PROTECT WILDLIFE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT 1

July-September 2016

OCTOBER 2016

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 1 PROTECT WILDLIFE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT 1

July-September 2016

Activity Title: Protect Wildlife Activity

Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/

Contract Number: AID-OAA-I-14-00014/AID-492-TO-16-00002

Contractor: DAI

Date of Publication: October 2016

Author: DAI

The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States AgencyProtect for Wildlife International Quarterly Development Progress Report or the1 United States Government. 3 CONTENTS

PREFACE ...... i ABBREVIATIONS ...... ii

1.0 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS THIS QUARTER...... 1 1.1 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW ...... 1 1.2 MAJOR START-UP ACTIVITIES ...... 3 1.2.1 MEETINGS WITH USAID AND DENR ...... 3 1.2.2 LOGISTICAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ...... 5 2.0 CONTRACT DELIVERABLES AND YEAR 1 WORK PLAN ...... 8 2.1 SUBMISSION OF CONTRACT DELIVERABLES ...... 8 2.2 MEETINGS WITH POTENTIAL PARTNERS FOR ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION ...... 9 3.0 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES ...... 10 4.0 PLANS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER ...... 11 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING AND COORDINATION ...... 11 4.2 INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES ...... 11 4.3 LOGISTICS AND ADMINISTRATION ...... 13 5.0 PAST AND PROJECTED EXPENDITURES ...... 14

ANNEX

SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS IN CITY AND TAWI-TAWI ...... 16

TABLES TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE STAFF OF PROTECT WILDLIFE BY LOCATION ...... 6 TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND PROJECTED EXPENDITURES FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2016 ...... 14

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 1 PREFACE

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Mission to the Philippines, has contracted DAI Global, LLC (DAI) as the implementing partner for the Protect Wildlife activity under Contract No. AID-492-TO-16-00002. The effective date of the contract is June 17, 2016 through December 11, 2020. DAI partners with four organizations—Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc. (OIDCI); Rare, Inc.; Conservation International Foundation (CIF); and Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. (TK)—in implementing the activity. The Contract requires DAI to submit Quarterly Progress Reports to USAID within 30 days from the close of each operating quarter. Quarterly Progress Reports include information about the task order and a summary of progress of activities in relation to the requirements of the task order, indicating any problems encountered and proposing remedial actions as appropriate. Each report articulates progress toward outcomes and highlights key achievements and problem areas that require senior management intervention. Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report objectives consist of five sections. The first is an overview of the activity and a summary of progress during the preceding quarter. The second section provides detailed updates on activities undertaken for each of Contract Line Item No. (CLIN) 0001 composed of various Sub-CLINs. There are no activities under CLIN 002 yet. The third section lists the different issues and challenges encountered during the start-up and initial phase of the activity start-up, while the fourth section outlines the plans for the succeeding quarter. The last section provides details on expenditures for the quarter and projected spending for the next. This first quarterly report covers the period of June 17, 2016 to September 30, 2016. It provides a summary of major start-up activities, including the conduct of the theory of change (TOC) workshop; finalization of Protect Wildlife TOCs; and preparation of the first annual work plan and the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 i ABBREVIATIONS

BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources BMB Biodiversity Management Bureau B+WISER Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience CLIN Contract Line Item Number CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan COP Chief of Party CSO civil society organization CWT counter wildlife trafficking DAI Development Alternatives, Inc. DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources DOI United States Department of the Interior DOJ Department of Justice ECOFISH Ecosystem Improved for Sustainable Fisheries ELAC Environment Legal Assistance Center FASPS Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Service F-indicator Foreign Assistance Framework Indicator GDA USAID Global Development Alliance HEI higher educational institution HO DAI home office IUU illegal, unreported, and unregulated KAP knowledge, attitudes, and practices LGU local government unit MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning NCIP National Commission on Indigenous Peoples NIPAS National Integrated Protected Areas System NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NRM natural resources management PAMB Protected Area Management Board PBC III Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation Phase 3 PCSD Palawan Council for Sustainable Development PCSDS Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office PES payment for ecosystem services PPP public-private partnership SA Strategic Approach SL sustainable landscapes TAMIS Technical Assistance Management Information System TOC Theory of Change USAID United States Agency for International Development VIIRS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite WEO Wildlife Enforcement Officer WildLEAP Wildlife Law Enforcement Action Plan ZamBaSulTa Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 ii

1.0 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS THIS QUARTER

The Protect Wildlife Activity, a technical assistance grant by the United States Government to the Government of the Philippines, supports initiatives to align conservation policy with on-the- ground wildlife management actions and enforcement from June 17, 2016 to December 11, 2020. Protect Wildlife’s long-term vision is to contribute toward biodiversity conservation in the Philippines. The activity aims to help reduce threats to biodiversity, reduce poaching and use of illegally harvested wildlife and wildlife products, and improve ecosystem goods and services for human well-being. It will also link wildlife habitat management and enforcement with local, regional, and national development processes.

