The Four C's Cycle Model

KALIKASAN BCSD Knowledge Series NINE
THE FOUR Cs CYCLE MODEL

PARTNERSHIPS IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WORK IN ILOG-HILABANGAN WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO Brownish stains on rocks are notable in the Isi-daco stream in Buenavista, Himamaylan City showing evidence of the stream being highly acidic and almost devoid of aquatic organism, Isi-daco is the headstream of the Saisi River, which is the tributary of the Ilog-Hilabangan River. With the threat of climate change, remaining forests in the Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed have to be preserved and denuded areas need to be rehabilitated for the watershed to continually supply water for both domestic and irrigation needs of local communities in Kabankalan and Himamaylan Cities (Dr. Ely Alcala/SUAKCREM).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The case study writers wish to thank NEDF, headed by its President, Wilhelmina Gonzales, its Executive Director, Roseo Dapra, and its staff for their generous support throughout the development of the case study. Also, sincere thanks to Engr. Rogelio Diaz, and the chairmen of the BGV-POs, DENR-CENRO of Kabankalan and ENRO of Himamaylan City. Thanks also for the help of the BGVs and communities who entrusted and welcomed the writers in their homes.

APRIL 2013 Prepared by the Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) for the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) under the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project.
DISCLAIMER This publication is made possible through the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the case study writers and NEDF, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States government, or FPE.
MESSAGE FROM
DENR
In this emerging era of climate change, environment and natural resources (ENR) around the globe are threatened with destruction to an extent rarely seen in earths history. The mitigation of the pernicious effects of climate change compels government, particularly us in the DENR, to adapt an integrated approach to ENR planning and decision making. Constructive engagement, international partnerships, and collaboration with the different sectors of society are forged not only to brace up our limited resources, but more so to create an enabling policy environment that would enhance institutional and regulatory capacities. It is in this complicated and complex task of building partnerships with key stakeholders that we appreciate the role played by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). A catalyst for cooperation, the FPE blazes trails in efforts to promote and encourage international and local cooperation among NGOs, business groups, and communities towards developing good policies and effective programs on biodiversity and sustainable management. The case studies presented in this publication bear testament to FPEs leading role in facilitating collaborations for sustainable development. Without the foundations assistance and effort to involve key stakeholders cooperation, appropriate assessments regarding the current conditions and trends of eight key biodiversity areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao would not have been made. Our success, hence, in establishing reliable bases for developing goals and strategies for future biodiversity and sustainable management interventions in these areas can only be ensured with support from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.
RAMON J. P. PAJE
DENR Secretary
MESSAGE FROM
USAID
The realization of our shared vision of broad-based and inclusive growth is greatly aided by enhancing environmental resilience and ensuring that the countrys bountiful natural resources and life-giving ecosystems services are sustainably managed while reducing the risk of disasters. The U.S. Government holds firm to its commitment to help the Government of the Philippines to achieve this goal. Expanding the network of environmental stakeholders and providing continued support to local governments and communities on proper natural resource management are crucial strategies to achieve this goal. With these in mind, our partnership with the Government of the Philippines has yielded a large network of partners that engages local communities and groups in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. We have helped empower our partners to be more involved in decision-making leading to better management and protection of natural resources that they depend on. This publication captures the key strategies applied through the years that Upscaling Forest Restoration Project attempted to scale up in the last two years in eight key forest areas of the country. Eight case studies feature committed forest guard volunteers, lessons from science-based forest restoration efforts with indigenous peoples, and partnership building among government, communities, and the private sector to restore forest habitats and watersheds. This collection of stories is a testament to the hard work of our partners, led by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment, which collaboratively worked with local stakeholders to ensure that the approaches employed, milestones achieved, and lessons learned from our forest restoration efforts are carefully documented. It is our hope that knowledge sharing through publications like this will become a staple element in how we sustain our efforts in forest management. There is wisdom from the grassroots, as we have valuably learned through our initiatives, which have significant impact at the national level. I invite you to read these stories and share them with your network and other organizations working towards biodiversity conservation and environmental resilience.
Mission Director, USAID/Philippines
GLORIA D. STEELE
MESSAGE FROM
FPE
FPEs twenty-one years of working with partners to save forests and sustain life have borne fruit. Eight (8) case studies documenting the progress and challenges in expanding forest governance in key biodiversity areas (KBAs) are now available to the public. The cases relate, among others, how our partner in Negros Occidental transformed a silent subsistence community to active forest protectors; how planting native tree species revived dying forests and earned income for farmers in Leyte; how synergistic partnerships among various agencies accelerated watershed rehabilitation in Davao City; and how the concept of social fencing in the provinces of Quezon and Laguna deepened the communities collective resolve and shared responsibility in guarding their forests for life. These are testaments of progress in FPEs conservation support. But the mission of the foundation is none more relevant than today, as scarcity of natural resources worsens hunger, climate change brings collateral damage to conservation investments, and unbridled population growth threatens the carrying capacity of our remaining forests. In almost all USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project sites, our partners continue to face the challenges of poverty, unsustainable economic development, and fragmented or uncoordinated conservation initiatives. Notably, this is the first time in many years that our long-time partners in conservation took the initiative of assessing and documenting what strategies worked and what could still work to sustainably protect our forests in KBAs. This is a conscious attempt to create tools and platforms for knowledge access and sharing. All these interesting case studies constitute the second set of KALIKASAN (Kaalamang Likas Yaman) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development series, one of FPEs regular publications. The first set describes the results of resource and socioeconomic assessments in selected KBAs. This second set combines best practices and lessons learned in forest restoration efforts under the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project. All Kalikasan BCSD series are packed with knowledge from projects and field experiences. FPE does not stop at merely making beautiful publications, but endeavors to translate knowledge into action towards improving our work and contribution to BCSD. Allow me to congratulate our project partners, local government units in project sites, and USAID for making the case studies of the Up-Scaling Project possible. We hope our readers distill the lessons to guide future actions for more effective forest restoration and hunger alleviation.
NESTOR R. CARBONERA
Chair and CEO
MESSAGE FROM
NEDF
REACHING OUT to all advocates of environmental protection - who consider themselves stewards of creation This book brings together several powerful ideas, concepts, processes, and recommendations to address one of the most critical issue of our time the decline of the Philippine forest specifically the Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (IHWFR) located in southern Negros Occidental. This study begins with the first environmental initiative made by the Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) in 1990 in Kabankalan City, in partnership with USAID and, later on, with various funding agencies until it reached its summit in 2012 when USAID- FPE funded the project for the Up-scaling of Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas in IHWFR. The model introduced in this study will ultimately reach the 5 th C, for Community, the final beneficiary of this project. On a personal note, I am happy, proud, and honored that NEDF has undertaken this study, for it has achieved one of its basic objectives: to develop leaders, individuals, and organized groups capable of managing viable enterprises, while promoting the restoration of ecological balance and concern for the welfare of the community that belong there. This book draws to a close with specific recommendations for NEDF to implement for the next five years a road map which hopefully other stakeholders can follow to protect and conserve the beauty and splendor of our natural resources, which God has created for the good and enjoyment of all mankind.
WILHELMINA R. GONZALES
President
The BCSD Knowledge Series of FPE

Kaalamang Likas Yaman or simply, KALIKASAN, is the publication series of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (BCSD). Kaalaman is the Filipino term for knowledge while Likas Yaman is the term for nature or natural resources. Kaalamang Likas Yaman literally means knowledge of nature. As FPEs main thrust is BCSD in key biodiversity areas of the Philippines, this series is essential in presenting and promoting valuable theories, case studies, site assessments, best practices, and other learning materials. As Atty. Danny N. Valenzuela, FPE Chair and CEO (2010-2012), explains, That the work of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development has gone a long way in the past twenty years cannot be overemphasized. In fact, it has become imperative for FPE to embark into an appropriate, meaningful and innovative knowledge management systems in order to preserve and properly utilize the significant learnings out of its various collaborations with partners in key biodiversity areas all over the country. As a major repository of the knowledge base of FPE and its partners, KALIKASAN will serve as a series of dynamic and enriching resource materials that will educate the readers, in particular those involved in the environmental protection of key biodiversity areas, and equip them with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Kaalamang Likas Yaman may also refer to the richness (yaman) of natural or intuitive knowledge (kaalamang likas). This is in recognition of the a priori knowledge of the local communities in FPE areas of operation and concern, especially among the grassroots communities and indigenous peoples, in environmental protection and conservation. KALIKASAN seeks to serve as a comprehensive BCSD reference and research source while tapping and augmenting the existing knowledge base of its partners, beneficiaries and communities. This is the legacy of the current FPE leadership to the next generation of Filipino environmentalists who will continue and further develop the current advocacies and endeavors of FPE and its partners.
KALIKASAN
USAID-FPE PROJECT
Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas

