Preserving Davao Oriental's Rich Environmental Heritage

Davao Oriental Province, with its vast land area of 516,446 hectares, holds within its borders a unique cultural tapestry and a wealth of natural resources. This province is home to two prominent indigenous tribes, the Mandaya and Kagan, who possess 70% of the land under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). Their ancestral domains not only possess breathtaking landscapes but also vital ecosystems that provide essential services to both people and wildlife. It offers sustenance, medicinal resources, and traditional materials, while also presenting opportunities for ecotourism and recreational activities. Protected within these biodiverse areas are some of the Philippines' most rare and endangered species, including the Philippine Eagle, Philippine Tarsier, Mindanao hornbill, Golden-crowned fruit bat, Dwarf kingfisher, and Mindanao narek.

In preserving the rich biodiversity of the province, it is important to conserve remaining forests, restore denuded land while implementing sustainable livelihood that will reduce reliance on forest resource extraction.  This is done through through the active involvement of communities, local government units, public agencies, and civil society organizations. Heightening public awareness, enhancing the capacity of community leaders, resource managers, and local policymakers, adopting community-based natural resource management approaches, and promoting sustainable livelihoods that align with forest and biodiversity conservation are crucial steps. A comprehensive and integrated approach is essential to safeguard the Davao Oriental Provincial Landscape, ensuring its environmental health and the well-being of its populace.

One noteworthy initiative making significant strides in Davao Oriental is the Mindanao Forest for People and Sustainable Livelihoods (MinFor) project. Collaborating with 11 indigenous peoples' organizations, the project actively engages with local communities to promote forest conservation, land restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and socio-cultural well-being.

Kennemer Eco Solutions and its project management arm, BaiAni Foundation spearheaded an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign as part of the MinFor project. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the project's objectives and the significance of forest conservation. Through extensive outreach efforts, including visits to barangays, sitios, and schools, the campaign has already reached over 3,000 households, dialoguing on the project's goals and promoting sustainable forest management practices.

Recognizing the pivotal role of indigenous communities as custodians of the land, the BaiAni Foundation and Kennemer Eco Solutions actively support the Provincial Tribal Council-Mandaya and Kagan Cultural Group of Davao Oriental in protecting their ancestral lands. To establish an effective Forest Guarding system, the organizations have conducted training and workshops for forest protectors. These initiatives equip forest guards with the necessary knowledge, focusing on forest conservation, resource management, law enforcement, and surveillance patrols. The objective, through partnership with the DENR, local government units, and the NCIP is to deploy 110 forest guards throughout the province, bolstering efforts to combat deforestation and safeguard natural resources.

The MinFor project also places emphasis on strengthening Indigenous Peoples (IP) governance. Project staff actively participate in meetings of various Barangay Tribal Councils, Municipal Tribal Councils, and the Provincial Tribal Council, providing technical expertise, guidance, and support to IP leaders and organizations. This collaboration fosters knowledge exchange, capacity building, resource mobilization, and inclusive decision-making processes, ensuring the successful implementation of the project.

Furthermore, the MinFor project recognizes the importance of sustainable livelihoods in promoting forest conservation. Plans are being developed for climate-smart agriculture with technical support, off-take arrangements, and rural financing. Communities are currently involved in the project designing.

MinFor’s comprehensive approach showcases a firm commitment to address the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation in Davao Oriental. By promoting conservation education, forest guarding, IP governance, and sustainable livelihoods, the project strives to ensure a sustainable future for the province, its precious biodiversity, and the well-being of its indigenous communities. Through these collective efforts, Davao Oriental can overcome its environmental challenges and emerge as a beacon of sustainable development, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of nature and people.