Protect Wildlife fits within the USAID Biodiversity Policy (USAID 2015) that “builds upon the Agency’s long history of conserving a global biological heritage for current and future generations and reflects a deep understanding of the role that healthy natural systems play in achieving the Agency’s human-development goals”. The activity is the first USAID Philippines initiative to combat wildlife trafficking and directly implement the US Government’s newly signed Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016. Protect Wildlife supports the Philippines’ current policies and programs on biodiversity conservation and reduction of wildlife trafficking under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW As a megadiverse country, the Philippines claims to be the “center of the center” of nearshore marine diversity, including corals and reef fishes. It is home to about 1,100 terrestrial vertebrates and 5% of the world’s flora, a significant proportion of which are considered endemic. However, much of these biodiversity assets continue to be under various threats. Wildlife habitats and species are under risk and pressures from both natural and human interventions such as land conversion for agriculture and settlements; illegal, unregulated, and unreported harvesting; and destructive mining and quarrying. Local stakeholders have limited knowledge on the value of biodiversity and the ecosystems goods and services they provide. There are also limited economic incentives, financial support, and capacities to manage wildlife habitats and regulate uses in highly diverse areas. Protect Wildlife seeks to improve local capacities; incentivize communities and local government units (LGUs); leverage financing support; and deepen knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for the effective management, regulation, and enforcement of wildlife habitats in relation to other appropriate land and resource uses in biologically significant areas in Palawan, /Sulu Sea, and additional two sites. Protect Wildlife will also address wildlife

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 1 trafficking outside habitats, especially in transit points such as ports, markets, and other transaction hotspots. Protect Wildlife has the following five strategic approaches (SAs): Strategic Approach 1: Improved Attitudes and Behaviors toward Biodiversity Conservation, with five-year targets of: • 100 people trained to lead behavior change campaigns • 25 behavior change campaigns implemented • 300,000 people reached by behavior change campaigns Strategic Approach 2: Intensified Private and Public Sector Financing for Conserving Biodiversity, with five-year targets of: • US$500,000 revenues generated from the sale of ecosystem services in targeted sites • 100 payments for ecosystem services (PES) and PES-like or tourism initiatives • US$5 million in Global Development Alliance (GDA) investments in Protect Wildlife anti-poaching and trafficking efforts Strategic Approach 3: Improved Biodiversity Conservation Competencies of Local Government Units (LGUs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), with five-year targets of: • 200 LGU staff trained in participatory planning for integrated conservation and development • 2,500 community members trained in planning and implementation of integrated conservation and development • 200 LGU staff trained, certified, and formally deputized as Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs) by government agencies Strategic Approach 4: Enhanced Capacities of Universities to Advance Biodiversity Conservation Education, Research, Monitoring, and Innovation, with five-year targets of: • 25 university-supported research initiatives implemented at Protect Wildlife sites • 10 universities developing conservation curricula with support from Protect Wildlife Strategic Approach 5: Enhanced Competencies of National Government Agencies in Enforcing Biodiversity Conservation-Related Laws and Policies, with five-year targets of: • 1,000 government staff trained in combating wildlife and environmental crime • 50 new or revised laws and regulations adopted to combat wildlife crimes • 1,000 confiscations, seizures, and arrests resulting from capacity building provided by Protect Wildlife

