“EXPANSION OF MT. HAMIGUITAN RANGE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY THROUGH LOCAL INITIATIVE ESTABLISHING THE LOCAL CONSERVATION AREA (LCA) IN SAN ISIDRO, ” THE AREA  part of the Key Biodiversity Area of the Eastern Biodiversity Corridor  3,784.21 ha, classified as timberland, composed of Agro-ecosystem and Dipterocarp forest underlying between 100-500 masl  houses threatened species of Shorea (Dipterocarp species), the Philippine endemic species, the endangered Lady’s Slipper and the near threatened Tarsier

CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES  encroachment of timber poaching in LCA  illegal gathering of wildlife resources  uncontrolled entries of visitors MHRWS HISTORY: A Significant Milestone

•1965 – marks the beginning for the discovery of a splendid, fascinating and beautiful Range Wildlife Sanctuary in San Isidro, Davao Oriental, . •In same year – an old Mandaya Chieftain Daramba Bago persistently requested the then young writer Justina MB. Yu to write a story about what they considered the “mysterious Mount Hamiguitan”, whose peak was always covered with clouds. However, Ms. Yu did not act on the request because of the inaccessibility of the area. •28 years later in 1993 – Ms. Yu became the Mayor of San Isidro and that she sent a group to document the Hidden Lake near the peak. The documenters also accidentally discovered the outstanding landscape of stunted old dwarf trees at the tip of Mount Hamiguitan. •1994 – because of patient and constant request of Mayor Yu, House of Representative Member Honorable Thelma Almario filed House Bill No. 3872 entitled “An Act Declaring Mount Hamiguitan in the Municipality of San Isidro, Province of Davao Oriental, a National Park, Providing for its Development and Appropriating Funds Thereof”. •July 30, 2004 – based on House Bill 2777 filed by the Davao Oriental 2nd Congressional District Representative Joel Mayo Z. Almario, the national government approved Republic Act 9303, “Declaring Mount Hamiguitan Range and its Vicinities as under the Category of Wildlife Sanctuary and its Peripheral Areas as Buffer Zone.” •On 21st regular session of the 14th Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of San Isidro, Davao Oriental, the Municipal Ordinance No. 225 was approved, “declaring certain timberlands of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary as Local Conservation Area (LCA). •Currently, the mountain range claims a coveted 6th spot in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, Wildlife Category. Delegates of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee voted to grant the inscription of MHRWS in Heritage List during the committee’s 38th Session on Monday, June 23, 2014 in Doha, Qatar. It was attended by Honorable Governor of Davao Oriental Hon. Corazon N. Malanyaon and Honorable Mayor of San Isidro, Davao Oriental Hon. Justina MB. Yu. Expanded Buffer Zone Expanded Buffer Zone as LCA as LCA (Mun. Ord. No. (Mun. Ord. No. 225 230 Series of 2014 ) Series of 2014 )

PA Buffer Zone (RA 9303) PA Core Zone (RA 9303) Buffer Zone Expansion Affected Area: CBFM Total Core Zone 3,807.85 (PA CZ) + 0 (LCA) = 3,807.85 ha

Total Buffer Zone 303.12 (PA BZ) + 3,784.21 (LCA) + 731 (LCA) = 4,818.31 ha

TOTAL AREA…… 8,626.16 ha Expanded Buffer Zone Expanded Buffer Zone as LCA as LCA (Mun. Ord. No. (Mun. Ord. No. 225 230 Series of 2014 ) Series of 2014 )

PA Buffer Zone (RA 9303) PA Core Zone (RA 9303) Buffer Zone Expansion Affected Area: CBFM Total Core Zone 3,807.85 (PA CZ) + 0 (LCA) = 3,807.85 ha

Total Buffer Zone 303.12 (PA BZ) + 3,784.21 (LCA) + 731 (LCA) = 4,818.31 ha

TOTAL AREA…… 8,626.16 ha THE PROCESSES BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LCA ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. PASO/DENR XI BPP determined the need for LCA establishment and included under the UNDP-GEF assisted Biodiversity Partnerships Project 2. PASO/DENR XI BPP reviewed the scientific studies and other technical references and come up with the documentation of data and desired map 3. PASO/DENR XI BPP initiated coordination and conducted orientation with the concerned LGU regarding the need to establish LCA as expansion of the existing PA 4. PASO/DENR XI BPP presented the proposed LCA map and its scientific and technical basis to the legislative council or the Municipal Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of the LGU 5. SB San Isidro processed the crafting of the Municipal Ordinance with the assistance of the PASO 6. SB San Isidro had undertaken the legislation process 7. The Local Chief Executive approved the Municipal Ordinance No. 225 establishing the LCA SUSTAINABILITY MECHANISMS

Encouraging the other two concerned LGUs (Mun. and City of Mati) to fully enact their respective LCA Ordinance which are currently on process.