For more than two decades, FPE has been at the forefront of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Philippines. FPE operates as a catalyst for cooperation, fund facilitator, and grant maker in order to save species, conserve sites, and sustain communities. Capitalizing on previous and existing forest restoration initiatives of its local site partners, FPE, in partnership with USAID, implemented the Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) project from 2011 to 2013. This project seeks to address the decline of the Philippine forests by strengthening the protection of approximately 170,000 hectares of forest habitats and reforesting a total of 480 hectares within 8 sites in the bioregions of Cebu, Negros, Leyte (Eastern Visayas), Luzon and Mindanao. The project has also instituted mechanisms to sustain conservation efforts and continuously affect a macro-level of consciousness among stakeholders. FPE supports its partners on sites in drawing lessons from projects and sharing results of research and experiences. FPE considers the knowledge gathered and lessons learned by the forest resource managers peoples organizations (POs), indigenous peoples organization (IPOs), forest guards and wardens, and the communities themselves as one of its strategic assets in improving methodologies, practices and systems toward BCSD. In Negros Island, the Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) has been working with local governments and communities in conserving and managing the Ilog Hilabangan Watershed. The USAID-FPE project strengthened and revived partnerships among management councils, forest guards and peoples organizations there. This case study explores the critical variables that led to the successful partnerships and engagements of NEDF with multisectoral groups, in different stages. NEDF looks forward to a more effective implementation of projects for biodiversity conservation through the sharing of the lessons learned in this case study.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY CONTEXT ANALYSIS SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES ANNEX Annex 1 - Guide Questions for Key Informant Interviews Annex 2 - List of Key Informants LIST OF FIGURES Box A: Summary of NEDF Environmental Initiatives in IHWFR Box B: Collaborative Researches of NSCA from Various Institutions 10 14 31 32 1 2 3 7 7 17 22 30
ACRONYMS
BCSD BGV CAO CD CENRO CoMaReSe DENR ENRO FPE GC GEF-SGP-UNDP IHWFR IHWFRMC KATRICA LGU MUAD-Negros NEDF NGO NIPAS NNNP NSCA PEMO PENRO PO RBI RSEA SA SD TWG UNCED UNDP UPLB USAID VSU Biodiversty Conservation and Sustainable Development Bantay Gubat Volunteers City Agriculturist Office Capacity Development City Environment and Natural Resources Office Community-Based Co-Management of Resources towards a Sustainable Ecosystem Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environment and Natural Resources Office Foundation for the Philippine Environment Growth Chamber Global Environment Facility - Small Grants Program - United Nations Development Program Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Ilog-Hibangan Watershed Forest Reserve Management Council Karulanos Tribal Community Association Local Government Unit Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development - Negros Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. Non-Government Organization National Integrated Protected Areas System North Negros Natural Park Negros State College of Agriculture Provincial Environment and Management Office Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Peoples Organization Resource Basic Inventory Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Development Technical Working Group United Nations Conference on the Environment United Nations Development Program University of the Philippines Los Baos United States Agency for International Development Visayas State University
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Negros Occidental is considered one of the forest and biodiversity hotspots in the Visayas region. However, its forests and biodiversity are at risk and quickly declining, due to human activities related to agriculture, forestry, industry, economic consumption, and, lately, recreation. The Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (IHWFR), an important ecosystem in the province, is threatened by the presence of large settlements in the area, participation in unsustainable forms of livelihood such as charcoal making, and the conversion of tracts of forestland into rice and corn farms and sugarcane plantations, which further aggravate the worsening state of the watershed ecosystem. The Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (NEDF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to protecting the forest reserves of the IHWFR, as well as a leading advocate of the Biodiversity Conservation Sustainability Development (BSCD) framework. In the last two decades, NEDFs involvement in biodiversity and development interventions show capability-building and establishment of partnerships as critical elements of effective development initiatives.
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THE FOUR Cs CYCLE MODEL: Partnerships in Biodiversity Conservation Work in Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve
Using the Four Cs framework (which includes four levels of implementation, namely: capacitate, collaborate, consolidate, and create), NEDF has managed to establish strong linkages among public and private stakeholders and across a diverse range of institutions including grassroots organizations. The use of the Four Cs model has also provided the following insights with regards to effective implementation of biodiversity intervention projects: Involvement of the local people at the start of the project were the major steps in bringing the communities to be more actively involved in the smooth implementation of the BCSD initiatives. Strengthened partnerships with the key stakeholders is crucial in insuring that the project gains are sustained and protected. Nursery-farm establishment and demonstration technologies for raising endemic wildlings using growth chambers must be anchored on locally-tested knowledge systems provided by the BGVs to ensure appropriate interventions for local conditions. Multi-sector consultation and planning facilitate the active involvement of various stakeholders in planning and project implementation. BGVs can only be mobilized to seriously undertake the foot patrol when they get political support from the LGU and DENR, gain ownership over the project, and realize the importance of biodiversity for their survival. With regards to biodiversity, the policy and advocacy mechanism within the LGUs and DENR should be defined and strengthened to ensure the use of sustainability in policy-related interventions. More women should be involved in the POs livelihood and enterprise development.
INTRODUCTION
Negros Occidental, a province occupying half of Negros Island in the Western Visayas region, is considered one of the forest and biodiversity hotspots in the region. Its diverse terrestrial and marine resources, specifically the watershed forest reserve areas, have served as critical bases of survival for its people. Today, the provinces forests and biodiversity are at risk and are quickly declining due to human activity in agriculture, forestry, industry, economic consumption, and recreation. It also has one of the highest rates of forest cover loss in the country. In fact, less than 4% of its original forests are left as a biodiversity sanctuary (Turner et al, 2001 cited in Turner et al. 2003) and as a resource for maintaining four major watershed areas in the area, namely: Bago, Himugaan, Ilog-Hilabangan and Pangiplan Watershed. The rapid loss of forests (attributed to human activities) has already changed the landscape and environment of the island and has resulted in the deterioration and loss of its flora and fauna. Furthermore, natural disasters such as floods and landslides occur frequently as a consequence of denuding the forest and have resulted in the destruction of crops, fishery infrastructure, natural resources, and even the loss of human lives. The destruction that came in the wake of Typhoon Nitang in 1984, which amounted to billions of pesos worth of economic losses, was a grim example of the dangers that destroy the environment and human settlements. Although forest protection measures are provided through legislation, forests are still adversely affected by human activities in agriculture and forestry. Development frameworks continue to inadvertently promote reckless economic development, like forest land conversion to corn and sugarcane plantations, at the expense of the environment and biodiversity. In addition, a rapidly increasing population has exerted more pressure on the areas natural resources. These trends have exacerbated poverty on the island.
The Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (IHWFR)

Declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a watershed forest reserve in 1990, the IHWFR is the 11th largest watershed in the country with an area of 10,400.06 hectares. IHWFR is bounded in the north by the city of Himamaylan, in the south by Kabankalan, and in the east by the municipalities of Tayasan and Ayungan of Negros Occidental. The jurisdiction over IHWFR is shared by the cities of Himamaylan and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. The Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin is in the southern portion of the Negros Island, with about 56% of its area situated in Negros Occidental and the rest in Negros Oriental. The headwaters of the Ilog River originate from the north-western tip of the basin, flows southeast, and discharges in Panay Gulf. Meanwhile the Hilabangan River originates at the easternmost tip of the basin, flows west, and joins the Ilog River up north to form the basin. The plains of Ilog-Hilabangan feature an irregularly depressed area with alluvial soil in the flat lands and sloping hills. Alluvial deposits are mostly found in the vicinity of the mouth of the Ilog-Hilabangan River System. The hilly area, which is found in the southwestern portion of the basin, is composed mostly of young and old sediments with some volcanic soils. The IHWFR, particularly its forest and biodiversity, is at risk and already in a critical stage. According to Tababa, et al (2011), about 108 species of pioneer trees in the watershed were already highly disturbed and exploited. However, despite the man-made exploitation of endemic trees, several dipterocarp species, such as Almon (Shorea almon), Apitong ( Dipterocarpus grandiflorus ), Bagtikan (Parashorea maleanonan), Red Lauan ( Shoreane gronensis), White Lauan (Shorae constorta ), and Tanguile (Shorea polyperma ), were still observed to be present in the area. As for the fauna, eleven species of mammals and five species of bats were recorded as present in the area, while 65 bird species were recorded, 63 of which are considered breeding residents. In addition, the 2004 Resource Basic Inventory (RBI) study showed that the IHWFR was the habitat of the endemic bird species namely: Philippine hawk eagle (Spizaefus philippensis); white-eared brown dove ( Phapitreron leucotis ); pinkbellied imperial pigeon (Ducula poliocephala); blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis); blue crowned racquet-tailed ( Prioniturus discurus ); Philippine couca; ( Centropus viridis ); Philippine scops-owl ( Otus megalotus); tarictic hornbill (Penelopides panini); Waldens hornbill ( Aceros waldeni ); and white-winged cuckoo-shike ( Coracina ostenta).
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Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (CENRO, Kabankalan 2012)
The results of these two biodiversity profiles, the NEDF 2004 and the Tababa study, reveal the fragility of the IHWFR ecosystem due to intensified human activities in agriculture and forest livelihoods that contributed significantly to the decreased number of flora and fauna. The presence of large settlements in the area, unsustainable livelihoods like charcoal making, the conversion of tracts of forestland into rice, corn, and sugar farming, among others, further aggravate the deadening state of the watershed ecosystem. These activities could dramatically alter ecological conditions at unprecedented rates and lead to the complete loss of biodiversity resources. Furthermore, climate change could even double the human cost of biodiversity loss and destroy remaining valuable endemic species of plants and animals. Among those involved in the search for solutions is the Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (NEDF), a nonstock, non-profit private organization established in 1970. It has a working board of fifteen members who oversee the implementation of the programs and projects, which mostly serve marginalized sectors of Negros Occidental. NEDFs projects include various interventions not just on biodiversity conservation, protection, and forest restoration, but also on a range of social issues, including socialized housing, enterprise development, health, and sustainable agriculture projects. From 1994-2012, the NEDF has been responsible for various development interventions in the IHWFR. This case study aims to present the status of the IHWFR, review and evaluate NEDF projects implemented in the area with the view of proposing strategic goals for the next five years, and present an over-all sustainable model of sustainable development.
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METHODOLOGY
The case study was commissioned by the Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (NEDF). Results will serve as a reference and resource for the preparation of its overall strategy in building partnerships with various stakeholders in the rehabilitation, protection, and conservation of biodiversity in Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (IHWFR). A team of multidisciplinary experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB) was formed to consolidate data from previous NEDF projects and propose further steps to sustain the accomplishment of these projects and mitigate weaknesses in the implementation of earlier activities. In August 2012, the case study writers attended the case briefing conducted by the FPE and set the context, frameworks and guidelines for the case study. After a series of meetings between case study writers and the NEDF executive director and other staff, NEDF officials agreed on the title and over-all focus of the study. The title The Four Cs Cycle Model: Partnerships in Biodiversity Conservation Work in IHWFR was adopted in October. Data collection was done through interviews and extensive reviews of relevant documents like project reports, institutional annual reports, minutes of meetings with officials of various partners, and interviews with key people at the community, barangay, and municipal levels including local leaders, municipal agriculturists, and other representatives of stakeholders (Annex 1).
done locally to address rapid and alarming degradation of the ecosystem vis--vis worsening worldwide poverty, hunger, health, increasing population, and illiteracy. Under Agenda 21, sustainable development means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. In other words, it espoused a kind of development that is not just directed as bigger profits for business and industries, but is one that is regulated by improving the over-all quality of life. Agenda 21 assumes that human beings are the centre of concerns for sustainable development and that they are entitled to a healthy, productive life in harmony with nature. To further advocate sustainable development at the global level, the preamble of the UNCED 1992 specifically says that all aspects with environment protection and social economic development as they relate to forest and forest lands should be integrated and comprehensive. SD further recognizes that: Human depend on the earth to sustain life; There are linkages between human activity and environmental issues; Global concerns requires local action; and People have to be involved in planning developments for their own communities to make development sustainable. Many ecologists and biodiversity experts believe that the best strategy towards sustainable development and biodiversity conservation is forging partnerships since many declared forest reserves do not get enough protection from single and traditional institutions tasked to prevent illegal and unsustainable exploitation of the plant and animal resources. In addition, it is also necessary to make education a primary agent of transformation towards sustainable development in biodiversity conservation, because it increases peoples capacity to broaden their vision and realize these objectives on the ground.
CONTEXT
Sustainable Development as Global Context
Sustainable development (SD) as a concept and strategy was developed at the turn of the 19th century. More recently, its basic features were specified and elaborated in the global Agenda 21 by the United Nations, a statement of principles, policies, and mitigating measures that can be
The BCSD as Local Context

Consistent with Agenda 21, FPE developed the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability Development (BCSD) as a general conceptual framework for achieving sustainable development in the country. The implementation of the BCSD is guided by the following principles: 1. Decentralized Environment Management Republic Act 7160 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines strengthened the responsibilities of the local government units in environmental management through legislation, enforcing the granting of rights and privileges, and conservation in the use of natural resources. Under the BCSD, partnerships with LGUs are very important in any biodiversity and development project because these offices are the ones mandated to directly provide basic social and welfare services to communities.
2. Peoples Empowerment Various laws and policies in the Philippines mandate the establishment of peoples and community organizations that could support the LGUs in enforcing local and national laws/policies, especially those pertaining to environment management. They are given critical roles/participation in local bodies. For instance, the Local Government Code sanctions partnerships between the LGUs and NGOs/POs, mandating the former to assist in livelihood, civic, environmental, and social activities in the communities. These opportunities will make the grassroots organizations the respective centers of innovation in BCSD activities and management. 3. Integrated Development Aside from supporting cooperative ventures between national agencies and NGOs/POs for community-based activities, the Local Government Code also mandates LGUs to consolidate and coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to their communities. 4. PAGE 8 | Convergence and Partnership Collaboration among sectors and institutions is also promoted by the BCSD to maximize available resources in implementing environmental laws/policies for the benefit of the local communities. This convergence of sectors and institutions is operationalized, based on the development goals and aspiration of local communities.
Capacity Development in the context of SD

Capacity development (CD) embraces a wide range of activities. Morgan (1997) defines capacity development as the process by which individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions strengthen their capability to carry out their functions and achieve desired results over time. This definition is adopted by the NEDF in its up-scale initiatives and is implemented through trainings in the adoption, innovation, and promotion of biodiversity conservation and protection technology and practices.
NEDF Projects and Interventions

Early NEDF Projects with USAID The environmental initiatives of the NEDF started as early as 1990, when it launched an environmental project with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which launched efforts to develop the agroforestry area in Sitio Matanguilon, Barangay Camingawan, Kabankalan City. The Tan-awan Initiative under Canada Fund (2002-2004) With the continuing forest problem and unsustainable farming in IHWFR, NEDF received another grant from Canada Fund to continue its initiative on watershed management and rehabilitation through the practice of sustainable agriculture and forestry. The project involved the local people of Tan-awan and the citys agriculturist in the implementation of socio-economic projects like organic vegetable production and carabao dispersal. The various trainings on soil and water conservation, and the establishment of nurseries and other environmental initiatives helped in regenerating the forest and increasing the number of trees planted in the watershed. Resource Assessment at IHWFR (2004) In 2004 Haribon Foundation granted NEDF with fund support for the Ilog Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Participatory Resource Assessment. This resulted in the identification of threatened and endemic species present at the IHWFR. Watershed Management at Carol-an (2004-2006) Following positive outcomes of community involvement in the watershed initiatives in Tan-awan, a follow-up project on Community-based Watershed Management was funded by the UNDP-GEF and implemented by NEDF from 2004 to 2006 in Barangay Carol-an. The project aimed to implement a community-based watershed management program and establish ram-pump system in selected sitios.
Box A: Summary of NEDF Environmental Initiatives in IHWFR