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 2 In Year 1, Protect Wildlife’s geographic scope includes threatened wildlife habitats in terrestrial and marine/coastal areas in Palawan, such as the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, and mangroves and marine protected areas in southern Palawan; and in Zamboanga City-Tawi-Tawi, such as the Natural Park, Santa Cruz Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape, and nearby watersheds, mangroves, marine protected areas and turtle nesting sites. DENR and USAID will identify two more sites in Year 2 of implementation. Protect Wildlife implements activities through its field offices in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and Zamboanga City. The Manila office maintains the national advisors and specialists who will work with national-level agencies and provide technical support to activities in the sites. Protect Wildlife’s principal counterparts are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). At the local level, Protect Wildlife works directly with the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and provincial, city, and municipal LGUs, as well as the local offices of national government agencies entrusted with natural resources management. In Palawan, Protect Wildlife coordinates with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS). At various levels, Protect Wildlife works with non-government and civil society organizations, higher educational institutions (HEIs), and land and resource managers (tenure, domain, agreement, fisher folk, and coastal community organizations).

MAJOR START-UP ACTIVITIES DAI mobilized senior officers and staff to work with the Protect Wildlife Chief of Party, (COP), Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), and locally-hired staff in setting up the organizational, technical, logistical, financial, and institutional needs of the new USAID-supported activity in the Philippines.

1.2.1 MEETINGS WITH USAID AND DENR

a) On July 15, 2016, Mr. Walter E. Weaver, Director for Environment, Asia-Pacific of DAI led the Protect Wildlife team during the initial meeting with Ms. Dani Newcomb, Mr. Randy Vinluan, Ms. Ester Pura, and other USAID staff. The meeting resulted in agreements on Protect Wildlife start-up activities. The highlights of the meeting were the following:

 In Year 1, the focus will be on Palawan and the Sulu Archipelago, which USAID defines as Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi. Protect Wildlife does not include Spratly Islands and probably will not cover Turtle Islands. Tubbataha Reefs remains within scope. The Contract’s geographic language is open to allow flexibility during implementation. Sites 3 and 4 will be determined in consultation with the DENR. A map of wildlife crime hotspots and DENR priority areas may influence the selection of the additional two sites in Year 2.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 3  Protect Wildlife’s technical themes are biodiversity conservation; counter wildlife trafficking (CWT); and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The activity will also later include illegal logging/timber trade. Wildlife will cover both fauna and forest/timber species.  Life of activity funding will be 60% biodiversity, 20% CWT, and, starting on Year 3, 20% sustainable landscapes (SL). The current obligation is 100% biodiversity. The activity has to track spending against the biodiversity earmark, as well as attributions for CWT; IUU fishing; public-private partnerships (PPP); and science, technology, and innovation. The Mission’s budget for CWT is about US$1 million per year and is fully allocated to Protect Wildlife. SL will add complexity to reporting, adding, for example, greenhouse gas reductions.  For CWT and law enforcement, Protect Wildlife must never include military personnel in training activities except for consultations and meetings. Police, coast guards, and customs personnel may be included in training but must go through Leahy Vetting, which takes a minimum of 45 business days. This will require advance planning in conducting enforcement training activities.  Staff candidates coming to Protect Wildlife from another USAID activity may not receive a salary increase if they have already received an increase in the previous fiscal year. Also, annual salary increases may not exceed 5% per year (including promotions) per the REPLACE IDIQ requirements.  During the meeting, the possibility of launching the activity was discussed, including the setting up of the official meeting between Dr. Susan K. Brems, USAID Mission Director for the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia; and the new DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and other DENR officials.

b) On July 18, 2016, Ms. Jenny Baker, DAI Regional Managing Director for Asia; Mr. Walter E. Weaver; and the Protect Wildlife team met with Dr. Susan K. Brems and other USAID/Philippines staff. USAID/Philippines expressed full support to the implementation of Protect Wildlife, the first USAID initiative on combating wildlife trafficking in the Philippines and which also supports the United States government’s policy and commitment to combating wildlife crime at the global level. The DAI team briefly discussed the technical assistance that the team will deliver to implement the activity and reiterated its commitment to ensure that the activity’s objectives are met. Also mentioned was DAI’s long experience in implementing USAID-funded natural resource management (NRM) projects in the Philippines.

c) On July 26, 2016, Mr. Walter Weaver and the Protect Wildlife team met with Mr. Jeremy Gustafson, Director of the Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change; and other USAID staff. The discussions touched on what the activity is about, what the technical assistance team intends to do, and possible collaboration/complementation with other USAID NRM-related activities such as B+WISER, ECOFISH, DOI, and PBC III. Among the priority actions discussed was the need to launch Protect Wildlife with DENR and other partners.

