Integrated Ecosystems Management: National Program Support for Environment Collecting individual efforts together to overcome challenges and Natural Resources Management Project and achieve joint benefits in ENR management (NPS-ENRMP)

An IEM Story: Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed: Replicating Integrated Ecosystem Management for Socioeconomic Development

Introduction The Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed emerged as a good example of replication Management Project (LPWMP) is one of the and scaling up of IEM from the Libmanan- four pilot sites for Integrated Ecosystems Pulantuna Watershed to the adjacent Albay Management (IEM) under the National Tres Quinale “A” Watershed, then the rest Program Support for Environment and of the Bicol River Basin. It stands out as the Natural Resources Management Project (NPS only one among the four pilot sites to have ENRMP), funded by a grant from the World reached such basin-wide level of replication. Bank-Global Environment Facility (WB-GEF). As a watershed ecosystem, LPW plays a After five years of project implementation significant role in hosting the biodiversity from 2008 to 2012, the pilot site has An IEM Story: The Story of Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed, Bicol River Basin NPS-ENRMP

of the remaining forested zone of the Bicol of Camarines Sur. The area is close to two Region, cushioning the adverse effects of major educational, commercial, and trading disasters due to typhoons, supporting local centers: Daet on the north and Naga City on agricultural production through provision the south. of irrigation water, and ensuring the conservation and sustainability of fisheries The watershed has rich biodiversity and resources of San Miguel Bay. abundant water resources that support current and future development activities in the lowlands. It hosts the biggest remaining Importance of the Libmanan- forest in the whole Bicol Region—a lowland Pulantuna Watershed forest situated at elevation of below 500 meters above sea level. It is home to lowland With a total area of 74,345 hectares, the dipterocarp forests of Bicol Natural Park; the Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed (LPW) is one residual and old growth forest of Mt. Pulantuna; of the eight major watersheds of the Bicol the secondary forest of Mt. Tancong Vaca; the River Basin (BRB). BRB is considered the flora and faunal resources of Libmanan Caves eighth largest river basin in the country. Natural Park; and the mangrove forest of the There are different stakeholders that benefit Cabusao Coastal Zone. These assets contain from the improved management of the potentials for ecotourism activities such as LPW through IEM. These include fuelwood mountain hiking, river cruising, swimming, gatherers, upland and lowland farmers, birdwatching, fishing, and many others. fisherfolks in San Miguel Bay and other inland Water-based resorts have been established in water bodies, and users of domestic waters Libmanan and Sipocot, which can be put up that are sourced from the LPW and coursed as well in other areas if given the impetus by through the water districts. Beneficiaries also the local government units (LGUs) and other include tourists visiting points of interest sectors concerned. within the LPW as well as researchers The river system provides irrigation water to doing biodiversity and related scientific the estimated 4,000 hectares of rice lands of investigations on the remaining lowland Libmanan and Cabusao, which is considered dipterocarp forest in Region 5. Then of as the rice granary of Camarines Sur. course, standing to benefit also are the seven Moreover, its upland areas, inland rivers, other subwatersheds of the Bicol River Basin and coastal areas provide fiber, protein, and where the best IEM practices generated from income for the estimated 30,222 households the LPW are now beginning to be replicated. or a population of 167,087. About 20,367.76 LPW covers portions of the municipalities of hectares of coconut land provide a major San Lorenzo Ruiz and Basud of Camarines source of income for many farmers. The area Norte Province and Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, is likewise a source of fuelwood and charcoal Sipocot, Libmanan, and Cabusao of Camarines from trees which naturally regenerate in Sur Province. The watershed covers a total of coconut lands. Livestock production is a 143 barangays and has a total estimated area dominant livelihood in the municipalities of of 74,345.75 hectares. It is within the first Sipocot and Libmanan. congressional district of Camarines Norte and As an important part of the Bicol River Basin, the first and second congressional districts the LPW contributes to the productivity and

