NVizcaya DENR proves empowering villagers key to sustainable forest protection program

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (July 1) — Villager Valentin Descalzo, 40 of barangay Buenavista in this town was one of the upland settlers who were engaged in slash and burn system of farming or “Kaingin” to support their family in 1970s.

Descalzo, along with hundreds of upland settlers in this province have continuously brought harm and destruction on the natural-growth forests due to indiscriminate system of farming, charcoal making and tree cutting.

“But that was before. We have now transformed into responsible forest settlers,” Descalzo claimed.

Descalzo, now the president of the Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong and Kakilingan Upland Farmers, Inc. (FVHKKUFI) prides itself for the gradual rehabilitation of their community from their once-harsh and unfriendly way of living with the environment.

Their efforts paid off as co-managers of the forest when the y were awarded as the Best Sustainable Development Project in the province and in the whole of Cagayan Valley region in 2003.

FVHKKUFI track record came into national recognition after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officially endorsed their organization to implement a 177-hectare Research ? based Plantation Establishment Methods project under the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) in 1995 and eventually completed in 1997.

With their sterling performance, FVHKKUFI received a Community-Based Forest Management agreement strategy from the DENR which involves the sustainable development of at least 3,000 hectares of forestland.

“Because of our commitment, dedication and cooperation as a peoples organization, we have received development projects such as development of our road and construction of an elementary school,” Descalzo added.

He said the continuing information communication and education activities conducted by the DENR has reoriented their destructive attitudes into constructive practices.

Since their management, FVHKKUFI have consistently protected the remaining 1,500 residual dipterocarp forest, rehabilitated the denuded 1,500 hectares of forest land through the progressive plantation within the 100 hectares, regenerated natural forest cover for 100 hectares and produced agro-forestry farms for 1,300 hectares.

Descalzo said that aside from their forest-based protection and rehabilitation efforts, they now manage community-based enterprises such as tiger grass plantation, carabao for hire business and cattle fattening.

“Right now, we are in merging our linkages with various agencies of the government for partnership projects that can enhance our projects in our communities,” he said.

Other successful CBFM projects

In Dupax del Sur town, members of the Banila Community-Based Cooperative (BCBC) sold their precious possession of a carabao to jumpstart their business venture after the DENR awarded them a Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) covering more than 2,000 hectares in 1995.

The 94-member BCBC successfully implemented the reforestation of at least 221 hectares with GMelina trees funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 1995 to 2000; 80 hectares with GMelina plantation funded by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP); 7 hectares of GMelina and Mahogany with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2002 to 2003 and another 31 hectares under the government?s Upland Development Program (UDP).

BCBC also made developments on agro-forestry such as the 10 hectare fruit-bearing tree plantation through the CARP in 2003; 7 hectares under convergence agreement from 2005 to 2006, 21 hectares under the UDP in 2009, 8 hectares under the CARP in 2009 and the establishment of livelihood projects such as their Anthurium Cutflower industry which was funded by the JICA in 2003, hog dispersal project funded by the CARP and lending and trading of farm inputs through their cooperative.

“In fact,I was able to send two of my six children to school and was able to finish their studies through the services of our cooperative,” said Carmelita Catasos, 62, BCBC treasurer.

Ibaloi Ricardo Pelnac, 62, chair of the BCBC said they have refrained from burning and indiscriminate cutting of trees since their CBFMA was awarded by the DENR.

“BCBC members and no-members have learned many things… that our environment can give us livelihood if protected and maintained properly,” he said.

In the upland barangay of Nantawakan in Kasibu town, the 63-member Mutia Upland Farmers Association (MUFA) significantly carried out rehabilitation and reforestation activities within the 751 hectare mountains.

Since 2005, MUFA through their CBFM has implemented the establishment of a 25-hectare GMelina plantation, 25 hectare agro-forestry funded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation in 2007, vegetable production, 4 hectare agro-forestry, reforestation of 111 hectare with indigenous species of trees and ordinary fruit bearing trees funded by CARP.

“We are now earning from this project, with our cooperation as members, we hope to transfer this to our children so that they can also benefit from this,” said Michael Matias, MUFA chairman.

In Aritao town, in barangay Calitlitan, the Tribal Cooperative for Rural Development (TRICORD), has embarked on a tree farm lease contract to undertake agroforestry and tree planting on a 379 hectare mountain, now showing natural forest regeneration.

Produced from the agroforestry plantation are Durian and Marang fruits which are now being sold along the national highway, bringing income for TRICORD.

Julio Tacay, 75, TRICORD caretaker said the agro-forestry development has returned sufficient water in the mountains.

According to Rev. Danilo Bugtong, the area showcases the success of agroforestry projects in Nueva Vizcaya.

“There is a need to internalize the importance of tree planting among ourselves. Specially now that forest fire is the major problem that is threatening our efforts. So we need to educate the communities more,” Bugtong. (PIA NVizcaya)