PA00TFJT

The Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System Manual
MODULE 1
Forest Conservation
Area Planning
Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning
A
Copyright © 2018 by the United States Agency for International Development and
Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources Forest Management Bureau
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form other than for
educational or private use without prior permission from the copyright holders.
This material is based upon work supported by the United States Agency for International Development
under contract award number AID-492-C-13-0002.
Production by Chemonics International Inc.
Editorial Team:
Dr. Efrain Laureano
Dr. Roberto B. Rapera
Ms. Jana Franke-Everett
Ms. Denise Felix
Ms. Wynne Mancini
Manual Design, Graphics, and Art Direction: Mr. Ramir E. Recinto
Writers:
Dr. Felix Gaschick
Mr. Rodolfo B. Santos
Technical Contributions from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR):
For. Ricardo L. Calderon CESO III, For. Nonito M. Tamayo CESO IV, For. Ma Teresa G. Aquino, For. Edna D.
Nuestro, Engr. Paul Brian P. Lachica, For. Jhun B. Barit, For. Ray Thomas F. Kabigting, For. Pemelyn B. Santos
This Lawin manual is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United
States Agency for International Development. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect
the views of the USAID or the United States government.
Recommended citation: USAID/B+WISER. 2018. The Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System
Manual. Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning.
Copies available from: DENR Forest Management Bureau.

Tel: (02) 928-9313. http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/
MODULE 1
Forest Conservation
Area Planning
Preface
An estimated 90 percent of the Philippines was once covered with
natural forests, making the forest ecosystem and its associated
animal species the main component of the country’s terrestrial
biodiversity. However, during the last century, the Philippines
has seen a drastic decline in forest cover. Currently, less than 7
million hectares of natural forest remain, scattered throughout
the islands of the country. Due to habitat fragmentation and
anthropogenic pressures, many indigenous and endemic species
of flora and fauna are at the brink of extinction. The decline in
forest cover also exacerbates vulnerability to natural disasters
and reduces the quality of forest ecosystem services, such as clean
water and air, delivered to Filipinos. To safeguard the ecosystem’s
services, effective protection of the country’s remaining natural
forests is an urgent priority.

In 2015, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), in partnership with the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), developed the Lawin
Forest and Biodiversity Protection System (hereinafter, Lawin).
Named after the Philippine Hawk Eagle, Lawin uses information
on forest cover change, indicator species, and forest and
biodiversity threats to design management plans for conservation
areas. Lawin helps to scientifically determine forest conservation
areas and targets, uses open-source software for efficient data
collection and analysis, allows for informed decision-making, and
integrates mechanisms to appropriately respond to threats. This
holistic approach to forest and biodiversity protection empowers
authorities and communities to record and address threats to
natural forests and to protect ecosystems vital for both urban and
rural communities. In March 2016, the DENR formally adopted
Lawin as part of the Philippine’s national strategy for forest
ii
protection. The agency, in continued partnership with USAID,
then spearheaded the nationwide implementation of Lawin
and forged partnerships with other public and private entities
interested in supporting this effort to protect the country’s forests
and the biodiversity within them.
How to Use the Lawin Manual

This manual is a training guide and reference for Lawin
implementers. It consists of four modules, each reflecting the
four major activities under the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity
Protection System:
■■ Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning
Presents the various components of the forest
conservation area plan and provides a guide for Lawin
implementers on how to draft this prerequisite plan that
is the basis for applying the system
■■ Module 2: Patrolling
Describes how to plan, implement and evaluate forest

patrols to support the achievement of conservation
objectives and targets set forth in the forest conservation
area plan
■■ Module 3: Data Management
Describes the processes of transferring, syncing, and
analyzing patrol data and explains how up-to-date
information on forest conditions and threats enables
data-driven decision-making to implement forest
protection strategies and measure their effectiveness
■■ Module 4: Response
Explains the protocols for responding to observed
threats during and after patrols and the process of how
the response protocols were developed
iii
Acronyms
B+WISER Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger
Economy and Ecosystem Resilience program
CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources
Office
DENR Philippines Department of Environment and
Natural Resources
FMB Forest Management Bureau
IEC Information, Education, and Communication
IP Indigenous People
LGU Local Government Unit

MENRO Municipal Environment and Natural Resources
Office
NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office
PO People’s Organization
USAID United States Agency for International Development
iv
Contents
Preface........................................................................... ii
How to Use the Lawin Manual....................................... iii
Acronyms...................................................................... iv
Messages....................................................................... vi
1. Introduction................................................................1
2. Roles and Responsibilities............................................1
3. Planning Horizon........................................................2
4. Steps of Forest Conservation Area Planning................2
a. Describe the area of the natural forest....................2
b. Describe the current forest condition......................5

c. Define conservation objectives................................9
d. Establish conservation targets...............................10
e. Describe the desired future forest condition..........12
f. Identify interventions.............................................15
g. Identify organizational collaboration
and institutional arrangements.............................16
5. Forest Conservation Area Plan Preparation................17
ANNEX: Forest Conservation Area Plan Template...........18
v
Messages
At USAID, we believe that conservation of our

world’s natural resources is development.
Drawing from decades of conservation work,
USAID believes that responsible stewardship of

our natural resources, including forests, is
critical in pursuing a sustainable path to development that
enriches natural capital instead of depleting it. However, efficient
natural resource management is a collective endeavor. It must
involve strong commitment and cooperation among all levels of
government, as well as the private sector, development partners,
and even the nation’s citizenry.
The successful adoption and national scale up implementation of
the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System, developed
under the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger
Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) program,
showcases how development results can be achieved through
a partnership that takes the principles of self-reliance, local
ownership, and sustainability to heart. Through Lawin, USAID and
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
have worked together to enhance the way forest protection and
vi biodiversity conservation are done in the Philippines.
DENR leadership at the national and field levels, as well as the
strong budgetary support provided by the Philippine government
to accompany the technical assistance provided by USAID,
have been vital to the nationwide implementation of the Lawin
system. Through active participation of all DENR offices at the
National, Regional, Provincial, and Community levels, Lawin is
helping the DENR protect the Philippines’ seven million hectares

of remaining natural forest and the rich biodiversity co-existing
within these habitats.
Lawrence Hardy II
USAID Philippines Mission Director
vii
Messages
Our forests support our ecosystems. They

perform ecological functions that protect and
sustain life. Primarily, they are our sources of
food and an important source of income and

livelihood for many Filipinos. However, despite
their vital role in the country’s ecosystem and economy, they
continue to decline at an alarming rate.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
in partnership with the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), implements the Lawin Forest and
Biodiversity Protection System through the B+WISER Program
as a strategy to protect natural forests.
The Lawin system utilizes advanced technologies capable of
tracing forest threats, especially in hotspot areas. It has fast data
processing for immediate reporting and coordination with DENR
and other law enforcement agencies. Such efficiencies equip the
agencies with informed decisions for timely response. In 2016,
because of the effectiveness of Lawin in protecting seven sites,
covering 200,000 hectares of natural forests, the DENR launched
it as a national strategy for sustainable forest management.
viii
This training manual, the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity
Protection System Manual, containing four modules on forest
conservation area planning, data management, patrolling, and
response was designed to further enhance the effectiveness of
the Lawin System for forest protection and conservation. The
training manual’s science-based and purpose-driven approaches
to forest law enforcement build up the efficiencies of the Lawin

system for forest protection.
It is my hope that the use of this manual would be maximized
to improve the capability of 3,000 forest rangers and 200 data
managers currently patrolling the 6.5 million hectares of our
country’s forest conservation areas. May it likewise be used
to train volunteers from non-government organizations and
people’s organizations, currently involved in forest protection
and conservation in the country.
Gen. Roy Agullana Cimatu, AFP (Ret.)

DENR Secretary
ix
1. Introduction
Forest conservation area planning offers an effective framework
for guiding biodiversity conservation and natural forest protection
and, therefore, forms the first step of the Lawin system. The
planning stage defines the spatial scope, purpose of protection,
and desired condition of natural forests and conservation targets
required to achieve that condition. Forest conservation area
plans drafted at this stage also describe the interventions needed
to reach the targets.
This manual describes the components of the forest conservation
area plan and provides a guide for drafting it as the first step of
Lawin.
2. Roles and Responsibilities

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office
(CENRO)1 prepares the forest conservation area plans in

consultation with relevant stakeholders such as communities, civil
society groups, and the private sector. The CENRO then submits
the plan to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO), where it is reviewed for completeness, accuracy,
and feasibility. If revisions are needed, the PENRO returns the plan
to the CENRO for updating and improving. When no revisions are
needed, the PENRO endorses and submits the plan to the regional
office for approval. Upon receipt, the regional office reviews the
plan, and the Regional Director either approves and submits the
plan to the central office or returns it to the PENRO with a request
for revision by the CENRO.
1 The term CENRO refers to implementing PENROs where applicable.

1
3. Planning Horizon2
Forest conservation area plans cover a period of five to 10 years.
Particularly the definition of conservation targets and the desired
future forest condition depend on the actual planning horizon
and need to be defined accordingly to ensure feasibility.
4. Steps of Forest Conservation Area

Planning
a. Describe the area of the natural forest
The forest conservation area plan focuses on all the natural forest
within the CENRO’s area of responsibility regardless of whether
it falls within protected areas or any tenure instrument (Figure 1).