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sustainability of San Miguel Bay, a major having wet months with no pronounced dry fishing ground in the Bicol Region. The bay season. While it is favored with abundant is a common property resource that serves water supply year-round, it also experiences as municipal fishing ground for the towns an average of 19-21 typhoons every year, of Mercedes in Camarines Sur, Sipocot, causing damage to life and property. Cabusao, Calabanga, Siruma, and Tinambac in Camarines Norte. The bay hosts 88 species Continuing Depletion of the Remaining of fishes including crustaceans and shell Natural Forest. While there are some lowland fishes. The map below shows river networks dipterocarp natural forests remaining in the of the Bicol River Basin that drain to San LPW, these left over forests are subject to Miguel Bay. increasing threats. Kaingin or subsistence shifting agriculture in these areas eliminates biodiversity due to clearing and burning of Problems and Threats: Critical forest vegetation. Charcoal making has also Watershed become prevalent, contributing as well to forest depletion. An apparent aggravating The locality has climate type II and IV under factor is the open access condition of these the Corona Classification System generally forestlands.

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Weak Land Tenure System in in the migrate there despite concerted efforts to stop multiple use zone of the Bicol Natural them. Some migrants are armed with guns and Park. This situation serves as disincentive bolos who have repeatedly challenged DENR among the current occupants who think that operatives during patrol work. The barangay they could be driven out of their occupied councils and people’s organizations (POs) in land any time. As such, they tend to employ the area lack the capacity to check violations unsustainable production practices like of environmental laws without help from law burning of vegetation and open cultivation, enforcement agencies. resulting in environmental deterioration in the long term. The situation also makes the Waste Management. Solid and sewerage area prone to the entry of more illegal settlers. wastes generated by households, industries, markets, and farms are affecting the water Wrong Location of Some Settlements. quality of nearby rivers. Because many Some built-up areas are located in forests, households do not have sanitary toilets, near forests, or in headwaters of vital sewerage get drained into canals and end up subwatersheds. The location of some in rivers. Solid wastes thrown indiscriminately settlements in the Bicol Natural Park is a case are carried to the rivers during flood events. in point which affects the water source of Barangays Alanao, Napolidan, and Sooc. The Conflicting Land Uses and Objectives threat has mounted through the years due to Between Geothermal Energy Generation increasing number of settlers who aggressively Versus Biodiversity Conservation. The

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geothermal reservation proclaimed by then transport of goods and services between the Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos is located in the two Camarines provinces but has also served municipality of Del Gallego, in the upper as entry point of illegal settlers and timber watershed of LPW. Test wells have already poachers. In the Bicol Natural Park, it was been drilled in the area during the 1990s. Its during the time that it was traversed by the steep slopes are highly sensitive to massive highway and the National Power Corporation erosion due to surface soil scraping as power lines that kaingin farming in the area observed during the years when roads and began. The park is now crisscrossed by a geothermal facilities were under construction. network of roads and is highly accessible Because the area contain the headwaters of from all directions. Settlements within and the Pulantuna River, massive river siltation near the park are becoming highly populated and biodiversity loss are expected should through inter-marriages and migration from construction of geothermal facilities be other towns and provinces. revived. This conflict in resource use dampens current efforts at conserving the area for its Unresolved issue on the environmental inherent ecotourism values. The harm to the impact of the proposed dam in Manangle, biodiversity and water is incalculable because Sipocot. Started during the administration of the unpredictable collateral damage of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, the resulting from earth movement; removal of completion of the dam remains uncertain. surface vegetation; and generation of toxic And so are the environmental impacts to the sludge, atmospheric pollutants, and noise. nearby communities of Lupi and Sipocot. The construction of the dam was temporarily Road Network Traversing Bicol Natural stopped due to intense opposition from Park. The past government practice of different sectors. The dam is projected to building roads near old growth forests has irrigate an estimated 2,000 hectares of ricelands negatively led to the extraction and destruction in Cabusao and Libmanan. The technical of biodiversity resources. This road has a intricacies attendant to the dam construction double-edged effect on the remaining natural must address foremost the vulnerability to forests because it has improved access and flooding of communities and agricultural lands during peaks of rainfall in the context of climate change. This issue has to be resolved before the dam construction is resumed.

Inadequate irrigation infrastructure. Water is abundant in the watershed but ironically, large rice farms in Libmanan and Cabusao do not have adequate supply of water during the dry season due to lack of irrigation infrastructure. Dubbed as the rice granary of the province, these areas have yet to attain their optimum productivity.

