The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 has recognized Don Mariano Perez Consumer’s Cooperative (DMPCC), a People’s Organization (PO) in Diffun, Quirino, as 2022 best Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) implementer.

 

Awarded during the CBFM Regional PO Summit cum Trade Fair on Sept. 22 in Tuguegarao City, the DMPCC bested over 100 CBFM organizations in the region after garnering 96% performance rating based on Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Technical Bulletin No. 18 known as “Documentation of Good Practices in Forest Resource Management.” The selection criteria focus on the CBFM project impacts in environmental, economic, and social aspects.

 

The CBFM is implemented as a national strategy to achieve sustainable forestry and social justice as embodied in Executive Order No. 263 s. 1995.

 

“One of the CBFM objectives is to increase the income of upland communities through livelihood activities that support the enhancement of our natural resources,” said DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan as she commended the PO members for the gains of the project through their good practices for over 2 decades.

 

The DMPCC has been helping the community to uplift its economic condition through enterprise development and agroforestry establishment. “Bahagi po ng aming CBFM area ang Ganano Sub-watershed na pinakikinabangan ng nakararami sa probinsiya ng Quirino kaya nagsisipag po kami para mapangalagaan ito,” said Lito Bannagao, DMPCC chairperson.

 

Among other recognized CBFM POs sustaining forest management good practices were Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong, and Kakilingan Upland Farmers Assosciation, Inc. in Nueva Vizcaya; Tumauini Upland Farmers Greeners Association, Inc. in Isabela; and Three Diamonds Upland Farmers and Developers Association in Cagayan.

 

Director Bambalan encouraged the PO forest managers to prepare for the evolving challenges in CBFM implementation brought about by climate change. She said the CBFM is one of the programs that support the President’s call to improve agricultural productivity through agroforestry plantation establishment.

 

The regional environment chief also directed technical field officials to extend assistance to the POs for a science-based crop production as climate change mitigating measure. “We need to adapt to the new climate situation. We have to revisit the kind of crops we plant and follow planting calendar,” she advised.

 

In his message, FMB Director Tirso Parian said the bureau is currently updating the CBFM strategic plan for CY 2023-2032 to review programs and policies that are suitable for and adaptable to the changing climate.

 

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna thanked the POs for supporting the DENR not only in enriching the environment but also in improving the country’s economic development through their livelihood activities.

 

Aside from exchanging forest resource management good practices during the summit, the POs were equipped with organizational and marketing strategies to further empower their associations.

 

Renmark Marcelo, a specialist from the Department of Trade and Industry taught the participants on packaging development, labeling of products, and other marketing strategies; while Yakap Kalikasan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Pilipinas, Inc. Project Development Director Janet Martires strengthened the POs by teaching them on how to develop a resilient and more functional CBFM-PO governance.

 

In the two-day summit, a trade fair was launched showcasing various products such as fruits, vegetables, furnitures, handicrafts, softbrooms, coffee, fruit wine, and other processed goods in support of the organizations’ livelihood.

 

The Summit was also graced by Cagayan State University President Urdujah Alvarado, National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Dionisio Ledres Jr., representatives from other government agencies and local government units and DENR officials and personnel.#