Implementation of Provincial IRR by LGU San Isidro and eventually by other LGUs having established their respective LCAs.

Elevating the LCA into a full-fledged Protected Area under NIPAS thru congressional, amending the existing RA 9303 (Mt. Hamiguitan Protected Area Act of 2004) .

Creation of Protected Area-LCA Technical Committee.

Organization of Bantay Gubat/Ecoguide. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPSCALING LCAs

 Allow CSOs, POs and community for active participation in LCA management.

 The municipal government, in consultation with PAMB and subject to its guidance, shall continue enact corresponding ordinances, issue executive orders and promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this ordinance and the co-management.

 Only duly approved and permitted biodiversity-friendly ecotourism activities by registered ecotourism organizers/operators may be allowed in the LCA under the supervision of municipal authorities.

 The Coordinating Office shall maintain a registry of users and occupants for th  e purpose of profiling and determining length of use and/or occupation including scientific research and ecotourism activities.

 Above all, the management plan of the LCA shall be integrated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) to strictly enforce the provisions stipulated in the plan. LESSONS LEARNED A. Success Factors The Scientific research studies, technical data and other references are considered as facilitating factors that strongly support the establishment of the LCA of San Isidro, Davao Oriental:

 Part of the KBA of the whole Mt. Hamiguitan Range within the Pujada Peninsula based on the EMBC research study (PEF, CI-Philippine and DENR, 2008).  Part of the Important Bird Area (IBA# PH089) covering the Mt. Hamiguitan Range as declared by the Bird Life International (www.birdlife.org).  Considered as critical habitat since it shelters threatened species of flora and fauna (Amoroso et al., 2007).  Home to a variety of endemic species with economic, medicinal, ornamental and ecological importance which exemplify the Outstanding Universal Value of the whole Mt. Hamiguitan Range (Amoroso et al., 2007). A. Success Factors (cont.)

 Pilot demonstration site of the UNDP-GEF assisted Biodiversity Partnerships Project under the DENR-BMB where KBA site is the target for conservation and protection (BMB, UNDP-GEF Project Document, 2010)  The need to expand the buffer zone of the existing PA of MHRWS in connection with its bid for inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List (at that time when the property has not been inscribed yet) (MHRWS Nomination Dossier - Supplemental Documents, 2013). B. Challenges and Issues  The presence of Alienable and Disposable (A&D) land within its area which attracted and drawn speculations from alleged claimants to pursue land titling and incompatible developments inside the A&D land within the LCA  If such activities are not regulated, the LCA will be prone to land conversions and disturbances which may negatively affect its biological and ecological significance.  It was decided that a Task Force will be created to help the involved organizations in regulating/preventing further speculations and exploitation over the forested A&D land. * The negative effect of industrialization on the existence of bonsai forest. A huge possibility that these dwarf and sturdy trees maybe illegally exploited. This can be overcome by land use zoning identifying areas for industrial, commercial and residential. * Encroachment of timber poaching inside the MHRWS result to deforestation of the protected area. The organized Bantay Gubat should regularly monitor the area. * Presence of rattan furniture industry which possibly source out raw materials inside the MHRWS. The MLGU should not give permit to this kind of industry. * Illegal and uncontrolled entries of visitors leaving garbages and wastes in the area that result to possible damage of the protection zone. This can be overcome by regulating the entries of tourists both local and foreign. * Limited availability of local government funds to carry out programs/ project/activities in the protection of MHRWS. The LGU should provide additional budget for the establishment of LCA. * Capabilities and capacities of MHRWS PAMB and PASu needs strengthening in order to heighten their knowledge on their authorities, duties and responsibilities. This can be done through series of trainings and seminars. * Possible hampering of MHRWS existence of biodiversity by establishing ecotourism business activities at MHRWS. Regulate ecotourism business activities in the area.

Madaigay na Salamat Kamayo!