water Resource Management in Mindanao; the United States Agency for International Development through its Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability wfor the baseline study of Greenhouse Gas Emission and Carbon Sequestration; and the National Youth Commission in rallying the youth for the Mindanao Young TreeVolutionists Movement. In this issue, we have provided a full infographic spread of last year’s accomplishments as well as a preview of the upcoming developments for 2015, which promises to be an exciting year as we expand existing partnerships and extend the reach of MinDA’s banner program for the environment and sustainable development. Together, we keep our hopes high and remain committed to our common goal of a greener and more sustainable Mindanao--our shared resource, and our shared responsibility.
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MinDA supports PES implementation in Region 12
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n environmental mechanism designed to help sustain ecosystems that provide support to public utilities and other industries is currently gaining ground in North and South Cotabato, encouraging stakeholders to participate in a payment scheme aimed to protect the environment from eventual degradation. Dubbed as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), the mechanism is being pushed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to help sustain ecosystems that provide support to public utilities in these two provinces. Under the PES scheme, fees are collected from subscribers of public utilities that depend on natural resources, which are used to restore and maintain the environment from which these are sourced from. In partnership with two river basin organizations (RBO), the Allah Valley Landscape
Development Authority (AVLADA) of South Cotabato and Pigkawayan-AlamadaLibungan-MidsayapAleosan+Pikit and Banisilan (PALMA+PB) of North Cotabato, MinDA has completed the development of the PES frameworks for the conservation of Allah Valley River Basin and the North Cotabato River Basin in December of 2014. The fine-tuning and pilot implementation of the PES scheme in Region XII will commence during the First Quarter of 2015. The PES scheme is being adopted as a result of the lessons learned from Typhoons Sendong, Pablo and Yolanda, where the current state of the environment now necessitates a collective and collaborative action from all stakeholders to help rehabilitate, restore, and sustain ecosystems and its natural resources. The scheme is being successfully implemented in
Naawan, Misamis Oriental since 2013, and is MinDA’s first PES project. PES is aso being implemented in Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon. Both sites are in Region X. The local government unit of Naawan, which also operates the local water utility, collects PhP 1.00 for every cubic meter of water used by its subscribers, and uses the funds generated to reforest and maintain the
watershed area around Lake Danao, which provides the municipality’s water supply. PES schemes may vary depending on its appropriateness to specific resources and communities. Together with PES-Naawan and PES-Kalatungan in Bukidnon, PES-AVLADA and PES-PALMA+PB will serve as the pilot projects in implementing the PES scheme across Mindanao.
BSFP earmarks PhP 28 million for 131 barangays
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total of 131 barangays in Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA enrolled under the Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project (BSFP) have been validated and endorsed for funding as of June 2015. Funds amounting to P28 million were released to the respective DENR Regional Offices in support of the implementation of the community-based reforestation project. These funds will be sourced from the P1 billion mangrove and beach forest fund and the P1.5 billion supplemental budget for non-coastal areas.
This is part of an initial batch of up to 200 barangays throughout Mindanao that are being eyed as partners under the BSFP, where each barangay designates a 20-hectare reforestation area. Implemented in partnership with the DENR and the DILG, the BSFP aims to rehabilitate Mindanao’s forest cover particularly in those areas that are in the path of typhoons and are perennially flooded. These BSFP barangays are set to engage in mass reforestation of their designated areas, targeting to generate at least 2 million seedlings of forest,
mangrove, and other tree species such as cacao, rubber, coffee and coconuts. Livelihood opportunities are also provided to partner barangays to ensure that their constituents are able to develop a steady source of income that is also environmentally-sustainable. Support for cacao production is given special importance under the BSFP as MinDA prepares the island-region to grab a bigger share of the world cacao market through its Cacao Double-Up Program by increasing areas planted with cacao to 200,000 hectares by 2020, from an approximate of 18,000 hectares
as of 2014. “We hope to contribute in achieving the Aquino administration’s NGP targets through this project, while also securing environmental resiliency of our most vulnerable communities,” MinDA Chairperson Sec. Luwalhati Antonino said. MinDA is also recommending the Surigao-Davao Oriental coast as a strategic area of intervention to bolster Mindanao’s resiliency to the effects of stronger typhoons brought about by climate change.
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Inclusive public and private partnerships for effective watershed and coastal management, disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation, while providing income opportunities for local communities. The project aims to achieve the 30% or 867,925 hectares of forest cover by 2016 as articulated in the Mindanao 2020
PES is an environmental mechanism designed to help sustain ecosystems that provide support to public utilities and other industries. This mechanism encourages industry stakeholders to participate in a payment scheme aimed to protect the environment from eventual degradation caused by massive utilization of resources and excessive human activities
This is a capacity-building which aims to integrate R2R in the planning, investment programming, and policy formulation processes of the target NGAs, Academe, RBOs, LGU alliances, and other concerned bodies. For this year, the project is focused in training the MRBMC DRRM/CCAM Committee so that DRRM/CCAM aspect of the MRB master plan will be enhanced
TreeVolution | BSFP | RBOs
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This project aims to provide easy access to updated and comprehensive data/information about the major river basins in Mindanao. Through this information system, information will be generated on the projects, hydrological data and analysis, climatology, flora and fauna, socio-economic and demographic profile and events and disasters
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This project is intended to establish credible and updated statistics on environment that are regularly used by policy-makers and the public as guide in crafting policies and programs attuned to the current economic and social needs of society
The project will establish a DRRM-CCAM short course in the curriculum of pilot Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), or integrate it in existing courses like the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS).