YEAR 1990 2002 - 2004 2004 2004 - 2006 2005 - 2006 2006 - 2007 2008 - 2010 2011 2011 - 2013 2012 Agroforestry Project Promoting Uplanders Initiatives on Watershed Management and Rehabilitation through Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Participatory Resource Assessment Enhancing community-based watershed managementand water resource utilization using hydraulic powered pumping system Enhancing Participation of Bukidnon Katulanos Tribe in Biodiversity Conservation funded by FPE in Brgy. Carol-an Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Biodiversity Conservation Project Community-Based Co-Management of Resources towards a Sustainable Ecosystem for IHWFR (CoMaReSe) Enhancing Local Communities Initiatives in Biodiversity Conservation of IHWFR Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas Sustaining Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives PROJECT FUND SOURCE USAID Canada Fund Haribon Foundation UNDP-GEF FPE Haribon Foundation FPE and PTFCF FPE USAID-FPE FEF-SGP
Through the project, four units of ram-pumps were installed in four sitios namely: Tagbunon, Pag-agiwan, Bula II, and Hulogan. At least 125 households were able to access water for drinking and irrigation. For the maintenance of the ram-pump operation, monthly dues of Php 5 to 10 were collected per household. As a result of the projects, the Karulanos Tribal Community Association (KATRICA) was organized to protect its ancestral domain areas, including the project area which was part of the watershed forest reserve. Relevant trainings were conducted to strengthen the local organization in the management and protection of the watershed. One such training was on nursery establishment for forest and fruit trees, which led to the establishment of eight nurseries in different strategic sitios within the watershed area. A total of 46,100 seedlings were planted in the target 30 hectares in the area, while 21,060 endemic species and 17,040 fruit trees were planted along the farm lot 90 boundaries for production and protection. For protection of the watershed from illegal human activities, a team of 20 Bantay Gubat Volunteers (BGV) was organized and funds from the barangay council were given as support in the conduct of their regular foot patrol. In addition, the officers of the tribal community association received intensive onthe-job coaching to ensure sustainable management of the project. This included a cross-visit to the two successful biodiversity projects in Davao City to gain knowledge in conducting effective biodiversity conservation and protection practices.
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Bukidnon Karulanos Biodiversity Conservation (2005-2006) The Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) funded a NEDF project in 2005-2006 to enhance participation of the Bukidnon Karulanons Tribe in Biodiversity Conservation. Nurseries of endemic fruit trees were established in four communities in Carol-an, Kabankalan City. Around 11,250 seedlings were planted and maintained by tribe members and farmers. Trainings on nursery management and biodiversity monitoring and evaluation were provided to tribe members and BGVs. Collaboration with the Haribon Foundation (2006-2007) In 2006-2007, NEDF received substantial financial and technical assistance from Haribon Foundation to further its biodiversity initiatives in the watershed. This grant-aid project was devoted to training 40 BGVs to better protect, rehabilitate, and manage the forest resources of the watershed. Through the trainings, the BGVs learned practical forest concepts and good management practices. The training courses included nursery establishment and care, soil conservation, and agroforestry, practices that contribute to biodiversity protection and conservation. More importantly, with the participation of several institutions, the project was able to assist the Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Management Council (IHWFRMC) to directly respond to the emerging needs and concerns about the depletion of the biodiversity resources within the watershed communities. The council was composed of individuals from various institutions and diverse backgrounds, including representatives from LGUs, DENR, PENRO, the academe, NGOs, church organizations, POs, and internatioal donor agencies. The Councils significant output was the formulation of the Development and Management Plan and Operating Guidelines on the proper management of IHWFR biodiversity. This Development and Management Plan now serves as the blueprint for the biodiversity conservation and protection efforts in the watershed. The Haribon-assisted on-site biodiversity project also established field laboratories for biodiversity conservation and protection strategies and practices.
Significant accomplishments of the project were also attributed to the efforts, contributions and participation of the BGVs and other local partner institutions like Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities. Overall, the biodiversity project also resulted in the following: Formation and formal organization of the BGVs; Formulation of the Development and Management Plan for the conservation and protection of IHWFR; and Establishment of permanent billboards in the IHWFR.
The FPE-NEDF CoMaReSe (2008-2010) In order to enhance and sustain NEDF initiatives for biodiversity at the village level, NEDF received support from FPE and the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF) for the enhancement of the IHWFR biodiversity initiatives through the project Community-Based Co-Management of Resources towards a Sustainable Ecosystem for IHWFR (CoMaReSe). The main goal of the project was to enhance and improve biodiversity strategies and management approaches in the IHWFR within the context of Agenda 21 Sustainable Development. Within two years of implementing CoMaReSe, strong participation of all partners was achieved and resulted in the following: 1. The establishment of an endemic and fruit tree nursery as a source of planting seedling materials for rehabilitation projects in all participating BGVs. These nursery-produced seedlings required manual labor but had many advantages over natural seedling or seeds directly broadcasted by hand, including complete control over the tree species to be planted, easy creation of a pure and even-aged forest, and the availability of healthy nursery seedlings. 2. The enlistment of 60 BGVs from three barangays, including Buenavista in Himamaylan City, as well as Tan-awan and Carol-an in Kabankalan City. The BGVs have since intensified their forest protection activities through foot patrol operations within the watershed communities. So far, they have apprehended persons involved in illegal activities, such as small-scale mining, cutting of endemic trees (e.g. Lauan trees), and charcoal-making. 3. The conduct of BGV activities also included dialogues with community farmers to address biodiversity and farming concerns, including the infestation by Philippine Macaques (monkey) in the agricultural lands near the the city. NEDF also found partners in the academic institutions in Negros Island, including Negros State College of Agriculture (NSCA), Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, and Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. These institutions provided technical scientists and/or staff, who served as collaborators in the 2004 Resource Basic Inventory of flora and fauna, and recently, in the 2012 Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed and Forest Reserve Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment. 4. The active involvement of academic institutions, NSCA and Silliman University, to do IHWFR resource and socio-economic assessment of three barangays within the watershed. Faculty members and students of these schools got funding support for their research endeavors. It also exposed students to the conduct of biodiversity projects in the community. These research projects with funding support from various institutions are shown in Box B.
THE FOUR CS CYCLE MODEL: Partnerships in Biodiversity Conservation Work in Ilog-Hilabangan watershed Forest Reserve
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Box B: Collaborative Researches of NSCA from Various Institutions