d) On August 10, 2016, Ms. Newcomb, Mr. Vinluan, and the Protect Wildlife COP Ernesto Guiang and DCOP Rebecca Paz met with the BMB Director, Assistant Director, and

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 4 Planning Division Chief. It was agreed to work with DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) and DENR Field Operations for the crafting of a Special Order that will lay down the joint implementation arrangement of Protect Wildlife in collaboration with the DA-BFAR and the PCSD. USAID was to formally inform the BMB about the award of Protect Wildlife to DAI as the implementing contractor.

e) On September 7, 2016, Ms. Newcomb, Mr. Vinluan, and the Protect Wildlife COP and DCOP met with DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones and Director Edwin Domingo and Mr. Conrad Bravante of DENR-FASPS. On behalf of DENR, the Undersecretary thanked USAID for the new technical assistance grant to conserve biodiversity and reduce wildlife trafficking in the Philippines. The Undersecretary instructed DENR-FASPS to facilitate the planned field validation activities of the technical assistance team for its Year 1 Work Plan in Palawan and Zamboanga on September 15 to 22, 2016. The USAID officials also mentioned about the need for the USAID Mission Director to formally meet with the DENR Secretary to discuss Protect Wildlife and the possibility of an official launching activity.

1.2.2 LOGISTICAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS DAI engaged several intermittent home office (HO) and locally hired staff to assist in setting up the logistical, organizational, and financial requirements of Protect Wildlife. The following staff provided support and assistance from July to September 2016:  Walter Weaver – team organization, work planning  Alma Porciuncula – logistics, banking, registration, coordination, office lease  Aida Mendoza – procurement  Julia Czaplinski – start-up support  Lawrence Blatnick – start-up support  Gretchen Wallisch – project management systems setup  Nazia Salam – start-up support  Alison Tyler – staff recruitment  James Merrill – start-up support  Tanja Lumba – setup of Technical Assistance Management Information System (TAMIS)  Erik Bjers – IT support and procurement review, recruitment of IT Manager

a) Hiring of Protect Wildlife Staff

Table 1 below provides a summary of staffing status, by staff type and by location, as of end of September 2016.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 5

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE STAFF OF PROTECT WILDLIFE BY LOCATION

Staff Type Region Categories Total Technical Support Manila Palawan Zamboanga No. of staff on board 27 18 9 20 3 4 No. of staff for USAID approval 2 2 2 No. of staff for recruitment 16 7 9 8 5 3 Total Long-Term Technical 45 27 18 28 8 9 Assistance Staff

Hiring for unnamed positions in the organizational chart and for replacements is ongoing. Also on process is the hiring for two component leads, the Biodiversity Conservation Advisor and the Conservation Finance Advisor, as well as the Resource Economist and a short-term Public-Private Partnership Specialist. The recruitment of the finance and logistics support staff for the site offices is also ongoing. The Finance and Operations Director will be on board in early October.

b) Code of Business Ethics and Conduct for Protect Wildlife

DAI has an established Code of Business Ethics and Conduct that it applies globally. It alerts DAI employees and affiliates to areas of ethical risk, provides guidance and information to help them recognize ethical concerns, and establishes standards and procedures to facilitate timely discovery of improper conduct. Pursuant to Section I.2 (b) in the Protect Wildlife Task Order, the activity adapted its code to the local context and organized an instructor-led Ethics Training in the Manila office. On September 5, 2016, the COP led the group of 15 staff, with assistance from the team's Human Resources Manager and DAI HO Start-Up Associate. Each participant received a hard copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the full training workbook. The COP led discussions on cultural norms and sensitivities, while several activity staff suggested educating the team on cultural norms of different ethnic and religious groups, particularly Muslims, in preparation for field work in Palawan and . DAI will continue to train Protect Wildlife staff as they come on board through DAI’s online ethics training course. In addition, all activity employees will be required to complete the Ethics and Compliance training and certification on an annual basis.

c) Office Spaces: Manila, Zamboanga City, and Puerto Princesa

Lease agreements for the Manila and Zamboanga offices have been signed and executed. The Manila office is undergoing fit-out and is expected to be ready for occupancy by end of November 2016. The Zamboanga office is fully operational. For the Palawan office, the