Other forested areas such as tree plantations and agroforestry
farms are excluded from the forest conservation area plan,
since planning for productivity is different from planning for
conservation.
To effectively protect the natural forest and target protection
activities in the right places, it is critical to know and describe
the location and extent of that natural forest. For this reason, the
description of the natural forest is the plan’s first component and
includes a map showing the natural forest within the CENRO.
The map is complemented by a narrative description of the
location and extent of the natural forest.
2 2 The length of time into the future that is accounted for in the forest conservation area plan
Figure 1: The forest conservation area in the area of responsibility of the CENRO
3
To describe the location and extent of the natural forest, up-to-
date forest cover data is essential. The National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) provides such data
through its land cover maps. In addition, locally available data
can augment and further enhance the description of natural
forest coverage, in both the map and the narrative. As Figure 1
illustrates, the natural forest may be fragmented into several
areas within the CENRO’s area of responsibility. In this case, all
the fragments are subject to the plan.
The description of the natural forest includes its location in
relation to landmarks, the approximate size in hectares, and its
topography in terms of elevation range, slope, aspect, and other
unique features. When describing these elements, the level of
accuracy and detail depends on the features’ importance for
forest protection (e.g., it might be sufficient to describe that the
slope is steep rather than noting a certain value in percentage

or degrees). The following guidance questions help describe the
natural forest within the CENRO’s area:
1. Where within the CENRO’s area is the natural forest
located? Include names of villages, landmarks, or other
points of reference.
2. What are geographical features within the natural forest
(mountains, ridges, rivers etc.)?
3. What is the elevation range of the natural forest?
4. What are the slopes like in the natural forest (flat, rolling,
steep, etc.)?
5. What are other important features within the natural
forest (e.g., spring)?
6. What are other elements worth noting about the natural
4 forest (e.g., sacred site, special habitat)?
b. Describe the current forest condition
The current forest condition is the basis for defining conservation
objectives, conservation targets, and the desired future
forest condition. This condition also influences the required
management interventions and is the starting point for improving
or maintaining the natural forest. Therefore, it is crucial to assess
and describe the current condition of the natural forest within
the CENRO’s area of responsibility as accurately, but concisely,
as possible.
Local knowledge, generally possessed by CENRO staff, is
required to assess and describe the current condition. Additional
data about the forest, level of degradation, and changes in the
forest in recent years help to enhance the description. If no local
knowledge or data are available at the CENRO, an assessment
of the current condition needs to be carried out before drafting
the forest conservation area plan. Such assessment can be
accomplished by systematic transect walks, in which forest
condition and threats are recorded. Analysis of these records

provides a description of the current condition.
The current condition description includes forest formation
(Table 1); predominant tree species; and their distribution,
development stage, and mixture. Description of other vegetation
can also be included, if relevant for forest conservation (e.g.,
it might be worth mentioning that the area hosts rare orchids
or other endangered plants). Overall, the description of trees
and other species should provide a snapshot of relevant forest
vegetation rather than a complete inventory list. The description
can likewise include a summary of human interventions or
natural events that led to the current forest condition. These may
include forest protection efforts to improve the condition, slash-
and-burn activities, or natural calamities that deteriorated the
condition. 5
The description of the current condition should be spatially
explicit, since not all features are always homogeneously
distributed throughout an area. For example, degradation in one
part of the natural forest can be more severe than in another,
or some sections of the natural forest can be more frequently
subjected to slash-and-burn activities than others.
It is important that the description of the current condition is
comprehensible to a reader who has not been to the area. This also
allows any reader in the future to assess whether the condition
has positively or negatively changed over time.
The description of the current condition should answer the
following guidance questions:
1. What is the forest formation (e.g., Lowland Dipterocarp
Forest, Montane Forest, Ultramafic Forest)?

2. What are the predominant tree species in the forest? (No
need to list all known tree species.)
3. What is the extent of degradation in the natural forest? Is
it mainly intact, is it partly degraded, or are there distinct
areas where it is degraded or intact?
4. Are there current threats to the natural forest that are
frequently observed? If so, where in the forest do they
occur?
6
Table 1: Forest formations in the Philippines
Forest Formation Common species
Mangrove forests Bakauan (Rhizophora apiculata), Bakauan babai (R.

Mucronata), Pototan lalaki (Bruguiera cylindrica),
Busain (B. gymnorhiza), Langarai (B. parviflora),
Pototan (B. sexangula), Tangal ligasen (Ceriops
tagal), Malatangal (Ceriops zippeliana), Bungalon
(Avicennia marina), Api-api (A. officinalis), Pagatpat
(Sonneratia alba), Pedada (S. caseolaris)
Beach forests Botong (Barringtonia asiatica), Bitaog (Calophyllum

inophyllum), Talisai (Terminalia catappa), Niyog
(Cocos nucifera), Agoho (Casuarina equisetifolia)
Tropical lowland Lauan, Lauan-hagakhak, Yakal-lauan

evergreen forest
Tropical semi- White lauan (Shorea contorta), Apitong

evergreen forest (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus), Panau (Dipterocarpus
gracilis), Guijo (Shorea guiso) and Palosapis
(Anisoptera thurifera)

Tropical moist Molave (Vitex parviflora), Ipil (Intsia bijuga), Dungon
deciduous forest (Heriteria sylvatica), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus)
Tropical lower Tanguile (Shorea polysperma), species of oaks

montane forests (Lithocarpus), oil fruits (Elaeocarpus), laurels
(Litsea, Neolitsea), makaasim (Syzygium), shrubs of
Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae.
Tropical upper Malasulasi (Leptospermum flavescens), Igem

montane (Dacrycarpus imbricatus), Baltik (Syzygium
rainforests acrophilum), Mountain yew (Taxus sumatrana),
Balakauin (Neolitsea megacarpa)
7
Forest Formation Common species
Tropical subalpine Halcon igem (Podocarpus glaucus), Binaton

rainforests (Falcatifolium gruezoi), Dalung (Phyllocladus
hypophyllus), Cuming igem (Dacrycarpus cumingii),
Malasulasi (Leptospermum flavescens), Medinilla
cordata
Freshwater Yanipo (Terminalia copelandii), Sago (Metroxylon

swamp sagu)
Peat swamp Bayuno (Mangifera caesia), Kamandiis (Garcinia

forests rubra), Balat buaia (Fagraea racemosa)
Forest over Tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea), Ipil (Intsia bijuga),

limestone Akle (Albizia acle), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus),
Batete (Kingiodendron alternifolium), Molave (Vitex
parviflora), Taluto (Pterocymbium tinctorium),

Kalantas (Toona calantas), Bansalagin (Mimusops
elengi), Liusin (Maranthes corymbosa), Batulinau
(Diospyros ferrea), Bayok (Pterospermum
diversifolium), Tula-tula (Mallostus floribundus)
Forest over
ultramafic rocks
8
c. Define conservation objectives
To justify resource allocation for forest protection and get
support from stakeholders, first it is important to understand
why protecting the natural forest in the CENRO’s area of
responsibility is necessary. Clearly identified and described
conservation objectives answer that question as they define the
protection purpose.
Forest protection is usually driven by the need to protect forest
ecosystem services provided to the people living in and outside
the forest, and/or the habitat functions provided to wildlife. To
describe the conservation objectives, it is helpful to identify the
forest ecosystem services that people in the vicinity depend on and
the critically endangered species that live in the natural forest.
Conservation objectives need to be specific to the natural forest
within the CENRO’s area, rather than general statements about
the importance of forests at a global level. The description of the
conservation objective should answer the following guidance

questions:
1. What are the specific ecosystem services the natural
forest within the CENRO’s area of responsibility provides
and who benefits from these ecosystem services (water
for farmers, food for households, energy source for
industries, etc.)?
2. Which critically endangered species live in that natural
forest?
9
d. Establish conservation targets
Conservation targets are defined to achieve the conservation
objectives and, at the same time, to provide the measure of
success of their achievement. To do this, conservation targets
need to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-
bound. Most importantly, they should be directly linked to the
conservation objectives.
Conservation targets describe the needed changes in the forest
ecosystem (e.g., forest cover change) or desired population size
of species (e.g. population of Philippine Eagle). In some cases,
they can cover both ecosystem change and species population.
Conservation targets are defined based on the current rate of
those changes and numbers.
For example, conservation targets for the forest ecosystem can be

to reduce the current deforestation rate by a certain percentage.
Targets for species may include an increase in a population to
a certain number. In general, good baseline data are needed to
establish conservation targets. Setting realistic species-related
conservation targets requires knowledge of the species, its habitat
needs, and its population dynamics.
It is critical that the targets are in line with the conservation
objectives. For example, if the conservation objective is the
protection of a species dependent on an intact forest, conservation
targets need to be set to maintain or increase the proportion of
intact forest.
Conservation targets cover the total natural forest. Additionally,
more specific targets can be set for certain portions of the forest
that are particularly important to achieving the conservation
objective. For example, areas around springs might need to see a
complete stop in deforestation and forest degradation, while the
10 rest of the area might need to see a reduction in deforestation in
deforestation only (Figure 2).
Figure 2: General and location-specific conservation targets
General Conservation Targets Location-specific Conservation Targets

(next 5 years) (next 5 years)
1. Reduce current degradation
Stop deforestation around springs
rate by 50%
2. Increase
se Philippine Eagle Increase closed canopy forests
ation by 30%
population around Philippine Eagle nests by 5%
Closed Forest Open Forest
Forest

Forest
Forest
11
Answering the following guidance questions, as applicable, helps
establish the conservation targets:
1. What rate of forest cover change needs to be maintained,
minimized, halted, or reversed to meet the conservation
objectives?
2. What size of species population needs to be maintained
or achieved?
3. What are high priority areas that might require additional
targets due to their significance for the conservation
objectives (e.g., springs, remaining intact forests, nesting
sites)?
e. Describe the desired future forest condition

The desired future forest condition describes the state of the

natural forest within the CENRO’s area of responsibility after
successful implementation of Lawin protection measures3 over
the planning horizon. Evaluating the effectiveness of Lawin
protection measures is impossible without a defined desired
future forest condition. Essentially, the desired future forest
condition forms a core element of the forest conservation area
plan and the Lawin system as a whole because it constitutes the
outcome of effective forest protection (Figure 3).
When defining the desired future forest condition, it is necessary
to reflect on conservation targets and translate their results
into a desired state of the forest. Conservation targets and the
desired future forest condition need to match. For example, if the
conservation targets include a reduction in forest degradation by 10
percent—meaning the rate of degradation will slow down but not
stop—the desired forest condition cannot be a fully intact forest.
12 3 See Module 2 and 4 of this manual.