PROJECT Floral and Faunal Assessment of Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve in Negros Occidental, Philippines Assessment of the Biophysical conditions of Caves Promoted for Ecotourism in Mabinay, Negros Oriental Bat Survey in Central Negros (Kabankalan, Negros Occidental and Mabinay, Negros Oriental) Comparative Diversity Index of Native Trees at the NSCA Lagoon and Swimming Pool Vicinity Raparian Vegetation Assessment of Ilog-Hilabangan River System Biodiversity and Habitability of Afforested Campus on Negros Island, Philippines Rapid Site Rural Appraisal of Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve PARTNER NEDF Silliman University Haribon Foundation Silliman University Haribon Foundation NSCA (Basic Research) CHED CHED CHED YEAR 2004 2006 2006 2007 2010 2011 2012 2012
Enhancing Local Communities Initiatives in Biodiversity Conservation of IHWFR (2011) With FPE funding, In June 2011, NEDF implemented the project to take off from the gains and accomplishments of the COMARESE Project and address the gaps that were not catered by the project, by focusing this time on the communities within the watershed. Major components of the project include (1) the establishment of Model Rainforestation Farms in the barangays within the watershed; (2) strengthening the BGV associations and the local watershed councils in the three barangays; and (3) continuous advocacy on the conservation and protection of the forest reserve through film screenings and community pulong-pulong. USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Project in IHWFR (2011-2013) Another direct result of the implementation of the CoMaReSe was the USAID-FPE funding support for the Upscaling of Forest Restoration Efforts in IHWFR. It has four component strategies, namely: 1) knowledge management, 2) partnership building, 3) natural resource management, and 4) sustainability. The forest restoration initiative must be seen as a complex ecosystem, not only in terms of interaction among its flora, fauna, and farming practices, but also in terms of human knowledge, learning institutions, and policies. This led to intensified capability building work of each BGV-PO level in the three barangays in the IHWFR. One major highlight of capacity development in this project is the gathering of multi-sector and multidisciplinary partners in BCSD to further generate biodiversity updates, new experiences, new knowledge, and build new skills. The first environmental summit was launched on June 21, 2012 in partnership with MUAD-Negros, FPE-USAID, Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, and CENRO-Kabankalan, and through the help of institutions at the national, regional, provincial, and PO levels.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1ST BCSD ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT

JUNE 2012
Participants of the environmental summit committed to help support and contribute to the conservation, protection, and restoration of the remaining forest in the IHWFR and the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP). The participants pledges vary from capability building, advocacy, forest law enforcement, livelihood, and forest restoration.
The IHWFR projects will surely be supported under Mayor Isidro Zaycos administration. The city is going to support the biodiversity conservation and protection initiatives in the watershed and is willing to apply these gains to other barangays with less covered trees. DELIA ANACAN Vice Mayor Kabankalan City
Multi-stakeholder participation in the protection and conservation of the environment is important. Multisector partnerships are transformative vehicles directed toward propelling the sustainability of environmental initiatives for the betterment of the forest ecosystem and the populace, particularly in Kabankalan and surrounding municipalities. JORGE LARGADO Councilor & Chair, Committee on Environmental Council Kabankalan City
It was attended by 216 participants, representing different institutions and agencies. It served as a venue for sharing information about the current state and potential of forest, freshwater and coastal ecosystems of Negros Island and the forging of commitments and support for development biodiversity initiatives in the area. The event also served as a venue for sharing of lessons learned and other insights on agricultural practices and determining new directions for the implementation of ridge-to-reef environmental conservation plans. The summit can be considered an important milestone in the decade-long intervention in the area, due to the following: 1. It was the first initiative of its kind and established a highly participative and collaborative climate; 2. It brought together government, NGOs, academe and grassroots organizations who have had independent biodiversity and development efforts since 1994 and strengthened existing linkages and partnerships; 3. It allowed the interaction between emergent players (i.e. new POs) and traditional stakeholders (i.e. LGU) in development work and made possible the drawing of past and new insights for future development activities; and 4. It allowed the mutual sharing of best practices and useful technologies, not just from academic experts but also from community members and established a clear indicator of the level of knowledge in the community which can be the starting point of future capacity-building initiatives. Sustaining Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives under the GEF-SGP (2012) In July 2012, NEDF also obtained funding from the Global Environmental Fund Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP) for the project Sustaining Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives in IHWFR. The goal of the project is to implement a peaceful, progressive, wellcovered, and well-sustained watershed ecosystem co-managed by a vibrant and committed community. Aside from creating sustainable livelihoods to reduce poverty, it also aims to improve the biodiversity conservation and protection management in the watershed. This objective is implemented through four major components, namely: 1) capacity and institutional building; 2) area resource management; 3) livelihood development; and 4) advocacy and networking. In terms of capacity-building, the project continues to intensify the training of BGV-PO from the three barangays on environmental laws on forest protection. Other initiatives included: cross-visits, livelihood projects for women, lobbying with the Kabankalan and Himamaylan City for food support for the BGV activities, and foot patrols. Moreover, part of the plan, in its advocacy campaign, is to install billboards in strategic locations as part of the information drive in support of the biodiversity campaign in the area.
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ANALYSIS
The NEDF Four Cs Cycle: Critical Variables

NEDF works in partnership with institutions, agencies, and peoples organizations in the community in various projects that it manages and implements. The partners contribute or share their human and material resources needed to sustain the BCSD projects. In addition, with so many interrelated issues on forest and biodiversity, a concerted effort involving institutions sharing a common belief that the key to conservation and sustainable development of biodiversity initiatives is the total participation of the BGV-POs and the local community. Thus, the transformative model of the sustainable process of NEDF linkaging with various stakeholders could be explained using the 4Cs cycle for its biodiversity conservation and sustainable development projects in the IHWFR. The Four Cs development cycle model consists of the four stages. These stages are described in detail in the succeeding sections along with discussions on important factors that facilitated the success of the different activities under each stage.
Stage 1: Capacitate
In the case of NEDF biodiversity initiatives, capacity-building integrated adult education and functional literacy with its biodiversity conservation and sustainable development activities. It transformed the watershed environment into a learning field laboratory, where local beneficiaries like the BGVs apply their knowledge and skills in natural resource forest management that affect the biodiversity of the IHWFR. The BGVs also learned how to innovate and enhance farm productivity within the context of sustainable agriculture, while maintaining the balance between the flora and fauna resources in the watershed environment. Adult education and trainings included practical, experiential, and hands-on skill activities, as well as educational enhancement on various aspects of the environmental conservation and protection. This approach in continuing adult education as a strategy in capacitating community members nurtured an environment of self-reliance and empowerment, which manifested in how the BGVs initiated independent initiatives and assumed expert roles in charge of the conservation and protection management of their forest and farms.
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STAGE 1: CAPACITATE
The continuing adult education and training implemented by NEDF in its environmental projects in the IHWFR communities started in 1989 and has been one of the key components of all its biodiversity and development projects. It was also a logical strategy to support the effective utilization of infrastructures and equipment provided to the community. For instance, in the community-based watershed management and water utilization project in Brgy. Carolan, Kabankalan City, the technical training provided by NEDF was a necessary component in order to utilize the ramp pumps installed by NEDF. Since it was based on clear needs, the trainings were very attractive to the communities and had the active participation of tribal members. Participants even organized into the Karulanos Tribal Community Association (KATRICA). Another important feature of the NEDF training is its participatory and experiential character. Combining lectures and experiential hands-on methods, their trainings in balanced ecosystem, healthy farming practices, sustainable agriculture, watershed and rainforest management, nursery establishment, and the sustainable farming of fruit trees, coffee, vegetables, abaca, corn, and crops for livelihood were wellreceived by the members of the community. Organizational development trainings also involved intensive on-the-job coaching, which was facilitated by the NEDF staff towards the end of the project to ensure the sustainability of the BCSD in the watershed. The development of BGVs and the independent initiatives in capacitybuilding attest to the appreciation of the participatory approach and facilitated better acceptability of the project among community members.
RESOURCE SHARING COLLABORATION BASED ON INSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTHS

The case of Kabankalan and Himamaylan City shows how initiatives are made possible through creative collaborations and sharing arrangements. As key partners itn biodiversity development, city governments provided logistic and policy support while PEMO and PENRO provided livelihood opportunities. CENRO and ENRO, on the other hand, assisted in the enforcement of forest laws. Local schools like the Negros State College of Agriculture provided expert resource persons on new biodiversity technologies. Grassroot stakeholders, both individuals and organizations, helped by providing material support such as food allowances and rain coats to the BGV. Since NEDF had neither policy nor enforcement mandate, it coordinated the work of three POs within the watershed areas and facilitated their representation in decision-making at the LGU level.
Stage 2: Collaborate - Improving Implementation of the BCSD through Creative Collaborations