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 6 lease is expected to be signed by end of October 2016 and occupancy will be on December 1, 2016. Office equipment and furniture will be procured in November 2016. In Manila, the Protect Wildlife office is temporarily located at Regus in Joy Nostalg Center along ADB Avenue in , City. The staff will be in this location up to the end of November 2016. The Protect Wildlife office addresses are:  Manila: Units 1607-1608, Orient Square Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City  Zamboanga: Unit C, 3F HC Marketing Building, Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City  Palawan: Unit 2, 2nd Floor, Tri-Gold Business Park, National Highway, San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City.

d) Local Registration of Activity Offices

Registration of DAI offices with the city local governments requires a lease agreement and occupancy permit. Only the Zamboanga office has completed its registration. The two other offices will be registered as soon as all the requirements are obtained.

e) Procurement

The following major procurement activities have been completed:  Fit-out of Manila office  Office partitions, cabinets, and furniture for the Manila and Zamboanga offices  Computer equipment, including laptops, server and printers  Internet services  VoIP and video conference equipment  Server rack, parts, and accessories Pending are the procurement of office furniture, equipment, and vehicles for the Palawan office; life and healthcare insurance coverage; and telephone landlines for the Manila office.

f) Opening of Bank Account

The Protect Wildlife bank account is expected to be opened by mid-November 2016. The team is putting together the required documents from the HO, which need to be notarized and attested by the Philippine consulate in the United States.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 7 2.0 CONTRACT DELIVERABLES AND YEAR 1 WORK PLAN

DAI has submitted several deliverables and completed activities for upcoming deliverables. Several meetings were also held with several potential partners for the activity implementation.

SUBMISSION OF CONTRACT DELIVERABLES

a) On August 1, 2016, DAI submitted to USAID two required deliverables: the Protect Wildlife Gender Action Plan and Branding Implementation and Marking Plan. USAID reviewed and gave comments on the Gender Action Plan and suggested that it should be finalized after the conduct of gender assessments in the two core sites. USAID has initially reviewed the Branding Implementation and Marking Plan with comments to align and make it consistent with new USAID guidelines. DAI submitted a revised version. On October 6, 2016, USAID/Philippines’ Office of Program Resources Management held a meeting and orientation for Protect Wildlife focal persons on development outreach and communication, branding, and marking.

b) The Protect Wildlife technical assistance team held a one-week theory of change workshop from August 22 to 26, 2016. The resource persons were Ms. Arlyne Johnson and Ms. Judy Boshovan from Foundations of Success, and Ms. Megan Hill from USAID/Washington. USAID/Philippines helped arrange and coordinate the conduct of the TOC workshop. More than 20 participants from the Protect Wildlife team, DENR, and USAID/Philippines participated in the workshop.

c) On September 12, 2016, DAI submitted to USAID/Philippines the TOC draft, a key activity deliverable under the contract.

d) From September 12 to 23, 2016, the Protect Wildlife team, together with DENR-FASPS, DENR-BMB, DENR field unit staff, and USAID/Philippines (for the Palawan site only), met with various local stakeholders for an orientation on Protect Wildlife, and consultations and discussions on the proposed strategic approaches, activities, and potential target sites. Results of the site visits and consultations were to be used in preparing the Year 1 Work Plan and ensuring that there have been initial buy-ins from local stakeholders. After the site visits and consultations, the Protect Wildlife team started preparing the Year 1 Work Plan for submission to USAID/Philippines on October 3, 2016.

e) Concurrent with the preparation of the Year 1 work plan was the formulation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan. The MEL Plan was based on results chains and learning questions identified in TOCs of each strategic approach. It also considered relevant Foreign Assistance Framework Indicators (F-indicators) of USAID to account for the contribution of Protect Wildlife to USAID/Philippines Economic

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 8 Growth (EG) development objective. The MEL Plan was also for submission to USAID/Philippines on October 3, 2016.

MEETINGS WITH POTENTIAL PARTNERS FOR ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION Several meetings were held during the previous quarter to discuss potential partnership for collaboration with other USAID-supported activities in Palawan and Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu- Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) region. On September 9, 2016, the Protect Wildlife team met with the US Department of the Interior (DOI)- Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation Phase 3 (PBC III), B+WISER, and ECOFISH to discuss possible activities that can be incorporated in the Year 1 Work Plan. Discussions during the meeting focused on the marine turtle trade assessment; Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS); DOI wildlife forensics and wildlife law enforcement; and LAWIN and DALOY of B+WISER and ECOFISH, respectively. Emerging areas for collaboration are wildlife law enforcement training in Palawan and Zamboanga City, Forest/Comprehensive Land Use Planning (F/CLUP)/biodiversity management plan preparation in Zamboanga City, ECOFISH DALOY, and B+WISER training on LAWIN.