Recording forest condition during Lawin patrol4 and analyzing
trends in forest condition change,5 enable the CENRO to
measure progress toward the desired future condition. If data
analysis shows that achieving the desired future forest condition
is at risk, the CENRO can implement adaptive management
interventions to avoid jeopardizing conservation objectives (e.g.,
by intensifying responses to threats).
The desired future forest condition is described as a state and
answers the following guidance questions:
1. What ecosystem services and functions does the forest
deliver and who or what species benefits from them?
2. What does the natural forest look like in terms of forest
cover, layers, species, etc., in order to deliver these
services and functions?
4 See Module 2 of this manual.

5 See Module 2 of this manual. 13
Figure 3: The desired future forest condition of the forest conservation area
Current Desired
Closed Forest
Open Forest
Forest
Forest
Forest
14
f. Identify interventions
The necessary interventions can only be identified, after the
conservation objectives, targets, and the desired future forest
condition have been defined and described. Accordingly, the
interventions and involved actors are described at this point of
the plan.
Generally, these interventions are intended to achieve the
conservation objectives by working toward the conservation
targets. Successful implementation of the interventions closes
the gap between current condition and desired future forest
condition. These interventions include a) regular and frequent
patrolling including recording of forest conditions, indicator
species, and threats; b) responses to threats during patrols; c)
data analysis and generation of relevant information for decision-
making; and d) further response actions to address observed
threats based on information provided.
This set of interventions allows patrollers to immediately

address threats (if safe and possible). It provides up-to-date
information to the CENRO, supports the CENRO to implement
targeted and data-driven responses to threats, and enables the
CENRO to measure the level of achievement of conservation
targets and progress toward the desired future forest condition.
However, inadequate or uncoordinated implementation of these
interventions will fail to achieve desired future forest condition
and conservation targets. Therefore, the forest conservation area
plan spells out detailed Lawin interventions, their timing and
frequency, and roles and responsibilities among CENRO staff
and stakeholders for coordinated implementation.
Each intervention needs to clearly relate to the desired future
forest condition. Foremost is avoiding listing activities that do not
contribute to achieving that condition. It is helpful to structure the
15
identified interventions in a matrix that includes a corresponding
budget and other resources needed for the respective activities.
The following guidance questions help organize the description of
interventions:
1. Which interventions need to be carried out to achieve
the desired future forest condition?
2. How does each of these interventions contribute to
achieving the desired future forest condition?
3. Who will carry out these interventions? When and how
frequently?
4. What are the (financial) resources needed and where
will they come from?
g. Identify organizational collaboration and

institutional arrangements
The CENROs are encouraged to engage other stakeholders, such as
local government units (LGU), non-governmental organizations
(NGO), people’s organizations (PO), and private sector partners,
in implementing Lawin. Particularly patrolling and responding to
threats greatly benefit from collaborative efforts. In many instances,
LGUs, NGOs, POs, and private corporations are already pursuing
forest protection activities. In such cases, proper coordination and
alignment of activities ensure their efforts contribute to reaching
conservation targets and achieving the desired future forest
condition. The CENRO discusses the responsibilities and potential
contributions of other stakeholders to Lawin implementation;
upon agreement, the CENRO writes these responsibilities into the
forest conservation area plan. It is helpful if the CENRO provides
a copy of the approved forest conservation area plan to involved
16 stakeholders for their reference. The following guidance questions
help determine the level and type of collaboration of the CENRO
with other stakeholders in implementing Lawin:
1. What are other organizations and institutions that
can contribute to reaching conservation targets and
achieving desired future forest condition of the natural
forest within the CENRO’s area?
2. What are the specific roles and resources of the
organizations and institutions?
3. What are the arrangements with the CENRO to
complement efforts?
5. Forest Conservation Area Plan

Preparation
In consultation with relevant stakeholders, designated CENRO
staff draft the forest conservation area plan using the template
in Annex 1. The plan should be straightforward, answering the

guidance questions in simple sentences. Information irrelevant
to protecting the forest in the CENRO’s area should not be
included. This will keep the plan concise and specific.
The template follows the order of topics as described in this
manual. It includes the guidance questions, as well as an example
paragraph per topic. Each question should be answered in one to
two full sentences. The guidance questions, sample paragraphs,
and instructions should be deleted after drafting the plan.
Once the draft plan is completed, the CENRO reviews the plan
and either approves and submits it to the PENRO or requests any
needed revisions.
17
ANNEX: Forest Conservation Area
Plan Template
General Note:
This forest conservation area plan covers the actual natural forest
within public land in the area of responsibility of the Lawin
implementer, regardless of the tenurial instrument that governs
it. Other areas, such as tree plantations or reforestation areas,
need separate plans since their management objectives and
strategies differ from that of natural forest protection.
Recommended approach for the completion of

this plan:
1. Answer the guidance questions.

2. Once all questions are answered, delete all guidance
questions and notes.
3. Form the answers into full sentences and concise
paragraphs per section to achieve a readable narrative.
18
Forest Conservation Area Plan for the Natural
Forest of __________________________________
Map showing the CENRO forest conservation area
General Data
Location: LGUs where the natural forest is located
Size of natural forest area: X hectares
Resource manager: CENRO/Protected Area Superintendent (PASu)
(and indigenous people (IP) groups, LGU-
offices etc. if applicable)
Data manager:
Patrol organizer(s):
Number of patrollers:
19
Area Description
Guidance Questions (to be answered one by one):
1. Where within the CENRO’s area is the natural forest located?

Include names of villages, landmarks, or other points of reference.
2. What are geographical features within the natural forest
(mountains, ridges, rivers, etc.)?
3. What is the elevation range of the natural forest?
4. What are the slopes like in the natural forest (flat, rolling, steep,
etc.)?
5. What are other important features within the natural forest (e.g.,
spring)?
6. What are other elements worth noting about the natural forest
(e.g., sacred site, special habitat)?
Example for this section:
The natural forest in CENRO Sta Rita is located at the northern flanks
of Mt. Bukid in the Barangays Quezon, Rizal, and Palampas. It reaches
from the ridge of the Kalayan mountain range in the south to the
rolling hills of barangay Palampas in the north and is bounded by the
Ando-on River. The elevation ranges from 111 m asl in the north to
1543 m asl in the south. Generally, the slopes of the natural forest
are very steep. In the western portion, near the spring of the Bago
river, there is a big cave. There is a waterfall in the upper portion of
the forest in barangay Rizal. The forest has several nesting sites of
the Philippine Eagle. Previously, the natural forest area belonged to
the logging concession of ILCO.
20
Current Forest Condition
1. What is the forest formation (e.g., tropical lowland evergreen

forest, tropical lower montane forest, forest over limestone)?
2. What are the predominant tree species in the forest? No need to
list all known tree species.
3. What is the extent of degradation in the natural forest? Is it mainly
intact, is it partly degraded, or are there distinct areas where it is
degraded or intact?
4. Are there current threats to the natural forest that are frequently
observed? If so, where in the forest do they occur?
The natural forest in the CENRO Sta Rita consists of tropical semi-
evergreen forest in the lower portion and reaches up to the tropical
lower montane forest near the peak of Mt. Masaraga. The forest
is dominated by Red Lauan, Tangile, and Narra. There are some
exceptionally large Almaciga trees in the eastern portion. The forest

cover of the natural forest is generally open, with some intact
portions in the north near the spring of the Bago river. In intact
areas, the forest is dense with multiple layers of trees of various
ages. In open areas, which have been left undisturbed for several
years, abundant natural regeneration particularly of pioneer species
is observed.
The forest cover is particularly degraded in the lower portions near

the Andoon river, where continuous extraction of wood products
for charcoal, timber, and other uses is observed. Here, the forest has
reached an alarming rate of degradation.
21
Conservation objectives
Note:
For formulating the conservation objectives, focus on the benefits,

which the natural forest provides to the constituents of the
surrounding areas. In addition, critically endangered species living
in this forest, which benefit from protecting it, also constitute a
conservation objective.
With the above in mind, answer the following Guidance Questions

one by one:
1. What are the specific ecosystem services the natural forest

within the CENRO’s area of responsibility provides? Who benefits
from these ecosystem services (e.g., water for farmers, food for
households, energy source for industries)?
2. Which critically endangered species live in that natural forest?
The natural forest in the CENRO Sta Rita needs to be protected to

ensure a) irrigation to the rice fields in barangay Rizal; b) provision
of sufficient water to the level 3 water system of LGU Sta. Rita;
c) sustainable livelihood from Almaciga resin collection for the
communities of Barangay Palampas; and d) hosting of a viable
population of the Luzon Bleeding Heart Pigeon.
22
Conservation targets
1. What rate of forest cover change needs to be maintained,