Most of the early initiatives on conservation, protection, and restoration of the natural resources, particularly in the IHWFR, were fragmented and mostly done by individual institutions. Community members were also not involved in the planning stage and merely received whatever technologies were introduced to them. Recognizing these complex problems in the implementation of community-based projects in biodiversity, the NEDF agenda on watershed conservation and protection called for more effective, collaborative partners at the national, regional, and LGU levels. It also called for collaboration with the academe, public and private schools, NGOs, and the people in the communities. This partnership served as a vehicle for efficient and effective development and promotion of BCSD initiatives in the IHWFR areas. Since the intention of the biodiversity partnership project was to develop actions or policies on how BCSD could be sustainably managed by the local community, NEDF re-focused its partnership with various individuals/or institutions to generate more support for its BCSD initiatives and create a strong foundation in the development and promotion of sustainable biodiversity projects in the watershed. NEDF focused on fostering concerted actions among community stakeholders, which included the development of action plans, resolving conflicts, monitoring and evaluation of the projects, information sharing, and lobbying to get more support. To attain this kind of relationship, NEDF forged collaborations characterized by periodic consultations and continual open dialogues. Through this approach the specific needs of each sectors were addressed. In other words, all environmental initiatives were refined in such a way that these are integrated into actual community needs and not just on developmental agenda. Such collaborations based on mutual recognition of limitations, strengths and weaknesses allowed the conduct of more activities initiated and carried out at the grassroots level.
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Stage 3: Consolidate - Sharing the Best Biodiversity Practices

As NEDF projects progressed, partner institutions participation also intensified and concerted gains, continuously propagating not only in terms of output but in terms of levels of involvement. For instance, organizational involvement evolved from being merely reactive to being more proactive in collaborating with local organizations. This level of participation allowed NEDF to expand its activities to other community issues, which eventually encompassed upland agriculture, ensuring food self-sufficiency and security, reducing poverty, aviable rural enterprise, and building the human potential of local people especially the BGVs and their families. In turn, NEDF involvement in more areas of community life developed a more favorable political climate and trust in the IHWFR. With this trust and credibility and its expanded role in the over-all development of the area, NEDF was able to effectively lobby for funding support so that the BGV could sustain their own activities, like planting more endemic trees to restore the forest watershed.
its FPE-USAID Up-Scale Biodiversity Project, it increased the number of BGVs from 60 to 100 volunteers in the three participating barangays namely: Buenavista (Himamaylan City), Tan-awan, and Carolan (Kabankalan City). In addition, the project also enhanced the establishment of three PO nurseries in the three barangays within the watershed areas. In June 21, 2012, NEDF, together with its partners, sponsored an Island Summit Conference in the Farmers Training Center, Kabankalan City. The summit provided a venue for all partners to share their gains, lessons learned, and new directions in the implementation of their respective environmental initiatives in Negros.
NEDF ROLE IN EXPANDING AND CONSOLIDATING INTENSIFIED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

After more than a decade in the IHWFR, NEDF achieved tremendous gains in the development and promotion of BCSD initiatives in the communities. It also gained credibility and a track record that facilitated bringing individuals and institutions together. Apparently, the gains along with the combined skills and initiative of various partners enabled NEDF to organize the Ilog-Hilabanagan Watershed Forest Reserve Management Council (IHWFRMC). NEDF also facilitated the formation of a TWG, which included representatives of Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities, barangay captains, chairmen of BGVs organizations, DENR, PENRO, SCUs, NGOs, and church organizations. This TWG formulated the development and management plan for sustainable biodiversity conservation and protection in the watershed area.
Stage 4: Create - Increasing the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development

NEDF has been involved in biodiversity conservation and protection projects in IHWFR for almost two decades. There were significant gains in the areas of biodiversity and forest restoration, like the formation of 100 BGVs, the establishment of three endemic tree nurseries, and the reorganization of IHWFRMC. These gains are now being used by NEDF and partner institutions as a strategy to get more support in terms of funds and other resources for the expansion of its biodiversity projects in watershed areas, in order to create more opportunities for development. NEDF used its biodiversity accomplishments as leverage to attract funding support and more partners to widen its scope of coverage and activities in the watershed. In the field of forest protection, through
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SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary and Conclusions
The issues in managing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the IHWFR communities remain as major challenges for individuals and communities. The imperative to subsist and enjoy the economic benefits of utilizing rich natural resources in the areas, while finding ways to protect the forest, is still a critical question for all stakeholders in the area. These challenges embodied in the Agenda 21 for sustainable development in forestry cannot be addressed by individual institutions alone but require a synergy from both public and private entities, including community organizations. It also requires continuous innovation, without denying the livelihood of the local people in farming through the practice of sustainable agriculture.
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NEDF is one of the leading stakeholders in the IHWFR. A private non-stock and non-profit foundation based in Negros Island, it has examined, designed, and implemented many alternative strategies to save the natural resources of the IHWFR and is responsible for various biodiversity and sustainable development initiatives in the area for almost two decades. NEDFs biodiversity conservation and forest restoration initiatives utilize a strategy of intensified stakeholder involvement, which starts with capacity-building leading to gradual participation in key aspects of project planning and implementation. It also involves the integration of socio-cultural, economic, and political-civic components of community life. Such strengthened partnerships have been nurtured in many of NEDFs projects and have resulted in the following:
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The example of NEDFs successes in environmental projects in partnership with the City of Kabankalan has also given the city environmental group an eye opener on how environmental laws could be implemented effectively in IHWFR communities with the strong participation of BGVs. Such gains through collaborative work with NEDF enabled the City of Kabankalan to engage in a broader forest conservation and protection project targeted in IHWFR and other mountainous barangays. Funded by KFW-Germany and with DENR as its local conduit partners, the project aimed to reforest the denuded forest with endemic trees and the planting of food crops as a source of food as well as income for the BGVs and their families. The crops intended to be grown in the agro-forestry areas are only those that do not compromise the conservation of the forest. In partnership with its City Agriculturist Office (CAO) and a private company like Nestle, Inc., the crops identified as forest-friendly-crops are coffee, banana, jackfruit, avocado, and cassava. Maintaining these crops does not require intensive cultivation and application of synthetic fertilizers which can result in increased soil erosion and nutrient deficiency. These crops may be used as a home staple and as an alternative source of income. Other parts of crop scan also be consumed in varied ways. For example, aside from its fruit, banana leaves were also used for wrapping foodstuff, while cassava can also be processed into flour. The establishment of more nurseries in the watershed area was another activity of the project. Aside from
being the source of endemic seedlings, the nurseries also served as sources of additional income for the BGVs and their families. The NEDFs partnership with NSCA created opportunities for the latter to get more research funds and partners for its environmental studies in the watershed. At the community level, the formation of the three BGV-POs from the earlier NEDF environmental projects showed that it is easier for these volunteers to be vigorously activated to work together in the UpScale Biodiversity project in IHWFR. With the BGVs experiences as guardians of the watershed forest, the group is now mobilized by NEDF as local partners in implementing its other biodiversity projects. Similarly, the provincial DENR through the ENRO of Himamaylan City recommended the Buenavista BGVs as the PO implementor of the National Greening Program of the Philippines for IHWFR. In the USAID-FPE project, NEDF revitalized the participation of the three existing BGV organizations as its co-partners in the implementation of new projects on BCSD. These kinds of linkages have motivated the BGVs to rehabilitate their nurseries and learn new techniques in growing and managing endemic seedlings to ensure the continuity of the production of seedlings for their forest restoration activities. The learning-experiential process initiated in the nursery would not only help the BGVs generate knowledge and income but also build their productive capacity. For example, in each nursery site, the group would be taught how to grow wildlings using the growth chamber method developed by the Visayas State University.
Increased awareness of the IHWFR communities with regards to the rehabilitation and protection initiatives in the watershed areas; Formations of various BGVs and POs which remain active in biodiversity efforts in the area;
necessary capability building support to beneficiaries, establish sustainable linkages across various institutions, encouraging their involvement in various stages of project implementation, and coordinating independent efforts towards a unified strategy for environmental conservation and development. Such a strategy has cultivated a highly participative climate in the watershed area and has provided numerous opportunities for the realization of the BCSD. The emphasis on capacity-building, partnerships, and local stakeholders participation have strengthened the sense of ownership of the different biodiversity projects in the IHWFR, allowed the coverage of projects to involve other community issues, and facilitated an atmosphere of trust and credibility that has served as leverage for additional funding and policy support including additional projects. The use of the Four Cs model has also provided the following insights with regards to effective implementation of biodiversity and other development activities: Involvement of the local people at the start of the project, especially the formation of the BGVs which later organized as POs, barangay officials, two city governments, and other sectors were the major steps in bringing the local people to be more actively involved in the smooth implementation of the BCSD initiatives. Strengthened partnerships with the key stakeholders, like recognizing the participation of the LGU under the Local Government Code, which encourages strong local government support which is crucial in ensuring that the project gains are sustained and protected.
Facilitated amendment of the IHWFR Co-Management Agreement which integrated the inclusion of the Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) and the Fiber Industry Development Board (FIDA) in the council; Institutionalization of the local watershed council in three barangays namely: Buenavista (Himamaylan City),Tan-awan, and Carol-an (Kabankalan City); Lobbying with two legislature councils of Kabankalan and Himamaylan City for the users fee and two water district offices for fund allocation in IHWFR environmental projects and continuous lobbying for peoples representation in decision-making bodies;
Establishment of partnerships and collaborations among diverse types of institutions including government, NGOs, POs, charitable institutions, private organizations, and academic institutions. The success of the NEDF intervention model may be attributed to the Four Cs Cycle which framed the overall biodiversity strategy in the watershed area. In general, the NEDFs Four Cs Cycle consists of four stages of mobilization namely, capacitate, collaborate, consolidate and create. The strategy emphasizes the need to provide
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Nursery-farm establishment and demonstration technologies for raising endemic wildlings using growth chamber must be anchored on locally-tested knowledge systems of the BGVs, to ensure interventions that are appropriate to local conditions. A multi-sector consultation and planning, particularly with the local community at the start of the project, facilitates the active involvement of various stakeholders in planning and project implementation. BGVs can only be mobilized to seriously undertake the foot patrol when they get political support from the LGU and DENR, begin to own the project, and to realize the importance of biodiversity for their survival. The policy and advocacy mechanism, with regards to biodiversity, within the LGUs and DENR should be defined and strengthened to ensure the sustainability of policy-related interventions, done by the NEDF and BGVs in the watershed areas. Involvement of women in the POs livelihood and enterprise development should further be improved, and it is only in the 2012 GEF/SGP Biodiversity Project where the wives of PO members will participate in its handicraft livelihood projects. In addition, even in the PO organization are predominantly male.
The various accomplishments of the NEDF projects, the identification of critical variables for the effective implementation of the Four Cs model and the success of the recent 1st BCSD Environmental Summit funded by USAID-FPE provide a special case for a highly active and capable grassroots base and a foundation for future directions and biodiversity ventures in the area.
Recommendations: NEDF Plans for the Next Five Years