Mr. Randy Vinluan of USAID and Protect Wildlife COP Ernesto Guiang also met with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientist for possible testing and piloting among fisherfolks in southern Palawan of fishing gear or net that will reduce the catch of endangered species such as marine turtles.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 9 3.0 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

The Protect Wildlife activity faced several issues and challenges during the start-up period. These are summarized below.

a) Increasing security risk in Tawi-Tawi and, to a certain extent, in Zamboanga City as a result of intensified military campaigns against the Abu Sayyaf. For the quarter, a total of 21 events related to terrorism/kidnapping, and Moro and communist insurgency, and crime and other related incidents were recorded (see Annex A). The security situation has implications on the level of on-site support and assistance that Protect Wildlife can provide in target wildlife habitats and to partners in Mindanao. In Year 1, this issue will limit activity engagements in ZamBaSulTa and expand support in Palawan target sites. Protect Wildlife has engaged a Security Director to gather and assess security risks in activity sites and provide timely advice. He will also coordinate with other USAID- supported activities on similar risk assessment activities in Mindanao.

b) Recruitment of key technical staff, such as the Biodiversity Conservation Advisor and the Conservation Finance Advisor, demanded more effort to broaden the recruitment process in order to identify and select the most qualified candidates. In the meantime, the COP, the DCOP, and other team members have filled in for the two advisors, especially in the preparation of the work plan and consultations with local stakeholders.

c) Complex and bureaucratic requirements of the Pasig City local government and the owner of the Orient Square Building have delayed the fitting out of the Manila office. As a solution, DAI has extended the Protect Wildlife office in its temporary location up to the end of November 2016.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 10 4.0 PLANS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING AND COORDINATION

 Submission of drafts of Year 1 Work Plan and MEL Plan on October 3, 2016.  Submission of final drafts of Year 1 Work Plan, TOC, MEL Plan, Branding Implementation and Marking Plan, and Communications Plan after these are refined based on USAID’s review.  Attendance to the Chief of Party (COP) meeting in USAID on October 5, 2016.  Drafting and finalization of a Special Order to be issued by DENR Central Office with regard to implementation arrangements for Protect Wildlife, including the creation of a Steering Committee with representation from BFAR, NCIP, and other key partners.  Meeting among site-based technical staff and Manila-based specialists and advisors to agree on a detailed and coordinated schedule of activities for Year 1 and for October to December 2016.  Courtesy calls to regional directors of DENR Regions 4B and 9 and DENR-ARMM in Cotabato City to discuss the implementation arrangement and Year 1 Work Plan of Protect Wildlife. The Protect Wildlife Team also plans to meet non-DENR agencies such as BFAR, NCIP, PNP, and Philippine Coast Guard that are also involved in wildlife law enforcement and regulating wildlife trafficking activities.  Presentation of Year 1 Work Plan to PCSDS, Palawan Provincial Government, and provincial offices of relevant national agencies, and discussion on partnership arrangements.  Meetings and discussions with key stakeholders (LGUs, Protected Area Management Boards, national agencies, civil society organizations) of identified priority seascapes and landscapes for Year 1 to confirm their interest and commitment to participate in Protect Wildlife.

INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES National Level Activities

 Joint work with BMB Wildlife Regulation Division in the design and conduct of the National Wildlife Law Enforcement Summit and preparation of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Action Plan (WildLEAP) scheduled on November 21 to 24, 2016.