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Silted and polluted coastal zones. Siltation NPS ENRMP through a process that ran from and pollutants are threatening the mangroves October 2008 to May 2011. The process and the bird sanctuary in Cabusao. The started with a stakeholder dialogue followed coast of Cabusao manifests a lingering by write shops involving an inter-LGU environmental problem. The silt and filth of technical working group for the formulation the entire Bicol River Basin of which LPW is of the LPW IEM framework. The framework part are all drained toward the San Miguel Bay. was reviewed and subsequently approved by The waters of the coastal areas are also laden the LPW Management Council. with wastes, mostly plastics and other non- biodegradable materials. Nevertheless, the The IEM framework laid down the guiding remaining asset of the area is the presence of principles for the holistic management of land, the mangrove forest and the abundant fauna water, and living resources in the Libmanan- that serve as food to the migratory birds Pulantuna Watershed. It sought to unify visiting the area at certain times of the year. individual and collective actions in managing This gives Cabusao a comparative advantage the watershed for conservation, socio- in terms of ecotourism. Meanwhile, San cultural and economic development. Thus, Miguel Bay suffers from problems of illegal the IEM framework served as the blueprint fishing and unsustainable resource use. for the management and development of the LPW for the benefit of the present and future generations of the constituent LGUs embraced Convergence to Protect and by the watershed. Based on this blueprint, Conserve LPW each of the constituent LGUs crafted their ENR management plan that covers their The convergence for the protection and geographical share of the LPW, addressing conservation of LPW was facilitated by the the management and development of the environment and natural resources in their respective municipalities that include forestland, agricultural land, urban and coastal areas. Thus, their ENR plans became part of their municipal development plans for which they set aside budget in their annual investment plans. The LPW Management Council is co-chaired by the DENR 5 Regional Executive Director and the governors of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, with the following as members: Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director, National Irrigation Administration Regional Manager, Department of the Interior and

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Local Government (DILG) Regional Director, framework development and legitimization Commander of the 9th Infantry Division progressed, the interest of the rest of the of the Philippine Army, mayors of the eight LGUs was sparked aroused and they began to municipal LGUs embraced by the LPW, embrace ownership of the formulated vision Local Water District General Manager for and mission for the LPWMP. The vision is Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Sipocot Council “God-fearing and empowered stakeholders of Women President, Sangguniang Kabataan are demonstrating their leadership and presidents of Libmanan, Camarines Sur and management capability on integrated Basud, Camarines Norte, Central Bicol State watershed management and fulfilling their University of Agriculture President, Kabalikat obligations for the attainment of quality of Civicom (Sipocot Chapter) President and life for all.” On the other hand, the mission Cabusao Municipal Fishery and Agricultural is “To discover, nurture and advocate for the Resources Management Council President. full development of the human potentials of The TWG, on the other hand, consists of the stakeholders to enhance the abundance, second line leaders of the same organizations/ sustainability and equitable sharing of the institutions. goods, services and other benefits derived from the Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed.” At first, only some of the WMC members were enthusiastic about the LPW joint The shared vision and common goal for the undertaking. Eventually, however, as the IEM LPWMP bound the members of the WMC

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and TWG as one solid team. The two groups of Bicolanos. The NNs also include types of meet bimonthly to update each other on the investments that shall be disallowed in a progress of each LGU in the performance of watershed-ecosystem or highly diverse area. their respective tasks in the management and development of LPW. The LGUs take turns in For LPW, the identified NNs include the hosting and sponsoring the meetings. In each Bicol Natural Park (BNP), the Libmanan Cave particular venue, the host LGU gives a briefing Natural Park, the Cabuaso Bird Sanctuary on their ENR program, coupled with field and mangrove forest, the remaining forests visit. The meetings then become a mutually in forestlands, prime irrigated agricultural uplifting exercise, serving as opportunities for lands devoted to rice production, and high the members to appreciate and learn from hazard areas that include the flood risk and what each one is doing. high erosion areas. These are the rallying points for the conservation of the LPW. The Watershed Management Council of LPW Improved Ecosystem Governance has passed a resolution formally recognizing Among LGUs these NNs, with common agreement that these are to be managed and regulated The commitment of each LGU in contributing for the purpose of providing public and and doing their share in the improved collective benefits over time such as supply management of the LPW is sealed through a of various ecosystems goods and services partnership agreement. This is a document to upstream and downstream communities. that captures the commitment and The LGUs have formally committed with obligations between each LGU and the local the DENR to take part in the conservation DENR in the management and development and management of these NNs, particularly of LPW. The document stands for shared those located in their respective political stewardship for the ENR component of the jurisdiction. LPW in that particular LGU. Each LGU has an organized Municipal Co-Management For Bicol Natural Park for instance, each of Steering Committee that provides oversight the four covered MLGUs of Basud, Lupi, San and make decisions on the management over Lorenzo Ruiz and Sipocot has entered into their portion of the LPW. partnership MOA with the DENR. Under this MOA, the local DENR and the four MLGU jointly formulate and implement their Identification and Determination of Integrated Conservation Development plan the Non-Negotiables in LPW (ICDP) for the BNP. Each LGU committed to The LGUs also participated in the identifying allocate a yearly counterpart fund as part of and acting on the non negotiables (NNs) the LGU’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for a or non-compromise areas in the watershed. given year for the implementation of the ICDP These NNs are designated land and resource as well as to enact ordinances in support allocations whose intended uses and purposes of the ICDP-BNP and for strengthening the cannot be compromised or modified. Their management, conservation and protection of protection and wise management redounds the BNP. The Region 5 Protected Area, Wildlife to sustaining the productivity of the LPW to and Coastal Zone Management Services benefit the present and upcoming generations (PAWCSZM), on the other hand, has set