The active BGVs in three (3) barangays in IHWFR, the independent initiatives at the grassroots level, the established partnerships among public and private institutions, and the level of knowledge and commitment of community members were evident in the 1st BCSD Environmental Summit, which is a culmination of the NEDF efforts through the years. Given these established resources and the already highly participative environment, the following areas of concern may be addressed in the next stages of the project: 1. Strengthening the activity of the Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Resource Management Council (IHWFRMC) and its Technical Working Group (TWG ) The IHWFRMC facilitated by NEDF is tasked with making policies and guidelines in the protection and conservation of the forest trees in the watershed. The council and the TWG, however, sometimes are inactive because of the lack of support in terms of funds from their agencies or institutions. Given these problems, all partners must provide budgetary support to the council and TWG. For the city of Kabankalan and Himamaylan, funds must be allotted by appropriation ordinance for the working council or TWG to sustain their functions in the NRM of the watershed. 2. Sustain the Bantay Gubat Volunteer organization or movement The BGVs in the three barangays, which were organized into POs, could not only help manage the forest in the IHWFR but also facilitate rapid community organizing. Through these groups, stakeholders can encourage other local people to volunteer. Thus, the high-level involvement among BGVs and other POs must be sustained. Kabankalan and Himamaylan, as strong partners in environmental projects in the IHWFR, should intensify support for these groups. The local government can sustain the POs through technical assistance and appropriation ordinances that provide allowances for the BGV and incentives leading to the widespread adoption of planting endemic trees. 3. Expansion of BGV recruitment for effective natural forest resource management The achievements of NEDF in the formation of 100 BGVs in the watershed are highly commendable in terms of protecting and conserving the biodiversity in the areas. However, since the IHWFR area is more than 100,000 hectares, NEDF should continue to recruit more BGVs to cover the huge area. In addition, more trainings on forest management and protection are needed.
4. Strengthening the monitoring capacity and scheme of the BGVs organizations The up-scaling project needs to establish a systematic scheme, especially the BGVs who are organized and trained on forest management and restoration. The village and LGU levels need strengthening, with the following recommendations: Encourage more local volunteers to become members of BGV who can continuously feed back to the LGU and CENRO on the state of the forest trees in their respective areas. Advocate the allocation of funds among volunteer implementers. Establish an electronic database network for the program at the barangay and LGU levels. 5. Developing of non-timber enterprises The need for enterprises like abaca, coffee, and others is key to the sustainability of forest restoration. The area is already potent for the production of these resources which can not only effectively maintain biodiversity but also establish new markets and sources of income. However, market linkage support must be assured by LGUs to ensure profitability of these products. In addition, existing organizations must be trained in effective business management systems to develop the enterprise. 6. Development of effective knowledge management system Sharing best practices during the 1st Environmental Summit funded by USAID-FPE shows rich indigenous knowledge in the area. The technology transfer trainings on growth chamber developed by the Visayas State University (VSU) are also a case in point. The GC training included the development of skills in growing quality seedlings through instructional and hands-on training. However, when the POs applied this GC technology in their own nursery, they observed slight problems in the growth of the seedlings. So they resorted to combining their old practices in growing seedlings, so that they have now modified the raising of wildlings appropriate to their condition. Both cases prove that there is the need for a knowledge management system that will document local technology and successful indigenous practices and support the effective mass-transfer of this knowledge. This will ensure the promotion of more appropriate practices and minimize dependence on outside technologies. The culture specific and context-sensitive nature of these practices may also allow easier adoption among community members.
REFERENCES
Agenda 21: Sustainable Development Agenda Alcala, E., M.F.G. Posadas, M.F.G., M.M. Cabayao, S.A. Urbanozo, G. Jungco, R.T. Tababa, G. Predo, F.S. Piad, and A. Bucol 2011. Ilog Hilabangan Watershed and Forest Reserve Resource and Socio-Economic Assessment: Draft. Technical Report Aquino, C.C. by the President of the Philippines, Proclamation 602 Establishing as Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed forest Reserve for Purposes of Protecting, Maintaining, or Improving the Water Yield and Providing Restraining Mechanism for Inappropriate Forest Exploitation and Disruptive Land-use, A certain Parcel of Land of the Public Domain Located in the Municipalities of Himamaylan and Kabankalan, Province of Negros Occidental, Island of Negros, Philippines. Online by Official Gazette. https://www.gov. ph/1990/09/28/proclamation-no-602-s-1990/ Morgan, P. 1997. The Design and Use of Capacity Development Indicators. Paper prepared for the Political and Social Policies Division, Policy Branch, CLDA Quebec, Canada: Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) NEDF. 2004-2006. Enhancing Community Based Watershed Management and Water Resource Utilization through Hydraulic Powered Pumping System Project. Terminal Report UNDP. GEF NEDF.2005-2006. Enhancing Participation of Bukidnon Karulanos Tribe in Bio-Diversity Conservation. Terminal Report. FPE NEDF.2008-2010. Community Based Co-Management Agreement of Resources for Sustainable Ecosystem for Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (CoMaReSe) Terminal Report. FPE Tababa, R. Dagunan, M. A; Depra, R.; Moraca, A.; Cabalo, N.; Paalan, R.; Muleta, E. 2009. Floral and Faunal Assessment of Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Paper presented during the WESVARRDEC Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights; La Paz, Iloilo City. Turner, C., Tamblyn, A., Dray, R., Maunder, L., and P. Raines. 2003. The biodiversity of the Upper ImbangCaliban Watershed, North Negros Forest Reserve, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Technical Publication of the Negros Rainforest Conservation Project: A Collaborative Initiative between the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc, and Coral Cay Conservation.
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ANNEX 1: KEY INFORMANTS