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Celebrating Partnerships
for a Greener Mindan
GREENER MINDANAO Volunteers, guests, and dignitaries show their painted hands after imprinting their commitment on the “Wall of Commitment” during the event dubbed as “Celebrating Partnerships for a Greener Mindanao held at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City. (Photos below, l-r), Members of the Mindanao’s Young TreeVolutionist Movement (MYTM) imprint their commitment to plant more trees, reduce, reuse and recycle wastes; National Youth Commissioner for Mindanao Earl Saavedra, MinDA Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, USAID’s Joseph Foltz and MinDA Undersecretary Janet Lopoz speak before the audience during the event’s program as the Kalumon Performing Ensemble renders ethnic-inspired performances. Dignitaries gather during the unveiling of a three-dimensional diorama that depicts an economic and climate change-resilient community in Mindanao.
MindaNOW! Sulog
nao
Celebrating partnerships...
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potential of two “TreeVolution sites.” On September 26, 2014, Mindanawons from across the 27 provinces and 33 cities of the island-region made history by breaking a world record for the most number of trees planted in one hour in multiple locations. Dubbed as “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW,” the event achieved the planting of 4 million seedlings by 195,836 volunteers in 253 locations throughout the island-region, covering 6,863 hectares of land. The collective effort of volunteers from both the public and private sectors had the potential to increase by 1 percent the forest cover of Mindanao, which constitutes about 22 percent of its land area.
“I am responsible not just in planting trees but in leading the way in promoting and realizing environmental sustainability for the generations to come.” ~ Marianne Coleen Yuson Young TreeVolutionist The event’s MOA signing is a precursor to the eventual expansion of the LEDS Project to the rest of Mindanao. The Project will help communities find their way to a long-term, inclusive, and equitable development that is also climate-resilient. A communal imprinting of hand marks on the commitment was also conducted during the event, which signified the commitment of Mindanawons, particularly among members of the Mindanao Young TreeVolutionist Movement (MYTM) to extend beyond the gains of the TreeVolution as leaders and catalysts in protecting and nurturing the forests and natural resources of the island-region. The MYTM will serve as the main grass-roots driver of the youth sector in mobilizing for a sustained and intensified TreeVolution campaign.
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MinDA Board approves resolutions for environmental sustainability
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES 1st Mindanao RBO Conference
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series of resolutions focusing on Mindanao’s environment was approved by the Board of Directors of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) during the 8th Meeting held at The Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City on May 11, 2015. The resolutions called for measures to be taken for the preservation and promotion of Mindanao’s environmental integrity and sustainability, as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. These included the following: • Board Resolution No. 0046-8-2015 A RESOLUTION ENJOINING ALL CONCERNED NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO PRIORITIZE INTERVENTIONS FOR THE 19 CRITICAL RIVERS IN MINDANAO • Board Resolution No. 0056-8-2015 A RESOLUTION URGING ALL THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN MINDANAO TO SUPPORT THE TREEVOLUTION: GREENING MINDANOW ACTIVITIES AS A MEASURE TO RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION • Board Resolution No. 0055-8-2015 RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINDANAO FOR ITS FULL SUPPORT ON THE TREEVOLUTION: GREENING MINDANOW!
MinDA, in collaboration with the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of the DENR will be organizing the 1st Mindanao River Basin Organizations’ Conference on November 11-12, 2015. With the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for Dynamic River Basins in Mindanao”, the conference will serve as a platform to convene biodiversity experts, river basin organization officers, local chief executives, key government agencies, and international development partners to share their expertise, ideas, and innovations on river and water resource management. The conference also aims to increase awareness of the interplay between various river basin management challenges, encourage inter-regional cooperation and linkages to address river basin concerns, and share policy recommendations.
Mindanao Young TreeVolutionist Movement The Mindanao Young TreeVolutionist Movement (MYTM), or “My Team”, is organizing a Convergence early next year which will help operationalize the organziation into regional components. MYTM is an organization of young environment stewards across the islandregion, created by MinDA in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) in recognition of the active participation and leadership the youth sector during the TreeVolution. MYTM aims to mobilize the youth as the primary stakeholders of environmental programs and projects in Mindanao. Starting off with the MYTM Convergence, the movement will eventually be devolved and operationalized down to the regional level.
• Board Resolution No. 0045-8-2015 A RESOLUTION URGING ALL THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN COASTAL AREAS OF MINDANAO TO SUPPORT THE COASTAL GREENING PROJECT OF THE MINDANOW! NURTURING OUR WATERS PROGRAM • Board Resolution No. 0044-8-2015 A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CREATION OF THE MINDANAO YOUNG TREEVOLUTIONISTS MOVEMENT (MYTM) The MinDA Board of Directors regularly convene every two months, to set the overall direction and thrust of MinDA as provided for under Section 9 of Republic Act 9996, or the the “Act Creating the Mindanao Development Authority, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Providing Funds Therefor And for Other Purposes.”
MindaNOW! Sulog
Launching of the RBMIS The River Basin Management Information System (RBMIS) will be launched in the first quarter of 2015 which will allow easy access to real-time comprehensive data from remote sensors to be deployed in and around Mindanao’s major river basins. The cloud-based system will provide information on river basin projects, hydrological data and analysis, climatology, local flora and fauna, socio-economic and demographic profiles, and also serve as an early-warning system for impending natural disasters. The RBMIS is currently under development and will be pilot-tested in the Mindanao River Basin, after which the system will be expanded to include the seven other major river basins in the island-region.