minimized, halted, or reversed to meet the conservation
objectives?
2. What size of species population needs to be maintained or
achieved?
3. What are high priority areas that might require additional targets
due to their significance for the conservation objectives (e.g.,
springs, remaining intact forests, nesting sites)?
To meet the conservation objectives, forest loss will be reduced

by 20 percent within the next five years, to mitigate the risk of
water supply shortage for irrigation and domestic use. Incidents of
charcoal-making and utilization of forest products will be reduced
by 70 percent to reduce degradation, covering 500 hectares in the
lower portion of the natural forest near the Andoon river. This aims
to contribute to the recovery of the Almaciga population. To provide

a better habitat for the Luzon Bleeding Heart, the percentage of
closed canopy forest will increase by 10 percent within the next
10 years. The population of the Luzon Bleeding Heart has reached
viability with 50 individuals per km2 by 2020.
23
Desired Future Forest Condition
Guidance Questions:
1. What ecosystem services and functions does the forest deliver

and who or what species benefits from them?
2. What does the natural forest look like in terms of forest cover,
layers, species, etc., in order to deliver these services and
functions?
The forest has good infiltration and water-retention capacities,

resulting in springs delivering water of potable quality for irrigation
and domestic use throughout the year. A total 500 meters around
springs, the forest features closed canopy. In addition, in more than
50 percent of the total area, the forest has closed canopy and is multi-
layered. The predominant species consist of Dipterorocarp species

in closed portions and pioneer species in open canopy portions.
Natural regeneration particularly of Almaciga is dense, especially in
formerly degraded portions of the forest. Ferns and other understory
vegetation required by the Luzon Bleeding Heart are abundant in a
sufficiently large portion of the forest.
24
Management Interventions and Responsibilities
Guidance questions (to be answered per intervention identified):
1. Which interventions need to be carried out to achieve the desired

future forest condition?
2. How does each of these interventions contribute to achieving the
desired future forest condition?
3. Who will carry out these interventions? When and how frequently?
4. What are the (financial) resources needed and where will they
come from?
To reduce degradation and the incidents of charcoal-making in the

natural forest, the Lawin forest and biodiversity protection system
will be implemented starting in June 2016. From then on, regular –
at least weekly – patrolling shall be carried out following a specific
patrol plan by teams of forest rangers, particularly in areas that have
experienced degradation through utilization of forest products in
recent years. The patrolling is carried out to reduce and monitor

the number of charcoal-making and tree-cutting incidents and
other threats that result in forest degradation. The patrol plan will
be developed by the CENRO together with the forest rangers in
May 2016 and updated on a quarterly basis. The forest rangers are
organized in patrol teams consisting of four members each and are
deployed in specific patrol sectors. The patrol plan ensures sufficient
patrol coverage of the natural forest over time.
Data collected by the patrol teams will be analyzed by the designated

forest technician of the CENRO immediately after submission.
Analyzed observation records including statistics and maps of
threats, forest condition, and indicator species will be presented to
the CENRO the latest on the following day. The CENRO immediately
decides which responses are to be implemented to address observed
threats. Trends of indicator species, forest condition, and threats are
assessed quarterly against the conservation targets to measure the
level of achievement of the conservation targets and adjust strategies
such as intensity patrolling and responses if necessary.
25
Data collected by the patrol teams will be analyzed by the designated
forest technician of the CENRO immediately after submission.
Analyzed observation records including statistics and maps of
threats, forest condition, and indicator species will be presented to
the CENRO the latest on the following day. The CENRO immediately
decides which responses are to be implemented to address observed
threats. Trends of indicator species, forest condition, and threats are
assessed quarterly against the conservation targets to measure the
level of achievement of the conservation targets and adjust strategies
such as intensity patrolling and responses if necessary.
The following table provides an overview of the above described

interventions, the corresponding resources required, and the source:
26
Table 1: SAMPLE table of interventions
Timeframe/ Required resources

Intervention Responsible Amount (Php) Source
frequency per year
Patrolling June 2016 Forest rangers Salaries and 500,000 CENRO budget,
onwards, allowances, food, LGU MENRO
bimonthly per equipment fund
team
Data June 2016 Forest — — —

management onwards, technician
whenever patrol
data are available
and reports are
needed
Data review and — —

response
Etc.
27
Implementation arrangements
Note:
In some areas and situations, other institutions and organizations
may implement some interventions that are elaborated above. If
such is the case, then the arrangement necessary to achieve best
possible coordination and complementation of efforts needs to be
described here.
Guidance Questions:
1. What are other organizations and institutions that can contribute

to reaching conservation targets and achieving desired future
forest condition of the natural forest within the CENRO’s area?
2. What are the specific roles and resources of the organizations and
institutions?
3. What are the arrangements with the CENRO to complement

efforts?
The MENRO of LGU Sta Rita employs 50 forest guards. To achieve

greater patrol coverage, these forest guards augment the teams
of forest rangers and are considered during patrol planning. The
MENRO also provides capacity in data management, and data are
shared with this office after each patrol. The CENRO coordinates
necessary responses to forest threats with the CENRO.
28
The Philippine Forest Protection Association (PFPA), an NGO
operating in the area, is conducting information, education, and
communication (IEC) campaigns and is tapped for orienting and
educating upland communities about the effects of charcoal-making
on the natural forest. The CENRO meets quarterly with the executive
director of PFPA and discusses the findings of the patrolling, which
are used by PFPA to design targeted IEC campaigns as responses to
threats. Portions of the natural forests form part of the Certificate of
Ancestral Domain Title of the Tambubu tribe. The indigenous people
(IP) will be involved in the different aspects of Lawin, particularly
patrolling and response to threats. Therefore, the CENRO will meet
quarterly with the IP elders to discuss and plan interventions that will
contribute to achieving the conservation objectives.
29
Forest Conservation Area Planning

Purpose-driven Patrolling
Data Management
Response
For more information, please contact:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, 1101, Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 928-9313 http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/
MODULE 2
Purpose-driven
Patrolling
Module 2: Purpose-driven Patrolling
A
Editorial Team:
Dr. Efrain Laureano
Ms. Denise Felix
Ms. Wynne Mancini
Writers:
Dr. Felix Gaschick
Manual. Module 2: Purpose-driven Patrolling.

MODULE 2
Purpose-driven
Patrolling
Preface

ii

Protection System:

area plan
iii
Acronyms
Office
Natural Resources

Office
PO People’s Organization
SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool
iv
Contents
Preface........................................................................... ii
Acronyms...................................................................... iv
Messages....................................................................... vi
1. Introduction................................................................1
2. Roles and responsibilities.............................................1
3. Patrol Planning............................................................2
3.1 Planning horizon and scope..................................2
3.2 Steps in setting up the planning framework..........2
3.3. Steps in formulating the patrol plan ..................12
4. Patrol preparation.....................................................16

4.1. Understand the patrol route..............................16
4.2. Prepare patrol provisions and equipment...........16
4.3. Coordinate patrol..............................................18
5. Patrol implementation.18
5.1. Track patrol........................................................18
5.2. Respond to threats and record observations.......20
6. Patrol evaluation.......................................................26
Annex: Patrol Planning and Patrol Plan Templates..........29 v
Messages


Lawrence Hardy II Module 2: Purpose-driven Patrolling

vii
Messages


viii

DENR Secretary
ix
1. Introduction
Regular conduct of forest patrols is a key element of the
Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System. Patrolling
takes place in the forest conservation area of the CENRO1
and aims to effectively address threats and accurately record
observations. Therefore, patrols need to be planned based the
forest conservation area plan and conducted by skilled patrol
teams to ensure achieving conservation objectives and targets.
A patrol framework and patrol plans are prepared, which
detail how patrols are implemented, organize the conservation
area into patrol sectors, and set up patrollers into teams. The
patrol framework and plans facilitate fund allocation and staff
mobilization for patrol implementation throughout the year in
line with the CENRO’s work and financial plan. Regular patrol
evaluations assess achievement of patrol targets and objectives
and informs patrol planning to ensure effectiveness of forest
protection.
2. Roles and responsibilities

Patrolling is conducted by patrol teams of the CENRO. Each
patrol team member has a specific role and responsibilities. The
roles and responsibilities of the team members are discussed in
detail in section 3.2.3.
During patrol planning, the patrol organizer, patrol leaders, and
staff of the Enforcement Unit prepare the framework and plans
for approval by the CENRO. In addition, the patrol organizers
are responsible for coordinating with other stakeholders
interested in supporting regular patrols and for integrating these
stakeholders into the framework and plans.
1 This effort also includes the implementing PENRO. 1

The CENRO leads the regular evaluation of patrol performance.
The PENRO supports the CENRO’s patrolling activities by
monitoring patrol plan implementation and recommending any
necessary adjustments. The regional office monitors patrol plan
implementation in the region and coordinates with the national
DENR on technical and financial support needed to ensure
continuous implementation of patrol plans. The national DENR
monitors patrol implementation in the country and coordinates
with the respective regions on any needed technical support.
3. Patrol Planning
3.1 Planning horizon and scope
Patrol planning consists of two main parts: the planning

framework and the plan. Updated annually, the planning
framework for a forest conservation area covers defining patrol
sectors, composing patrol teams, assigning members of patrol
teams, and setting patrol targets. Formulated quarterly, the
patrol plan presents the patrol purpose, routes, schedules, and
target distance per team.
3.2 Steps in setting up the planning framework