State University Mary Ann Dagunan Kabankalan City Engr. Rogelio Diaz City Dr. Nemesio Caete Susan Casalem Jorge Largado Joseph Mahinay Jerry Medez Himamaylan City Amelia Waldato Remegio Tuazon Christopher Gajonera NEDF Roseo J. Depra Joenito Duran Cornelio Alipo-on Dean, School of Forestry, NSCA
Engineer of Kabankalan Kabankalan City Agriculturist Former Kabankalan CENRO Kabankalan City Councilor and Tribal Leader, Karulanos BGV President, Tan-awan, Kabankalan BGV President, Carol-an, Kabankalan
ENRO Himamaylan City Barangay Councilor, Buenavista, Himamaylan BGV President, Buenavista, Himamaylan
Executive Director, NEDF Operations Manager, NEDF NEDF Staff for USAID-FPE Project
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ANNEX 2: QUESTIONS ASKED DURING THE INTERVIEW
FOR NEDF Context a. Enumerate all environmental projects implemented by the foundation: 1) Funding agencies 2) Partners in the implementation 3) Significant accomplishments in terms of biodiversity and forest protection b. Roles of NEDF in relation to each partner in each environmental project; and the roles of each partners in such projects. Analysis a. As partners, what are the benefits you get from the environmental projects? 1) Economic, environmental and socio-political 2) How does it help your organization to get other funds to initiate similar projects in the IHWFR? 3) Indicators that NEDF have helped your organization get fund support from the donor organization to do environmental project in the IHWFR 4) What aspects of partnership need to be improved in implementing biodiversity and forest restoration projects on the watershed? Vision a. As partners, what would be your vision of the future to achieve sustainable forest restoration and watershed management in the IHWFR? b. Suggest what role you think NEDFs role is in achieving such a vision in the IHWFR. Next Five Years a. Lessons learned in partnership building b. Recommendation for: 1) Sustainable partnership at the LGU and PO levels 2) Knowledge management 3) Natural resource management as partners c. How can you work to sustain the forest restoration and watershed management initiation?
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CASE STUDY WRITERS

JOSE R. MEDINA took his Ph.D. in Entomology-Pest Management on a USAID scholarship from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA while his masters degree in Entomology and bachelors degree in Agriculture were taken at University of the Philippine Los Banos. He currently works as an Adjunct Professor at the College of Public Affairs and Development and serve as the Senior Alumni Volunteer and Consultant for Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, UPLB, the volunteer service program of UP. His extensive experience include working as professor for both graduate and undergraduate courses in UPLB, Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, Research Fellow and Deputy-Director for Agriculture of the Center for Integrated Development Studies at UP Diliman and project leader and consultant to various agriculturerelated projects. He has also received numerous awards throughout his career including one for spearheading a sustainable environmental program cited as one of the 10 Green Program for Best Environmental Programs in 2008 by the National Youth Commission, Outstanding Extension Program Award in 2007, International Publication Awards, Department of Agriculture Secretarys Awards for research and development, and Centennial Distinguished Award in Agriculture. Other co-writers include Marc Brian Manlubatan, Rowena DT. Baconguis, Pamela Custodio and Glenn Lubuguin.
FPE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Godofredo T. Villapando, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Liza M. Vida OIC-MANAGER, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UNIT Mary Ann B. Leones MANAGER, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIT Fernando M. Ramirez MANAGER, LUZON REGIONAL UNIT Myrissa L. Tabao MANAGER, VISAYAS REGIONAL UNIT Armando C. Pacudan MANAGER, MINDANAO REGIONAL UNIT Mary Ann B. Leones MANAGER, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIOND UNIT Jay Carmela C. Ciriaco MANAGER, FINANCE UNIT Doreen A. Erasga OFFICER, HUMAN RESOURCE UNIT Pearl C. Vivar OFFICER, GENERAL SERVICES UNIT
USAID-FPE PROJECT TEAM

Maria Felda S. Domingo NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR Rosalie G. Pasibe LUZON REGIONAL COORDINATOR June Arthur P. Banagodos VISAYAS REGIONAL COORDINATOR Joseph Thaddeus R. Rabang MINDANAO REGIONAL COORDINATOR/ NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Cherylon A. Herzano NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Sept 2011-June 2012) Michelle D. Alejado PARTNERSHIP BUILDING SPECIALIST Ma. Rhodora C. Veloso KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Feb-Sept 2012) Florence C. Baula KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Constancia S. Bacolod PROJECT ASSISTANT Carina Dacillo/ Charity Marces/ Anita T. Tungala BOOKKEEPER
The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. In the Philippines, USAID works in partnership with the national government in creating a more stable, prosperous and well-governed country through programs that promote broad-based and inclusive economic growth, increase peace and stability in Mindanao, and reduce risks from natural disasters. For more information about USAIDs programs in the Philippines, visit http://philippines.usaid.gov.
FPE is the first and largest grant-making organization for civil society environmental initiatives in the Philippines. Its support went primarily to protecting local conservation sites and strengthening community and grassroots-led environmental efforts in more than 65 critical sites through more than 1,300 projects grants. The establishment of FPE on January 15, 1992 was meant to abate the destruction of the countrys own natural resources. As many as 334 NGOs and grassroots organizations, along with 24 academic institutions, helped set its course through a process of nationwide consultations. Subsequently, Philippine and United States government agencies and NGOs raised the foundations initial $21.8-million endowment through an innovative debt-for-nature swap. Today, FPE remains committed in fulfilling its roles as a catalyst for cooperation, grant maker, and fund facilitator for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. For more information about FPE, visit http://www.fpe.ph.
Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (NEDF) was formed 43 years ago by 5 individuals who loved negros and answered the call to help improve the lives of the working poor of the province. since then, nedF has been involved in socio-economic and participatory development programs for the achievement of a better quality of life for the negrenses. Currently, it implements programs on environmental protection and conservation, socialized housing, sustainable agriculture and business development services that benefit farmers, indigenous people, agrarian reform beneficiaries, urban poor and women. For more information about NEDF, email nedf1970@yahoo.com.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines

Annex 2 Building U.S. Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard 1000 Ermita, Manila Philippines Fax: (02) 301 6213
Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

77 Matahimik Street Teachers Village, Diliman Quezon City 1101 Philippines Telephone: (02) 927 2186/ 926 9629/ 927 9403 Fax: (02) 9223022
Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF)

NEDF Building, 6th Street 6100 Bacolod City Negros Occidental Philippines Telephone: (034) 468 0241 / (034) 433 1071

The Four C&#39;s Cycle Model

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KALIKASAN BCSD Knowledge Series NINE

THE FOUR Cs CYCLE MODEL

THE FOUR Cs CYCLE MODEL

Mission Director, USAID/Philippines

The BCSD Knowledge Series of FPE

Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas

The Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (IHWFR)

Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve (CENRO, Kabankalan 2012)

The BCSD as Local Context

Capacity Development in the context of SD

NEDF Projects and Interventions

Box A: Summary of NEDF Environmental Initiatives in IHWFR

Box B: Collaborative Researches of NSCA from Various Institutions

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1ST BCSD ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT

The NEDF Four Cs Cycle: Critical Variables

RESOURCE SHARING COLLABORATION BASED ON INSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTHS

Stage 2: Collaborate - Improving Implementation of the BCSD through Creative Collaborations

Stage 3: Consolidate - Sharing the Best Biodiversity Practices

NEDF ROLE IN EXPANDING AND CONSOLIDATING INTENSIFIED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Stage 4: Create - Increasing the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations: NEDF Plans for the Next Five Years

ANNEX 1: KEY INFORMANTS

ANNEX 2: QUESTIONS ASKED DURING THE INTERVIEW

CASE STUDY WRITERS

FPE MANAGEMENT TEAM

USAID-FPE PROJECT TEAM

THE FOUR Cs CYCLE MODEL

PARTNERSHIPS IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WORK IN ILOG-HILABANGAN WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines

Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF)

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The Four C's Cycle Model

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