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aside budgets in its programs, activities and and prosecution. Thus, this administrative projects (PAPs) for the improved management circular has effectively strengthened forest and development of the Bicol National Park protection within the LPW. In addition, to and Libmanan Cave Natural Park. Same is lessen pressure on existing forests, alternative true with the Forest Management Sector fuelwood and timber plantations were (FMS) for the management of forest tenures established in the different municipalities like the CBFMA holders. to serve as the new source of wood needed for fuel and construction materials. In most On the other hand, the Libmanan LGU takes partner municipalities, wood production was care of the cave natural park in their locality, done in tandem with food production through while Cabusao is focused on the coastal agroforestry systems. clean- up, protection and rehabilitation of the bird sanctuary and mangrove forest in their domain. The high risk areas with Addressing Climate Related Risks flooding and advance erosion occurrences through Automatic Weather Station are responsibilities of all the LGUs for which they do forest rehabilitation initiatives with With financial support from the NPS counterpart funding from the WB-GEF and ENRMP, the partner LGUs, the DENR and the LGUs themselves. the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration have joined efforts for the establishment and Protection and Rehabilitation of the maintenance of an automatic weather station Remaining Forests (AWS) in LPW. The AWS was installed in the municipality of Basud, Camarines Norte. Recognizing the crucial role of the remaining Equipped with automatic instruments to forest in LPW, some policy and conservation measure stream level, rainfall depth, wind initiatives have been pushed as safeguard against forest depletion due to timber poaching, charcoal making and shifting cultivation. First, with the facilitation of the LPW Management Council, an administrative circular was issued by the DENR 5 Regional Executive Director regulating the issuance of charcoal and cutting permit within a one-kilometer distance from the Bicol National Park. Likewise, selling and possession of forest products within the same distance shall be subject to permitting system by the LPW Management Council. The absence of pertinent documents shall be subjected to apprehension, confiscation