The patrol planning framework is a document that builds on
the forest conservation area plan2 to ensure patrolling is done
in line with conservation objectives and targets and is aimed at
protecting the forest. The framework outlines the conservation
targets, the patrol sectors of the conservation area, and the
organization of forest rangers into patrol teams. Compiled in the
planning framework document, this information forms the basis
for quarterly patrol planning.
2
2 See Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning.
The planning framework includes the following:
■■ A map of the forest conservation area showing focus
areas for patrolling and patrol sectors
■■ A matrix of patrol teams and their members, with
specific patrol sector assignments
■■ Enumeration of patrol targets
3.2.1. Review conservation targets

The first step in creating the patrol plan is to review the
conservation targets. This step is critical to ensure patrolling
helps achieve the conservation objectives established in the forest
conservation area plan. It includes identifying areas where patrol
activities should focus. Depending on the conservation targets,
these areas could be sites of value and concern such as degraded
forest, intact forest, springs, and nesting sites (Figure 1).
3
Figure 1: Focus areas for protection based on conservation targets
Closed Forest
Open Forest
Focus areas for protection
Forest
Forest
Forest
4
3.2.2. Divide forest conservation area into patrol
sectors
It is important that patrols cover the entire forest conservation
area. This means dividing the area into patrol sectors and
assigning areas of responsibility for them. A patrol sector is an
area of responsibility for a patrol team. The forest conservation
area is divided into patrol sectors based on four parameters:
focus areas identified, total size of the forest conservation area,
accessibility, and number of patrollers of the CENRO.
The forest conservation area map is used to divide the area into
patrol sectors. These patrol sectors should be based on natural
divides such as rivers, creeks, mountains, cliffs, and other
landmarks, or on administrative boundaries (e.g., barangays).
The size of the patrol sectors can vary depending on the required
patrol intensity to achieve the conservation targets, accessibility,
and terrain (Figure 2). On average, patrol sectors should have a
size of 4,000 hectares. For example, a forest conservation area of
80,000 hectares would be divided into 20 patrol sectors; for some
CENROs, this could require mobilizing additional patrollers to
have a sufficient number of patrol teams.
5
Figure 2: Patrol sectors
Closed Forest
Open Forest
Forest
Forest
For
Fo estt
Forest
Patrol Sector 1
Patrol Sector 2
Patrol Sector 3
Patrol Sector 4
6
3.2.3. Assign patrol teams to patrol sectors
Each patrol sector has an assigned patrol team consisting of four
people with specific roles, knowledge, and skills (Table 1). Patrol
team members can come from the DENR, LGUs, POs, NGOs,
and other organizations. The CENROs are encouraged to explore
partnerships with these institutions to augment the institutional
capacity of the DENR for conducting patrols and to ensure each
patrol sector has an assigned patrol team. If possible, over time
patrol teams and their sector assignment should change to help
maintain objectivity and reduce security risks for patrollers.
Since patrol teams carry out environmental law enforcement
responsibilities, at least one team member serves as an
apprehending officer whenever an illegal activity is observed. This
team member must be a DENR forest ranger, while the remaining
team members can be partner patrollers. In this case, the DENR
forest ranger also automatically serves as the patrol leader. The
names of all patrollers, regardless of the organization to which
they belong, need to be entered into the Spatial Monitoring and
Reporting Tool (SMART) database.3
3 See Module 3: Data Management. 7

Table 1. The roles and required knowledge and skills of patrol team members
Name Role Knowledge and skills required
Patrol ■■ Ensures planned ■■ Knowledge of the contents of

leader patrol routes are the forest conservation area
followed and patrol plan and the patrol plans
targets are met ■■ Up-to-date knowledge about
■■ Upon consultation the situation in the forest
with the team, conservation area (weather,
decides on actions security, cellphone signal
to be taken by the sites, nearest community
team on observed for first aid) and relevant
threats environmental laws
■■ For observed ■■ Leadership and decision-
violations, serves as making skills
the apprehending
■■ Physically fit
officer during and
after the patrol
■■ Represents the
patrol team during
patrol planning
Spotter ■■ Alerts the team ■■ Ability to identify threats,

of threats and forest condition, signs of forest
indicator species regeneration, and indicator
along the patrol species (through direct or
route whenever indirect observations)
they are observed ■■ Familiarity with the area to be
■■ With the team, able to observe changes over
assesses forest time
condition every ■■ Physically fit
100 meters or 15
minutes, whichever
comes first
8
Name Role Knowledge and skills required
Guide ■■ Identifies the safest ■■ Familiarity with the patrol area

path for the chosen (e.g., terrain)
patrol route and ■■ Up-to-date knowledge of the
leads the team security situation (e.g., wildlife
accordingly traps, military operations,
■■ If the team stays insurgency activities)
overnight in the ■■ Ability to plan and anticipate
forest, ensures the patrol duration, food, water,
team’s food, water, and shelter requirements for
and shelter needs extended stays
are met
Recorder ■■ Ensures the ■■ Knowledge of how to use a

recording device smartphone or tablet
is functional and ■■ Ability to operate the
charged before the CyberTracker app
patrol starts
■■ Using CyberTracker
installed on the
smartphone or
tablet, records

patrol start and end
and all observations
made by the spotter
■■ Reminds team
to record forest
condition every
100 meters or 15
minutes, whichever
comes first
9
3.2.4. Set Patrol Targets
To set patrol targets, three parameters need to be considered:
distance, coverage, and intensity. While the target distance is
predefined, coverage (area where patrols pass) and intensity
(patrol frequency in a certain area) are variables that need planning
to achieve the conversation target. While coverage should be as
broad as possible, areas of concern require higher patrol intensity.
To achieve the best possible patrol coverage of the conservation
area, with high intensity in critical areas, the patrol must make
the best use of the given target distance. The current minimum
target distance per patrol team is 10 kilometers. However, this
distance can be exceeded if achieving the conservation targets
requires higher patrol coverage and intensity.
Patrol coverage and intensity can be estimated and planned using
grids of the same size. Using finer grids achieves better planning
results. If a planned patrol passes a cell, this cell is considered
covered. To achieve broader patrol coverage, planned patrols
need to pass as many cells as possible. To achieve high intensity,
planned patrols need to pass one cell several times (Figures 3a
and 3b). Coverage and intensity analysis of previous patrols can
help in determining the best future patrol routes to ensure broad
patrol reach with focus on areas that matter. In data analysis,
SMART also uses grids to show patrol coverage and intensity in
a forest conservation area.4
10
4 See Module 3: Data Management
Figure 3a: Using grids to estimate patrol coverage
Closed Forest
Open Forest
Patrol
Pat
trol route
ro
Grid
d cell
S/E Start/end of patrol

Patrol Sector 1
Patrol Sector 2
Patrol Sector 3
Pa
P
Patr
Patrol
atrol
trol
trol Sector
Secto
ector 4
ec
E
Patrol Sector 4
The forest conservation area is divided into grid cells.

Patrol pass over grids within the patrol sector. If a patrol
passes a grid-cell, the latter is considered covered.
11
Figure 3b: Using grids to estimate patrol intensity
Closed Forest Patrol route S/E Start/end of patrol
Open Forest Grid cell
S3 S4
E1
S5
E4
S2
S1
E3 E5 E2
Multiple patrols can overlap grids within the patrol

sector. The more often a grid cell is passed, the higher
the patrol intensity.
3.3. Steps in formulating the patrol plan

Based on the patrol planning framework, the patrol plan is
developed at a minimum quarterly, as cited above. The plan’s
implementation is closely monitored by analyzing patrol data after
each patrol. If data analysis5 shows new realities on the ground, the
patrol plan must be reviewed and the patrol frequency and location
adjusted accordingly (e.g., requiring more intense patrolling in
12 5 See Module 3: Data Management.
a certain area). In this way, a patrol plan is a management tool
that helps the CENRO to organize available staff for patrolling
in terms of time, location, and required resources. The plan aims
to achieve sufficient patrol coverage, target distance, and timely
response to threats. It also takes in account other tasks of patrollers
for a balanced workload. Importantly, while a patrol plan helps in
coordinating patrol efforts of different agencies, its content should
be kept confidential as patrol times and locations are sensitive
information that may hamper effective patrolling if publicly shared.
A patrol plan is developed for the entire forest conservation area
and includes the following:
■■ A map of the forest conservation area showing the patrol
sectors to illustrate planned patrol routes
■■ A matrix of patrol purpose, routes, teams, schedules,
and target distance per team
3.3.1. Determine patrol routes

Patrol routes are predefined paths where patrollers should
pass to monitor forest conditions and address potential threats
(Figure 4). The routes are determined depending on purpose,
focus areas, and conservation targets.
As the chief purpose of patrols is to identify and address threats,
patrolling is threat-focused and primarily addresses and records
all threats to the natural forests observed and action taken
along the patrol route. Additionally, indicators species, forest
regeneration, and forest condition are recorded. Threats-focused
patrolling should be done at least once a week per patrol sector.
There are also patrols that focus on recording indicator species
to provide another means to measure the level of achievement
of conservation targets and desired future forest condition.
13
Indicator species-focused patrolling should be done at least
quarterly per patrol sector and requires patrol members who can
identify indicator species directly and indirectly. Threats, forest
regeneration, and forest condition are also recorded and threats
are addressed.
To achieve best possible patrol coverage and the right level
of intensity, threat-focused patrol routes should be evenly
distributed across the conservation area, with higher density
in focus areas as identified in the patrol planning framework.
Indicator species-focused patrol routes should be evenly
distributed throughout the forest conservation area. Existing
transects of the Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) inside
the forest conservation area can be used as routes for indicator
species-focused patrolling.
Given the above, the primary consideration in allocating routes

is patrol purpose, not accessibility of the patrol route. If a patrol
route is difficult to access, sufficient time needs to be allocated in
the patrol plan.
Patrol teams can generally cover a 2 to 4 kilometers a day,
depending on the terrain and assuming the patrol does not need
to be aborted to apprehend a person or forest products. The
apprehension and response protocols are discussed in Module 4.
Patrol routes start within the forest conservation area and not at
the CENRO or ranger station.
With these considerations, the patrol organizer, patrol team
leaders, and representatives from other stakeholders sketch
out the patrol routes for the planning period. They may sketch
out the route on a hard copy of the map that shows the focus
areas and patrol sectors or on a digital version using available
GIS software.
14
Figure 4: Example of a planned patrol route
Closed Forest
Open Forest
Patrol route
ro
Grid cell
3.3.2. Team assignment and scheduling

