Financing community-based watershed reforestation in the Philippines

摘要

In 1992, the National Power Corporation (NPC), a government operated and controlled corporation, secured funds for the development of about 1 000 ha of tree farms within the Lake Lanao-Agus River watershed reservation in Lanao del Sur, Philippines. About US$1.1 million was used to finance development activities in reforestation and environmental rehabilitation in determined areas within the watershed reservation. Community participation was ensured after six to nine months of social preparation prior to the initiation of the project. More than 150 individual cooperators representing their households participated by way of a contract for the development of their areas into tree farms. Technical support and assistance were provided by the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP). More than 1 500 ha of private land were developed into tree farms and planted with Acacia mangium, Durio zibethinus and other indigenous tree species. Post-project monitoring and evaluation of the established tree farms indicated a very high tree survival rate of 98 percent and favorable growth rates. In 1996, the project was turned over by the PICOP to the NPC which then continued the rehabilitation effort through internal funds. This innovative experience in community-based reforestation and environmental stewardship may set a good example of how to rehabilitate degraded lands.