Identified Solution with Upscaling Potential

Main solution: Formulations of Provincial Development & Physical Framework Plan and Provincial Environmental Code as Guidance For Municipal Initiatives towards Increased Adaptive Capacities of Vulnerable Communities

Storyline/Narrative: Photos/Documentations:

Southern became a province on 01 July 1960 with City as its capital and seat of the provincial government. It is the second least populated province of the Eastern Region, . The province serves an important role in the inter- island transportation system of the country where people and goods are transported by ferries from to the Visayas and onwards to . The province’s geological features makes it susceptible to natural occurrences like and : in 2003, a destroyed most of the San Francisco municipality, killing 200 residents. Then in February 2006, due to heavy rains (amounting over 200 cm) and a minor caused the several mudslides with the municipality of Saint Bernard worst hit: a mountain village, Guinsaugon was almost completely destroyed killing 1,800 of its 1,857 population. Realizing the limitations of their province stemming from their geological features, the provincial leadership and its manpower has, since then become more concerned, more conscious of human security in the light of their geological features but also from the realization that damages and losses could go higher if strong typhoons would hit the province such as the super that hit Leyte Province in November 2013. Brgy.Guinsaugon mudslide Source: http://www.southernleyte.gov.ph/

The Provincial leadership embarked on a partnership with the GIZ right after the Guinsaugon mudslide. The partnership was focused on enabling the provincial staff to facilitate the formulations of the Southern Leyte Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan(PDPFP)- a plan that delineates where are the most critical watersheds are, the agricultural lands that have to be protected from conversion, the coastal and marine ecosystems. The process of formulating the PDPFP involved the municipalities, grouped according to their contiguity and aptly called integrated area development clusters(IAD). Per IAD, the municipal functionaries (planning, risk reduction & management, environment and natural resource management, health, engineering staff) together with sectoral representatives from the farmers, fisher folks ,and the business sectors were consulted and participated in different thematic sessions which led to the finalization of the spatial and development trajectory that the province would embark with the agreed vision of safer communities, balanced environment and resilient ecosystems, towards a vibrant provincial economy.

Source: fb posts of PENRMO Staff, Reina Lagumbay, Maasin City, Southern Leyte Implementations of the PDPFP and the Provincial Environment Code: The PDPFP served as the main reference of the municipalities: the document identified the major role/s that each municipality would have in relation to the agreed vision. The PDPFP also instituted the formulation of the Provincial Enviroment Code which was formulated to support by way of national laws, local ordinances would ensure that the agreed vision is Training on Nursery Management for farmers associations indeed pursued, given flesh and blood in the actual implementations of various programs, projects and activities.

Actual tree planting/reforestation activities with communities

resource assessment inland fishery Coralization

Benefits: Co-benefits: The strict implementation of the formulated PDPFP and of the  Farmers who used to be mere encroachers of the uplands Provincial Environment Code by the provincial offices has have been engaged by the Province thru its Provincial ensured the transparent and meaningful use of the national Environment and Natural Resource Office as Bantay- budget allocation and local incomes to directly benefit the , who are heavily involved in strict forest protection farming, fishing and small business sectors of the province. This and reforestations. is evidenced by the assured regular funds to programmed  Fisher folks know they have a standby fund if and when activities for forest protection, rehabilitation, agricultural support another occurrence of the crown of thorns or similar mechanisms and coastal and marine support activities. events take place.  For instance, in 2011-2012, the provincial government  Capacitated provincial staff/Team that are able to assist readily supported the fisher folks in their activities to municipalities in technical matters and plan formulations. check the crown of thorns infestation which was a big threat to food security, livelihood of the fishing sector as well as to the eco-tourism and business sector.  Every municipality has now an identified evacuation center where the most vulnerable coastal communities could run to for safety in times of bad weather.  Performance-based support infrastructures such as irrigation system, drainage system, potable water system are accessible support from the province as these are part of the PDPFP’s programmed support services.

Identified issues and concerns: Suggested way forward: Tenure issues for the upland dwellers An updating of the PDPFP is timely, integrating the “new normal” frequency and strengths of typhoons by integrating updated thematic (climate and ground shaking) maps from the authority agency of government. The capacitated provincial manpower can well-facilitate the process now, including coming up with gis-generated maps further validated on-ground with empowered community representatives.