 Participation in the Environmental Summit in Palawan scheduled on the last week of November 2016.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 11 Strategic Approach 1

 Finalization of the Scope of Work and arrangements for engaging a contractor to carry out baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys in priority sites and design of the research instrument.  Communication strategy planning workshop with PCSDS using results of their province- wide KAP and audit of previous campaigns.  Development of training and capability building modules for programmed training activities for Year 1. Strategic Approach 2

 Identification of potential public and private financing sources for conservation activities in priority sites, including opportunities for PES and for fund leveraging under the USAID Global Development Alliances (GDA); initiation of technical assistance for the development of PES or PES-like schemes and GDA financing opportunities

 As soon as a resource economist is engaged, with STTA support, initiate conduct of resource valuation studies on selected natural assets and services together with value chain analysis of selected environment and natural resources-linked products in southern Palawan. Strategic Approach 3

 Assessment of priority biologically significant areas in Zamboanga City and Palawan to establish baseline information on current biophysical and social assets, level of effectiveness of governance arrangements for these areas, awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues, and potentials for private and public financing of conservation activities and livelihood/enterprise ventures for communities. Strategic Approach 4

 Exploratory meetings with higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Palawan, Zamboanga City, and Tawi-Tawi; and with national resource institutions such as the UP Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, UP Marine Science Institute, and UP Los Baños for the development of a collaborative agenda for biodiversity research and education.  The team also plans to meet private universities in Manila such as Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas. Strategic Approach 5

 Assessment of target wildlife habitat sites in priority sites, and of violations monitoring and wildlife trafficking in and out of wildlife habitats.  Consultations with national and local partners in Palawan and Zamboanga City for assessment of enforcement capabilities, conduct of joint training, policy review/dialogues, and other technical assistance for wildlife law enforcement.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 12  Conduct of training of WEOs in Palawan with PCSDS and Environment Legal Assistance Center (ELAC).  Train Luzon-based prosecutors on wildlife and other environmental laws in partnership with US DOI and the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ). Cross Cutting Activities

 Conduct of gender assessment and analysis of domain and tenure holders and coastal/upland communities in southern Palawan and Zamboanga City, and finalization of the Protect Wildlife Gender Plan.  Development of the Protect Wildlife database (initially in spreadsheets) for the consolidation, analysis, and reporting of contract deliverables and outcomes data.  Conduct of team meeting and performance assessment for the quarter (October to December 2016).

LOGISTICS AND ADMINISTRATION  Completion of hiring of technical advisors and remaining specialists, specifically the Biodiversity Conservation Advisor, Conservation Financing Advisor, Resource Economist, University Engagement Specialist, and site-based logistics and finance staff.  Transfer to the Manila office in late November or early December 2016, and to the Puerto Princesa office on December 1, 2016.  Completion of registration of Palawan and Manila offices and opening of Protect Wildlife bank account.  Submission to USAID of vehicle procurement proposal for approval.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 13 5.0 PAST AND PROJECTED

EXPENDITURES

Table 2 provides a summary of Protect Wildlife’s actual expenditures as of September 30, 2016 and projected expenditures based on planned activities for October to December 2016.

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND PROJECTED EXPENDITURES FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2016

Projected Expenditures as Sub-CLIN Budget Expenditures for Cost Elements of September (Year 1) October-December 30, 2016 2016 CLIN 0001. 01 Capacity Building and Technical $838,529 $67,580 $83,693 Assistance at the National and Subnational Levels - Subtotal CLIN 0001.02 Conservation Financing from Public and $1,024,868 $82,597 $102,292 Private Sector - Subtotal CLIN 0001.03 $1,024,868 $82,597 $102,292 Behavior Change - Subtotal CLIN 0001.04 Science, Technology, Innovation and $698,774 $56,316 $69,744 Partnerships - Subtotal CLIN 0001.05 $1,071,453 $86,352 $106,941 Environmental Law Enforcement Total CLIN 0001 $4,695,692 $375,442 $464,963

*Sub-CLIN Budget Year 1 is from the original approved budget  Actual activity expenditures were at $375,442 or 20% of the approved initial funded amount, consisting mostly of start-up costs, home office technical and administrative support, and staff salaries.  Start-up costs was 24% of the Other Direct Costs, amounting to $235,127.  Total expenditures as a percentage of budget line items are shown below:

HO Labor, Fringe and Overhead $140,315 37% Total Other Direct Costs ICA Labor $17,343 5% Other direct costs $93,209 25% Procurement $15,619 4% Subcontract labor, ODC $13,884 4% Travel, Trans PD $57,958 15% Labor G&A $15,392 4% Non-Labor G&A $21,722 6%

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 14  As shown, projected expenditures for the next quarter will be 23% higher than the expenditures from July to September 2016 as the team begins to roll out activities on the ground.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 15 ANNEX

SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS IN ZAMBOANGA CITY AND TAWI-TAWI

