Copyright@2014 UNDP-GEF NewCAPP The publication is made possible with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme– Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) New Conservation Areas in the Philippine Project (NewCAPP), in partnership with the municipal government of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, the provincial government of Tawi- Tawi, the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the ARMM, and the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines. UNDP-GEF NewCAPP is being implemented by the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 A. PLANNING PROCESS IN CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENT Use of Research-based Information 4 Stakeholder-driven Decision-making 4 Building on Existing Institutions 5 Incorporation of Lessons from Other Conservation Sites 5 B. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSERVATION AREA Historical Background 6 Biogeographic Setting 6 Regional and Local Setting 7 Conservation Area Boundaries and the Rationale of their Location and Zoning 7 Geology, Topography and Climate 9 Ecosystems, Flora and Fauna 10 Human Population 12 Legal Status and Management Arrangement 16 C. MANAGEMENT PLAN Conservation Value and Concerns 17 Goals of the Management Plan 17 Objectives of the Management Plan 19 Key Management Issues 19 Site Management Strategies and Activities 21 Monitoring and Evaluation and Data Management 23 Administration, Financing and Capacity Building 23 One-Year Work Program 26 One-Year Budget 28 Annex 1 Proposed Outline of Bud Bongao Conservation Area Ecotourism Plan 30 Annex 2 Outline of Enforcement System 30 Annex 3 Terms of Reference of the Conservation Area Manager 31 Annex 4 Knowledge and Skills Area Covered by Training Courses 32 LIST OF TABLES ACRONYMS AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines ARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BBMC Bud Bongao Management Council BBMO Bud Bongao Management Office CAM Conservation Area Manager DA Department of Agriculture DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources FLUMA Forest Land Use Management Area FLUP Forest Land Use Plan GEF Global Environmental Facility GPS Geographic Positioning System IEC Information, Education and Communication IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature JMCC Joint Management Coordinating Committee LGU Local Government Unit MNLF Moro National Liberation Front Mm Millimeter MOA Memorandum of Agreement NewCAPP New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project NGO Non-Government Organization NIPAS National Integrated Areas Protected System NSO National Statistics Office PCG Philippine Coast Guard PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources PNP Philippine National Police PO People’s Organization UNDP United Nations Development Programme Executive Summary To pursue the Philippine strategy of biodiversity conservation through in-situ activities and to complement national protected areas, LGU-managed conservation areas are established un- der the New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP). One of these is the Bud Bongao Conservation Area in Tawi-Tawi. To launch and manage it, a plan is prepared The Bud Bongao Conservation Area is one of the few re- using four strategies: (1) use of research- maining patches of forest in the Sulu Archipelago based information, (2) stakeholder-driven biogeographic zone. The biology of the zone is poorly decision-making, (3) building on existing known but being the transitional stepping stones between institutions, and (4) incorporation of les- Borneo and Mindanao, it evolved distinctive species sons from other conservation sites where while harbouring both Sundaic and Philippine species. the LGU has a leading role while adapting The conservation area has 102.64 hectares with 222.64 it to the local setting. To obtain research- hectares of buffer zone. The entire conservation area is a based information, studies were done on strict protection zone except for 0.6 hectare for special the physical, biological, and socioeco- use and 0.3 hectares of cultural zone. Closed broadleaved nomic characteristics of the area. The in- limestone forest covers 75.8 percent of its area. The rest formation was presented in three is mainly open broadleaved forest, grassland, and area stakeholders’ meetings for validation and of mixed vegetation. Its rich biodiversity is seen in 36 where they decided on its boundaries and species of trees and birds respectively. It also has 15 zoning, issues to be addressed, and the species of ferns and allies and 6 species of reptiles. Seven measures to take. They also configured its faunal and one floral species are endemic. Two charis- management organization from lessons of matic endemics, the Sulu bleeding heart and Sulu hornbill, existing protected areas while ensuring are no longer found in the area. The buffer zone is mainly broad-based representation. agricultural where the biodiversity is much less. Covering the conservation area and To meet these goals, a plan of eight main activities was consti- buffer zone are six barangays with a tuted: (i) install boundary markers and establish entry control combined population of 18,582. It points; (ii) promulgate regulations and operate an enforce- grew by 4.8 percent per year from ment system; (iii) develop and operate a solid waste manage- 2000 to 2010 or almost three times ment program; (iv) rehabilitate degraded areas; (v) develop the national rate. The population and implement an ecotourism plan; (vi) design and implement has urban characteristics with 80 an IEC campaign; (vii) plan and implement a buffer zone pro- percent of income derived from sala- gram; and (viii) operate a working management organization. ries and wages. Only 12 percent are Since the conservation area is classified as timberland and earned from farming. Nonetheless legally under the DENR, its management will be transferred to the in-migration-propelled popula- the municipality of Bongao through a MOA. The municipality tion growth resulted to constant en- will manage it through a three-layer management structure: croachment of farms and settlement Joint Management Coordinating Committee (for advisory and while easier access swelled visitors’ guidance); Bud Bongao Management Council (for policy-mak- volume. The resulting threats ing and oversight); and Bud Bongao Management Office (for prompted the stakeholders to for- day-to-day operation). The capability of council members and mally protect Bud Bongao to secure office staff will be enhanced through training. The first-year its cultural and biodiversity value operation of the conservation area will concentrate on start- and tap its tourism potential while up activities while setting the regulations, preparing the sus- serving as an adaptation tool for cli- tainable financing mechanism and establishing the monitor- mate change. ing system. The first year budget is P1,464,500. Conservation Area Management Plan One of the six strategies for biodiversity conservation in the Philippines is the enhancement and integra- tion of existing and planned conservation efforts with emphasis on in-situ activities. 1 To implement this strategy, the government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is estab- lishing and operating conservation areas under the direct management of indigenous peoples and local government units (LGU).2 This is meant to complement the existing national government-managed nation- wide network of conservation centers of which the national integrated areas protected system (NIPAS) is a main component.3 The conservation areas are expected to expand NIPAS’ gains in biodiversity conser- vation. Bud Bongao is one of the LGU-managed conservation areas being established and which management is being planned. The timeframe of the plan is not specified because it is intended to be continuously translated into a yearly plan and updated whenever it is seen suitable. The plan will mainly provide the management groups running the conservation areas with direction and guide external organizations who wish to be part of or compliment the protection effort. A. Planning Process in Conservation Area Management The planning process for Bud Bongao is anchored on four strategies: (1) the use of research-based infor- mation, (2) stakeholder-driven decision-making, (3) building on existing institutions and (4) incorpora- tion of lessons from other conservation sites where the LGU has a leading role while adapting it to the local setting. These strategies will ensure that the plan is based on scientifically robust data. These will also ensure the plan’s social acceptability to local communities and key stakeholders while being able to harness local knowledge. The support of local institutions will also be gained and ease in implementa- tion will be attained because experience-based practices are part of the plan. 1 The other strategies are (i) expanding and improving knowledge on the characteristics, uses and values of biological diversity; (ii) formulating an integrated policy and legislative framework for the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits of biodiversity; (iii) strengthening capacities for integrating and institutionalizing biodiversity conservation and management; (iv) mobilizing an integrated information, education and communication (IEC) sys- tems for biodiversity conservation; and (v) advocating stronger international cooperation on biodiversity conservation and management. DENR and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 1997. Philippine Biodiversity: An Assessment and Action Plan.