The identified patrol routes are assigned to the team responsible
for the respective patrol sectors. For the completion of the
patrol routes, the team leaders define schedules so that they
are evenly distributed throughout the planning period. The
schedules need to consider the other workload of the patrollers.
When scheduling patrols, regular patterns should be avoided
(e.g., every Tuesday) to maintain the element of surprise. In
this way, scheduling avoids easy-to-predict patrols that would
give violators an advantage. Patrol schedules should also cover
weekends and non-regular office hours, such as nighttime, when
illegal activities would most likely be committed.
15
Threats-focused patrols can be carried out any time of day,
whenever it is safe to conduct them. On the other hand, indicator
species-focused patrols should be done when wildlife is most
active, usually from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., though
this may vary by species.
4. Patrol preparation
Successfully conducted patrols require proper preparation. The
patrol team needs to have prior understanding of the patrol
route, bring sufficient provisions and required documents, and
have functioning equipment. Prior coordination with other
authorities is also necessary.
4.1. Understand the patrol route

The patrol leader discusses the upcoming patrol route with

the team to establish a common understanding of its specific
features. This includes the administrative jurisdiction in which
the patrol route falls, the terrain, potential hot spots, and security
hazards. Likewise, the patrol team needs to be aware of protected
area boundaries, ancestral domains, and/or other tenured areas.
For security purposes and to implement responses to threats,
cellphone signal coverage and/or other means of communication
in the area need to be known as well.
4.2. Prepare patrol provisions and equipment

Each patrol team member has specific responsibilities for
ensuring the team can carry out the patrol work in a safe and
productive manner:
16
■■ The team leader brings at least one first aid kit; a list of
relevant telephone numbers; necessary forms;6 and a
charged two-way radio, particularly for areas without
cellphone signal, if available.
■■ The recorder brings a fully charged smartphone or
tablet with the latest CyberTracker app installed for
proper recording of observations, a fully charged power
bank so that gadgets can be charged during the patrol
if necessary, and water-proof pouches for the gadgets if
available. In addition, the recorder ensures that at least
one other team member brings another functioning
gadget with the same CyberTracker app for backup.
■■ The spotter brings a pair of binoculars for observing
distant threats and identifying indicator species.
Each patrol member needs to bring sufficient food and water
for their needs during the patrols. Particularly important, the
patrol team members need to stay properly hydrated. A day-long
patrol requires at least 3 liters of water per person. If there are no
potable water sources along the route for refilling, each member
should bring this quantity in bottles or in a container. Likewise,

each patrol member needs to wear appropriate footwear and
comfortable yet protective clothing suited for the prevailing
weather conditions. This might require bringing a raincoat.
DENR patrollers should wear their provided DENR vest and hat
for easy identification as persons of authority.
For multi-day patrols, the patrol team guide ensures that the team
members bring food, water, shelter, and cooking equipment in
sufficient quantities for overnight stays.
6 See Module 4: Responses. 17

4.3. Coordinate patrol
The team leader coordinates with the LGUs and authorities that
have jurisdiction over the area of the patrol route’s location. This
includes informing them about the path of the patrol route, the
approximate schedule, and the patrol team members’ names.
In addition, the team leader discusses with them the need for
backup in case of apprehensions or other responses to observed
threats. The team leader also seeks other relevant information,
particularly security-related information from the LGUs and
authorities to ensure safe passage. It should be stressed that
patrol information needs to be kept confidential to a small
group of people, so that violators are not forewarned. Once the
coordination work is completed, the team leader informs the
head of the Enforcement Unit.
5. Patrol implementation
The patrol team meets on the appointed time on the day of the
planned patrol and goes through the patrol checklist to ensure
the patrol can be conducted successfully. The team then proceeds
to the start of the patrol route in the forest conservation area and
begins the patrol. The patrol guide decides on the best path to take
along the planned patrol route and directs the team accordingly.
5.1. Track patrol

At the starting point of the patrol route in the forest conservation
area, the recorder presses “Start Patrol” on the CyberTracker
app and enters the names of all joining patrol members and the
name of the patrol leader. The team ensures the information
entered is complete and correct. Of note, incomplete patrol team
information will result in unrecorded distance for the patrol
members whose names are not entered.
18
The automated patrol distance and route tracking of CyberTracker
starts once “Start Patrol” has been tapped at the starting point
of the patrol. Patrol distance tracking ends by pressing the “End
Patrol” button in the CyberTracker.
Patrols are terminated either at the planned endpoint of the patrol
route, or at any point where the patrol needs to be aborted due
to apprehension or other responses to threats or for any other
reasons. The recorder needs to make sure the patrol distance
tracking is properly completed by pressing the “End Patrol”
button. Importantly, not pressing the “End Patrol” button at the
point of patrol termination will result in faulty data, which may
result in the patrol not being counted toward the target patrol
distance of the patrol team (Figures 5a and 5b).
Figure 5a: Proper recording of start and end points of patrols
Start and end points are

within planned patrol

START routes inside the
designated patrol sector.
START
END
END
END
START
Patrol can be ended due to

apprehension or other responses
to threats or any other reason 19
Figure 5b: Incorrect recording of start and end points of patrols
END
Patrol paused and not

START resumed/ended when
responding to threat.
PAUSED
START
END
START
Patrol started and ended at
Patrol started/ended the same point by retracing
outside the forest same route going back.
5.2. Respond to threats and record observations

The main purpose of patrols is to detect and respond to threats
so that the forest is well-protected and can naturally regenerate
and that conservation objectives and targets are achieved.
Therefore, it is important that threats are responded to and not
just recorded. Additionally, patrols provide an opportunity to
record forest condition and indicator species for determining
and monitoring the state of the forest.
5.2.1. Respond to threats

Threats are the human activities or processes that have caused
20 or are causing destruction and degradation of the natural forests
and their biodiversity. Natural phenomena such as typhoons
or landslides that can destroy or degrade natural forest are also
considered threats.
Lawin focuses on reducing the occurrence of the following 16
common threats to the forest in the Philippines.
1. Cutting of trees
2. Slash-and-burn farming
3. Hut, house, and other infrastructures
4. Annual and perennial farming
5. Collection of non-timber forest products
6. Charcoal production
7. Hunting
8. Mining and quarrying
9. Logging trail
10. Garbage
11. Livestock and poultry farming
12. Fire
13. Pest and diseases Module 2: Purpose-driven Patrolling
14. Invasive species
15. Landslide and mudslide
16. Typhoon damage
Threats are responded to and recorded whenever and wherever
they are observed along the patrol route. The patrollers respond to
them based on the protocols for each identified threat described
in Module 4. These protocols consider safety and legal aspects
and spell out the procedures that patrollers need to follow. If the
person(s) responsible for the threat is present and it is deemed safe 21
to approach, the recorder presses “Pause Patrol” in CyberTracker
and the team then assesses the situation. If the person(s) is found
to be violating environmental laws, the designated apprehending
officer initiates apprehension. In this case, the patrol leader aborts
the patrol. The recorder then presses “Resume Patrol,” records
the observation and action taken and presses “End Patrol” in
CyberTracker to record the endpoint of the patrol. If apprehension
is not possible or necessary, the recorder presses “Resume Patrol”
and records the threat and action taken. The patrol continues.
5.2.2. Record threats

Each threat is recorded individually by entering all the details of
the threat and action taken. The recorder presses “Save as New
Waypoint” at the location of the threat to create a record with a
waypoint. Even if several threats are observed close to each other,
each threat is still recorded with a separate waypoint.