For the third quarter of 2016, a total of 21 events in Zamboanga City and Tawi-tawi which were associated with terrorism/kidnapping, Moro and communist insurgency, crime and other related incidents were recorded. There was thus an increase in the presence of military troops in these areas. Several Army battalions from other camps in the Visayas and Eastern Mindanao were redeployed to Zamboanga City, Basilan and Sulu. A Marine brigade was transferred from Sulu to Tawi-tawi to augment its forces in the province. These movements were in relation to the continuing efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has doubled its information gathering on reported threats of bombing activities in Zamboanga City by the ASG. It has added checkpoints in critical areas due to the increase in kidnapping cases aside from the government’s war on drugs. The Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard have intensified their routine sea patrols in order to prevent the rising cases of abduction of foreigners who travel in the South-Western part of the country.

Incidents related to Terrorism, Kidnapping, Moro and Communist Insurgency

July 9, 2016 An ASG member residing in Zamboanga City was arrested by police authorities. The suspect was responsible for kidnapping a German in the early 2000s.

July 12, 2016 Three Indonesians abducted in Sabah were brought to Tawi-tawi province by the ASG.

July 13, 2016 The Intelligence Group of the PNP confirmed the presence of another Urban Terrorist Group (UTG) of the ASG in Zamboanga City which is involved in kidnapping.

July 19, 2016 About 200 rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were accosted by military forces upon entering Zamboanga City. These MNLF members were to proceed to Sulu where President Duterte was scheduled to meet Nur Misuari.

July 22, 2016 Joint operations of the military and police led to the capture of a married couple suspected to be ASG members. They were residing in Victoria, Zamboanga City before the arrest.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 16 July 22, 2016 Three speedboats allegedly owned by the ASG were seized by government forces in Panguan Island, Tawi-tawi.

August 7, 2016 Law enforcement teams apprehended a drug pusher in Campo Islam Village, Zamboanga City believed to be an ASG member. Enforcers found drug paraphernalia and several bomb making components inside the suspect’s house.

August 15, 2016 An Army Battalion team based in the Negros province was re-deployed to Zamboanga City to augment military forces at the Western Mindanao Command.

August 17, 2016 The 2nd Marine Brigade based in Sulu was re-assigned to Tawi-tawi.

August 24, 2016 A kidnapped woman was freed by the ASG arrived in Zamboanga City while her husband and son remained in captivity. This family was abducted in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay.

September 7, 2016 Additional military forces for deployment in Sulu arrived in Zamboanga City.

September 9, 2016 Police forces apprehended two ASG members at the vicinity of Pasonanca Motorpool, Zamboanga City. Seized from the suspects were various firearms, ammunitions and a grenade. Investigation revealed that they were tasked to launch atrocities in the city.

September 9, 2016 Three suspected members of the ASG were arrested in a village in Zamboanga City. Interrogation showed that they were tasked to carry out bombing activities in the city.

September 11, 2016 Suspected ASG members abducted three crewmen of a trawler sailing off Pompom Island in the town of Semporna, Tawi-tawi.

September 15, 2016 Combined military and police forces arrested an ASG member at Taha wharf, Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City. Said suspect had several arrest warrants on kidnapping and murder.

September 19, 2016 An official of Barangay Dita, Zamboanga City was arrested in Barangay . He is believed to have links with the ASG. Illegal explosives and several ammunitions were found in his possession.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 17 September 26, 2016 Police authorities arrested an alleged ASG member in Barangay Sangali, Zamboanga City. The suspect is wanted for various criminal activities in Basilan.

September 26, 2016 The PCG started to intensify its night patrol due to continuing threats by the ASG.

September 27, 2016 Police anti-illegal drug operations led to the arrest of a UTG member of the ASG in his residence in Barangay Talon-talon, Zamboanga City.

Crime and other related incidents

September 5, 2016 Government forces captured the suspect implicated in the grenade attack of the house of Barangay Chairman of Ayala in Zamboanga City.

September 9, 2016 A grenade was thrown at the Police Station 3 of Barangay Sangali, Zamboanga City.

Intelligence information on the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)

.Last July 3, 2016, an ASG group led by Salip Mira Kayawan were monitored to have arrived in Tawi-tawi from Maimbung, Sulu. They were believed to conduct kidnapping of wealthy businessmen in the area.

Protect Wildlife Quarterly Progress Report 1 18