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velocity and relative humidity, among others, natural forests and the strengthened barangay the AWS can serve as a warning system for level forest law enforcement have effectively any impending flash flood, while in the long preserved and conserved the remaining term, it can provide agro-meteorogical basis forests in the watershed. As such, their for cropping patterns and farming activities ecosystem services have also been sustained. within the watershed. Restoration of degraded environment. The forest rehabilitation projects undertaken Results of Collaboration by the partner LGUs in partnership with the DENR have contributed to the cause of The partnership and collaboration of the restoring quality environment. A total area of DENR with LGUs and civil society for the 1,020 hectares have been rehabilitated with management and development of LPW WB-GEF financial support, with counterpart has borne fruits that are worth noticing by funds from the LGUs. managers of the rest of other watersheds in the Bicol Region and the rest of the country. Generation of sustainable livelihoods. Such results include the following The project provided financial and technical assistance in starting up various livelihoods IEM has become a rallying point for that included agroforestry, mud crab conservation of LPW. The introduction and fattening, vegetable production, bio-organic promotion of IEM for the holistic and multi- fertilizer production, bamboo production stakeholder management and development for furniture and other uses, tiger grass of LPW has paid off. It has rallied the production for broom making, coco coir support and participation of key stakeholders twining, and pili and rattan plantation including the DENR, LGUs, community and establishment. Overall, these livelihoods have the civil society. These local stakeholders helped over two thousand beneficiaries. To have banded together to form a coalition of help ensure success in these livelihoods, the the willing for the improved management partners were provided training and technical and development of LPW. This is expected assistance. These livelihoods are expected to to continue even beyond the implementation be sustained even after the project. stage of the NPS ENRMP . Self-sufficiency, self-reliance. Seeing LGU buy-ins. After having been convinced of the fruits of their collaboration under the the importance and viability of IEM, the LGUs project, the local communities and people’s through their local chief executives have organization members have realized that committed participation and financial support they can be self-reliant and self sufficient for the undertaking. They have made it a in terms of food production and generating regular component of their annual investment supplemental income. plans and budget allocation. Acting out on their commitment in support of IEM, the LGUs have begun to translate/incorporate Replication and scale up of IEM the non- negotiables in their comprehensive development and investment plans. As the watershed-ecosystem level planning and implementation in LPW progressed with Preservation and conservation of remaining good results, replication of the Integrated forests. The regulation on wood cutting in

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Ecosystem Management (IEM) approach National Convergence Initiative, a strategic, was initiated for the Albay Tres Quinali “A” holistic and coordinated development alliance watershed (ATQAW) applying the improved between the DENR, DA, Department of processes and steps from the LPW. This IEM Agrarian Reform, and DILG. Starting with the replication was facilitated and fast-tracked Albay NCI Provincial Steering Committee also with the leadership and championing role chaired by Governor Salceda, IEM has already of Albay Governor Joey Salceda. Himself been phased in to the development plans and an economist and aggressive advocate of strategies of the Albay Provincial LGU. Related climate change mitigation and adaptation, to this, the Bicol River Management Office he pushed for the adoption of the ATQAW has been established at the DENR 5 Regional IEM Framework supported by a sound Office. The Bicol River Basin Management feasibility study. With his support, the Council is providing technical assistance for Regional Development Council readily the creation of environment offices among approved the IEM Framework for funding and the municipal and city LGUs within the implementation. Quinali “A” watershed and the protection and management of the non-negotiable areas Further IEM scaling up is also expected to in the watershed. follow in other Bicol watershed-ecosystems with the adoption of IEM approach by the

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Impacts of LPWMP Sharing of profits and benefits. The project participants also appreciated getting their share Being a long-term environmental and social of the benefits from the livelihood initiatives intervention, it will take some more time under the project and are enthusiastic to before the tangible impacts of the LPWMP can expand and sustain these livelihoods. be seen. At this stage, however, the following initial impacts have already been observed. Show window of PO for the community to follow. The POs are enthusiastic about the Positive changes in attitude towards success of their livelihood and rehabilitation environment. This is both at the level of the initiatives and are proud to show it to visitors LGU officials and their constituency as a and the community. The community, on the result of vigorous information and education other hand, are appreciative of what the project campaign and after seeing the project has done and the resulting environmental actually implemented with positive results. benefits like better microclimate, reduced soil Consequently, they have become more erosion, and improved water supply. supportive and participative to the project. Livelihood creation for the community. Looking Forward These established livelihoods are helping augment income and food availability for local The IEM experience and approach evolved households. The plantations established are in Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed is worth sufficient sources of planting materials for following through as the good environmental subsequent plantings and related livelihood governance, livelihood and natural resource initiatives. rehabilitation initiatives continue to yield positive results. As replication and scale up Learned skills on financial management and efforts are pursued wider to the level of the Bicol enterprise investment. Hands on experience River Basin, it is hoped to spread the approach and training of PO members have helped and bring benefits to other major river basins develop the needed skills and confidence to go in the country. Thus, as the LPWMP phases on among the POs. out at the end of this year, sustainability plans have been finalized specifically on the aspect of Surfacing of TAP governance virtues. institutional arrangements, social, economic/ The project participants expressed their financial and environmental sustainability. appreciation after seeing and experiencing for themselves the blessings and benefits of transparent, accountable and participatory IEM.

For more information, please contact:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Office DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Telefax: +632 926-2689; 928-0028; 926-2693