Bongao Local Government Journey to Protect a Critically Important Biodiversity Conservation Area in ARMM MAYOR JASPER S. QUE, AL HAJ NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “Diversifying And Strengthening LOCAL CONSERVATION AREAS Participatory and Local Governance 23-24, OCTOBER 2014 in Biodiversity Conservation” 2nd Class municipality and capital town of Tawi-Tawi and part of ARMM Population - 79,362 (2010) With 35 barangays Three major Islands namely: TAWI-TAWI Pababag, Bongao and Sanga-Sanga Major livelihood of the people are: fishing, seaweed and land farming, and employment Tribes- Sama, Tausug. Badjao, Jama Mapun, Bisaya BEFORE Political Leaders were not concerned with the environment Low awareness of terrestrial environment FISH AND WWF focused on coastal Lack of budget for terrestrial conservation Strong cultural beliefs Maintaining the cultural value of Bud Bongao Photo credit: WWF-Philippines Photo credit: En Route16 • Bud Bongao is landmark of Tawi-Tawi and is one of its sacred sites. • Many people believe that the mountain is a “healing mountain” which fulfil their requests. • The mystique aura of the mountain and its richness in fauna and flora entice visitors of the province to climb the Bud Bongao. • “You have not been to Tawi-Tawi if you have not climbed Bud Bongao”. Let us maintain the cleanliness and sanctity of this Holy Shrine (Tampat). Keep it clean and green! INTERVENTION In 2010 Bongao Peak was identified as Key Biodiversity Area tied up with NEWCAP Project in Tawi-Tawi We did baseline assessments • Biodiversity Assessment of Bud Bongao, • Mapping of boundaries, • Policy Land Information, • Socio-Economic and Institutional Assessment • IEC Framework. Total of 15 species of birds, Tawi-Tawi Island Forest Rat and unique species of butterfly and dragonfly believed to be endemic in Tawi- Tawi. Total of 45 identified tree species were recorded including the largest Molave tree in the Philippines Trees have been exploited Back to table of contents PROCESS • The New Conservation Areas of the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) in Tawi- Tawi came in at an opportune time. • Local government of Bongao worked hand in hand with the WWF Philippines, DENR and stakeholders. • SB Resolution No. 3, Series of 2011 created the Bud Bongao Management Council • SP Resolution No. 26, Series of 2011 creating the Joint Management Coordinating Committee at the provincial level • Joint Memorandum of Agreement for the management of Bud Bongao was signed among BMB, DENR-ARMM-Tawi-Tawi, WWF-PH and LGU of Bongao last September 26, 2012. Hon. Jasper S Que (Mayor), VP Joel Palma (WWF) and CENRO Khondrad Mohammad 6 (DENR) signed the Joint MOA, witnessed by Provincial Governor and Vice Governor of Tawi- Tawi STRATEGIES: 1. Approval by the Sangguniang Bayan of Municipal Resolution # 07 in 2012 declaring March 1 and every year thereafter as Bud Bongao Day. This has become an annual celebration to remind people of the community of the importance of Bud Bongao and for them to maintain the beauty and grandeur of this “healing mountain”. 2. Series of activities like Bud Bongao Cleanup, Tree Planting and Mangrove Reforestations at the foot of the mountain led by the local government helped build this constituency, STAKEHOLDERS PLANNING WORKSHOP •Municipal Ordinance declaring Bud Bongao as a Locally Managed Conservation Area (LCA) per SB Vice Governor and Participants to the Ordinance No. 202, Series 2013, last Planning Stakeholder Workshop held on December 3, 2013. September 11, 2012 • This has a distinction as the FIRST AND ONLY Locally Managed Conservation Area in the ARMM. • SB approved the Management Plan and deputization of the Bantay Gubat for Bud Bongao Conservation Area Participants while on workshop Sustainability Mechanism For sustainability: • Creating the Bongao Environment Management Office (BEMO) • PhP1M funding support for the implementation of the Management Plan in the Annual Investment Plan. Lessons and Challenges • Joint Management Coordinating Council and Bud Bongao Management Council facilitated the process of declaration as LCA • Stakeholdership as a strategy takes a long process but increases chances of sustainability. • Engagement of the private sector is a challenge • Incorporating indigenous knowledge and traditional management systems can help enhance community participation FUTURE ACTIONS National Greening Program for the reforestation of Bud Bongao. Bud Bongao Ecotourism Plan part of the Provincial Tourism Master Plan and the ARMM Tourism Development Plan. Bud Bongao Ecopark will be funded by the DPWH and DOT ARMM As we go on with our journey to manage this very important biodiversity conservation area, we hope to continue addressing the threats through enforcement and institutional arrangements thereby demonstrating good practices so that local governments in rich biodiversity areas in the ARMM or the Bangsamoro territory may learn from our experience. MAGSUKOL THANK YOU AND WASSALAM.