Threats observed at a distance that is inaccessible should be
recorded from the closest possible point along the patrol route.
In this case, the recorder estimates the distance in meters from
the point of observation to the location of the threat and enters
this figure in the CyberTracker app.
The patrol team must record the action taken on each observed
threat. The actions that can be recorded are:
■■ Documented only
■■ Warning given
■■ Education
■■ Apprehended
■■ Collected
■■ Dismantled or destroyed
22
■■ Arrest made
■■ Unsuccessful pursuit
The level of follow-up action required to address the threat is
also recorded (Table 1).
Table 1. Levels of follow-up actions and their definitions
Levels Definition
Emergency Requires immediate action
Level 1 Requires action within a week
Level 2 Requires action within a month
Level 3 No action required
5.2.3. Record forest condition

Forest condition is recorded every 100 meters or every 15
minutes of walking, whichever comes first. It is also recorded
whenever the forest condition changes, for example, from early

secondary growth forest to an open, uncultivated area. The
recorder presses “Save as New Waypoint” at the location of the
observed forest condition to create a record with a waypoint.
Additionally, forest condition is also recorded whenever a threat
or indicator species is observed and recorded. In these cases, the
recorder presses “Add to Last Waypoint” after adding the details
of the forest condition. This associates forest condition with the
waypoints of the threat or indicator species. Observations of
forest condition can potentially be used to validate forest cover
maps generated from satellite images. Therefore, patrollers need
to accurately assess and record the forest condition. The different
forest conditions are described in Table 2.
23
Table 2. The five types of forest condition and their definitions
Forest condition Definition
Old growth forest Forests with predominantly large and very large
trees (more than 50-centimeter diameter at breast
height (dbh) and more than 30 meters in height),
without significant disturbance
Advanced Forests that were previously disturbed and show an

secondary growth advance level of recovery, which have a less dense
forest understory (a layer of vegetation under the main
forest canopy) and are dominated by medium to
large trees (above 30- to 55-centimeter dbh and
about 30 meters in height)
Early secondary Areas of newly regenerating forest after

growth forest disturbance, dominated by saplings and other small
to medium-size trees (up to 30-centimeter dbh and

up to 25 meters in height)
Open, uncultivated Areas with abandoned farmland, grasslands, and

area brushlands
Open, cultivated Areas with farmland, agricultural plots, and small

area orchards with fruit trees
The presence of natural regeneration is recorded alongside the

forest condition. Natural regeneration refers to tree wildlings
with a height of at most 1.5 meters that naturally grow near the
observation point. The natural regeneration is recorded in four
categories: dense, moderate, sparse, and none (Table 3).
While the understory growth might be very dense, there could
be only a few tree wildlings among it. The patrol team must not
be misled by the dense understory growth, but needs to focus
on forest tree wildlings and record the natural regeneration
24 category accordingly.
Table 3. The four categories of natural regeneration and their definitions
Category Definition
Dense 80 to 100 forest tree wildlings within a 5-meter radius
Moderate 40 to 80 forest tree wildlings within a 5-meter radius
Sparse Less than 40 forest tree wildlings within a 5-meter radius
None No presence of forest tree wildlings
5.2.4. Record indicator species

An indicator species is an organism whose presence, absence, or
abundance reflects a specific environmental condition. Indicator
species can signal a change in the biological condition of an
ecosystem, and thus may be used as a proxy to diagnose the
health of an ecosystem.
The indicator species selected in Lawin, mainly birds, are
animals that are dependent on intact forest. Their presence or
absence reflects the health of the forest. The more indicator
species are observed per kilometer of patrol, the more likely it

is that the forest is in good condition and vice versa. During
patrols, indicator species are recorded whenever they are seen or
heard, or whenever other evidence of their presence is observed.
Particularly, during indicator species-focused patrols, it is
important that the spotter of the team has the skills to identify
the indicator species for the specific forest conservation area.
Every time an indicator species is observed, the recorder enters
the necessary information in CyberTracker. The recorder then
presses ”Save as New Waypoint” at the location of the threat to
create a record with a waypoint.
25
6. Patrol evaluation
The main purpose of patrols is to detect and reduce threats. To
determine whether threats are indeed being reduced, patrol
performance needs to be evaluated. There are two levels of patrol
evaluation: CENRO and patrol team. While patrol teams carry
out their evaluations after each patrol as part of the debriefing
process, at a minimum, quarterly evaluations are conducted at the
CENRO level. At the CENRO level, the evaluation is conducted
before patrol planning; participants include the patrol leaders,
patrol organizer, designated staff leading enforcement activities,
and the designated staff leading conservation and development
activities. Through this, patrol evaluation informs patrol
planning. The data manager joins this evaluation to provide the
necessary information.
Evaluating patrol performance identifies the strengths and

weaknesses of the patrol teams. First and foremost, the evaluation
looks at the type of actions taken to address threats. To inform
future patrols, the patrol teams discuss actions that were effective
and the lessons learned from implementing them.
Additionally, the level of the accomplishment of the patrol plan
is assessed. This includes the spatial coverage of the patrols in
relation to the patrol plan, the conduct of the patrols according
to the schedules, the composition of the team according to the
patrol plan, the level of engagement of available patrollers, and
the achievement of the planned patrol distance. Factors that
helped or hindered the achievement of these elements of the
patrol targets are also discussed, to inform future patrol planning
as well as implement the necessary corrective actions.
Furthermore, the quality of recording of observations and
distance tracking is also assessed. In this assessment, the data
26
manager’s participation is particularly important to provide
information to aid the assessment on the following areas of
concern: a) potentially faulty data regarding patrol distance, due
to the failure to press the “End Patrol” button in CyberTracker;
b) potentially inaccurate records of observed forest condition,
such as dense regeneration outside the forest or in an open
cultivated area; c) potentially inaccurate records of observed
indicator species, such as indicator species records in open
cultivated areas; d) non-recording of observations, such as no
threat recorded during patrols especially in known hot spots; e)
irregular or missed recording of forest condition, which should
be recorded every 100 meters; and f) incomplete entry of patrol
team members.
The following guidance questions are used to conduct the patrol
performance evaluation:
■■ Actions taken. What were the predominant type of
actions taken to address threats and why? Were these
actions effective in addressing the threat or not? If yes,
what positive lessons did you learn that could inform
future patrols? If not, what can be done to take actions

that are effective?
■■ Spatial coverage. Were the patrol’s spatial coverage
targets met? If yes, what positive lessons did you learn
that could inform future patrols? If not, what corrective
action can be taken to achieve the target patrol coverage?
■■ Schedule. Were the patrols conducted based on the
planned schedule? If yes, what positive lessons did you
learn that could inform future patrols? If not, what caused
the deviation in the schedule and did the deviation result
in better addressing the threat or not? If not, what can be
done to avoid deviations in schedule in future patrols?
27
■■ Patrol teams. Were all the available patrollers involved in
patrolling in their assigned teams? If yes, what positive
lessons did you learn that could inform future patrols? If
not, what corrective action can be taken to ensure that
patrollers join their respective teams?
■■ Distance. Was the patrol’s distance target met? If yes,
what positive lessons did you learn that could inform
future patrols? If not, what corrective action can be
taken to achieve the target patrol distance?
■■ Quality of recordings. What is the quality of the observations
recorded? Are recordings of threats, indicator species, and/
or forest condition potentially incorrect? If recordings are
deemed correct, what positive lessons did you learn that
could maintain quality recording during patrols? If not,
what corrective action needs to be taken to ensure quality
recording during patrols?

■■ Recording challenges. Are there patrols with potential non-
recording of observations? If yes, what kept patrollers from
recording and what can be done to avoid non-recording
in future patrols? If no, what positive lessons did you learn
to ensure that all observations are recorded?
■■ Faulty patrol distance. Are there patrols with potentially
faulty patrol distance? If yes, what could be the reason and
what can be done to avoid recording faulty patrol distance
in future patrols. If not, what positive lessons did you
learn to maintain accurate patrol distance recording?
Patrol performance evaluation is different from evaluating the
effectiveness of responses to observed and recorded threats.
Response evaluation is discussed in Module 4.
28
Annex: Patrol Planning and Patrol
Plan Templates
[1] Patrol Planning Framework

Planning year:
Name of CENRO (Office):
Size of forest conservation area:
Conservation targets:
29
Patrol targets:
[Complete this once patrol sectors have been identified, patrol
teams formed, and patrol assignments allocated]
Parameter Describe and quantify (if possible) patrol

targets
Distance Example: Since there are 4 patrol teams with each

covering 10 km per month, the total patrol target
distance for the entire year is 4 teams x 10 km per
month per team x 12 months = 480 km.
Coverage Example: To cover the entire forest conservation area.
Intensity Example: To pass hot spot areas at least once every

quarter.
30
Patrol sectors
[insert map of forest conservation area showing boundaries of
patrol sectors]
31
Patrol assignments
Patrol Sector Patrol team (name or Patrol members

(indicate name) number) (indicate full name)
32
[2] Patrol Plan
Planning Quarter/Year:
Name of CENRO (Office):
Month Week Patrol team [indicate Patrol route [indicate area and Patrol purpose
number or name] show in the map on the next page]
Map of patrol routes
[Insert forest conservation area map used in patrol planning
framework with indicative patrol routes]
34

Data Management
Response

MODULE 3
Data Management
Module 3: Data Management
A
Editorial Team:
Dr. Efrain Laureano
Ms. Denise Felix
Ms. Wynne Mancini
Writers:
Dr. Felix Gaschick
Manual. Module 3: Data Management.

MODULE 3
Data Management
Preface

ii

Protection System:
area plan
iii
Acronyms
CCAA Cross Conservation Area Analysis
Office
Natural Resources
GPS Global Positioning System

Office
SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool
iv
Contents
Preface........................................................................... ii
Acronyms...................................................................... iv
Contents......................................................................... v
Messages......................................................................viii
1. Introduction................................................................1
2. Purpose of data management.....................................4
3. Data management levels, roles, responsibilities
and required skills.....................................................10
4. Timing of data management.....................................12
5. Data management at the CENRO level......................12
5.1. Maintain a patrollers list.....................................12
5.2. Make smartphones patrol-ready........................14 Module 3: Data Management
5.3. Transfer patrol data from smartphone

to SMART Desktop............................................15
5.4. Sync SMART Desktop with SMART Connect
regularly............................................................16
5.5. Analyze patrol data............................................17
5.6. Capture actions taken to address threats...........23
v
6. Data management at the PENRO and
regional levels..........................................................24
6.1. Sync conservation areas with SMART Connect...24
7. Data management at the national level.29
7.1. Sync conservation areas with SMART Connect...29
7.3. Maintain patrol data quality...............................30
7.4. Design queries and reports and update
data model and standards.................................32
7.5. Monitor software upgrades...............................33

7.6. Supply information to support planning,
budgeting, and policy formulation processes
on forest protection...........................................34
vi
Messages


viii biodiversity conservation are done in the Philippines.
Lawrence Hardy II Module 3: Data Management

ix
Messages


x

DENR Secretary
xi
1. Introduction
Data management plays a key role in the Lawin Forest and
Biodiversity Protection System, and is carried out by capable
and duly assigned data managers. Data management entails
transferring, syncing, and analyzing Lawin patrol data collected
through regular patrols. Proper data management provides up-
to-date information on forest conditions and threats and enables
to use data-driven decision-making at all levels to implement
forest protection strategies and measure their effectiveness.
In addition to competent data managers, data management
requires three elements: a) computer with Spatial Monitoring and
Reporting Tool (SMART) software installed, b) CyberTracker
installed on smartphones, and c) SMART Connect in a server.
For these elements to work together, the SMART software
needs to be configured with the right data model, an up-to-
date patrollers list, and the right connection settings. This
configuration is Community Environment and Natural
Resources Office (CENRO)1-specific, designed and provided by
the central office of DENR. Only the right configuration enables
the data manager to install CENRO-compatible CyberTracker Module 3: Data Management
apps onto patrollers’ smartphones before patrols, transfer patrol
data from the smartphones to the SMART software after patrols,
and immediately sync patrol data with SMART Connect.
Data analysis lies at the core of data management. Data managers
perform analysis through statistical and spatial queries at all
levels of the DENR. At the CENRO level, the data managers
analyze patrol data collected by patrollers to inform strategies
to address observed threats, monitor performance, and assess
the effectiveness of their actions. At the Provincial Environment
1 The term CENRO refers to implementing PENROs where applicable. 1
SMART Desktop is a software with a suite of tools for planning patrols,
managing the performance of patrollers, analyzing data from patrols
and other sources, and presenting findings in reports that data manag-
ers at the CENRO, PENRO, Regional Office and Central Office of DENR
use to make data driven decisions in forest protection
SMART Connect is a web-based platform for the aggregation, synchro-

nization and storage of patrol data. Dashboards and reports in SMART
Connect provide information on patrol performance, threats, forest
condition and other parameters. Users of SMART Connect can access
reports and dashboards without the need to open SMART Desktop.
SMART Connect enables CENROs, PENROs, Regional Offices and the
Central Offices to simultaneously access patrol data.
CyberTracker is a software for collecting georeferenced field data.

CyberTracker can be installed on smartphones with GPS to record field
observations. SMART Desktop has a CyberTracker plugin that allows
the seamless import of patrol data from the smartphones after the
completion of each patrol.
and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), regional, and national

level, the data managers analyze aggregated patrol data from the
CENROs. SMART Connect enables these higher units of the
DENR to have access to and perform analysis on the same patrol
data of the CENROs under their jurisdiction (Figure 1). The
data managers of these higher levels can perform data analysis
in two ways. They can examine data from one CENRO in their
jurisdiction or from several CENROs at once.
2
Figure 1. The flow of patrol data from CENRO to SMART Connect. PENRO,
Regional Office and the National Office have simultaneous access to patrol data
synchronized by the CENRO.
Automated Aggregation of Patrol Data
SYNCHRONIZE DATA
Region National
SYNCHRONIZE DATA
DEPLOY STANDARDS
Province
SMART Connect Server
Field level SYNCHRONIZE DATA
3
2. Purpose of data management
To formulate strategies that address key threats to forests,
resource managers need relevant information to guide forest
protection actions. Data management provides this information
by transforming patrol data into information that is transparent,
area-specific, and verifiable (Figure 2). Data managers generate
such information, and it provides the foundation for strategies to
address observed threats, improve staff management, and focus
resource allocation. Focused resource allocation enables targeted
action where it matters most. Continual data management shows
the level of effectiveness of forest protection activities over time
and enables resource managers to make adjustments if the data
shows low effectiveness. Data management, therefore, lies at the
core of the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System,
and is strongest when intertwined with the other elements of

the system (forest conservation area planning, patrolling, and
responding to threats).
Figure 2. Data are the facts or details from which information is derived. For data
to become useful information, they need to be processed and put into context.
Information is created from data
Information
Processing
DATA DATA DATA
4
To achieve the above purpose, data management focuses on the following aspects of forest protection
at the different layers of the DENR organizational hierarchy (Table 1):
Table 1. Transforming patrol data to information: its uses and values
Level Data Information Use of Value of

information information
CENRO ■■ Georeferenced records Location, density, and Strategies to Allows CENRO

of observed threats and distribution of types address repeatedly to implement
actions taken of threats and actions observed threats protection actions
■■ Forest cover taken in relation to forest particularly in where it matters
condition, and extent of areas crucial most in terms
■■ CENRO boundaries forest cover in the CENRO to achieving of achieving
■■ Local Government Unit and LGUs Georeferenced conservation conservation
(LGU) boundaries records of observed targets targets
threats and actions taken
■■ Additional map layers, as
needed
5
6

CENRO ■■ Patrol tracks Patrol distance, coverage, Patrol planning, Allows CENRO to
■■ Patrol members intensity, and history including deploy patrollers
in relation to forest schedules, future to patrol focus
■■ Forest cover condition, level of patrol routes, areas with the
■■ Patrol dates engagement of patrollers deployment ideal frequency in
by stakeholder groups of patrollers a balanced and
particularly in optimal way
needed
areas crucial
to achieving
conservation
targets
■■ Time-series of Trends in observations of Assessing Allows CENRO to

georeferenced records of observed threats, forest effectiveness of know the level
observed threats, forest condition, regeneration forest protection of success of
condition, and indicator and indicator species activities forest protection
species per patrol kilometer activities and
■■ Forest cover in relation to forest provides insights
condition on adjustments in
■■ Patrol tracks strategies needed
needed
PENRO ■■ Patrol tracks Patrol distance, coverage, Tracking patrol Allows PENRO and
and ■■ Patrol members and history per patroller, effort of forest Regional Office
Regional type of stakeholder, and patrollers per to monitor patrol
Office ■■ Forest cover CENRO stakeholder per performance
■■ Patrol dates CENRO
■■ Employees list
needed
■■ Georeferenced records Location, density, and Strategies to Allows CENRO

of observed threats and distribution of types support CENRO to implement
actions taken of threats and actions level actions to protection actions
■■ Forest cover taken in relation to forest address threats, where it matters
condition, and extent of including potential most in terms
■■ CENRO boundaries forest cover in the CENRO inter-agency of achieving
■■ LGU boundaries and LGUs coordination conservation
targets
needed
7
8

■■ Time-series of georeferenced Trends in observations of Assess Allows PENRO/

records of observed threats, observed threats, forest effectiveness of Regional Office to
forest condition and condition, regeneration, forest protection know and show
indicator species and indicator species at the PENRO and the level of success
■■ Forest cover per patrol kilometer per regional levels of forest protection
CENRO activities and
■■ Patrol tracks provides insights
■■ Additional map layers, as on adjustments in
needed strategies needed
National ■■ Georeferenced records

level ■■ Patrol tracks
■■ Patrol dates
■■ Patrol tracks
■■ Patrol members
■■ Forest cover
■■ Patrol dates
needed
■■ Patrol tracks Patrol distance, history, Informing Allows DENR to

■■ Patrol members and level of engagement decisions to justify resource
of patrollers per CENRO/ deploy additional allocation to forest
■■ Forest cover PENRO/region in relation technical support protection in areas
■■ Patrol dates to forest cover and in regions with an where it is most
prevalence of threats unbalanced forest- needed
■■ Georeferenced records
to-performance
of observed threats and
ratio
actions taken
needed
■■ Time-series of Trends in observations of Assessing Allows DENR to

georeferenced records of observed threats, forest effectiveness of know and show
observed threats, forest condition, regeneration forest protection the level of success
condition, and indicator and indicator species at the national of forest protection
species per patrol kilometer per level activities and
■■ Forest cover region provides insights
on adjustments in
■■ Patrol tracks strategies needed
needed
9
3. Data management levels, roles,
responsibilities and required skills
Data management is embedded in the four layers of the DENR
organizational hierarchy: 1) CENRO, 2) PENRO, 3) regional
offices, and 4) the national level. Additionally, data management
for protected areas with forests is integrated into these four layers.
Data managers perform data analysis for specific purposes: a) to
inform strategies to address observed threats (Module 4), b) to
feed into future patrol plans (Module 2), and c) to keep resource
managers up-to-date on progress toward conservation targets
defined in the Forest Conservation Area Plan (Module 1). Results
of data analysis also become the basis for resource planning and
performance management.
Patrol data is gathered and entered at the CENRO level. It is only at
this level that data managers transfer patrol data from patrollers’
smartphones to SMART Desktops and synchronize data with

the SMART Connect server. Data analysis at the CENRO level
involves performing queries to analyze patrol data to monitor
patrollers’ performance, inform forest protection actions of the
CENRO, and assess effectiveness of these actions.
At the higher levels — PENROs, regional offices, and the DENR
central office — data managers update patrol data from SMART
Connect through regular syncing. They also perform analysis
to monitor patrol performance of the CENROs under their
jurisdiction. This helps them to identify performance gaps and
determine the need for technical or human support for forest
patrollers on the ground.
At these levels, analyzed patrol data can also help in formulating
work plans and justifying budgets for forest protection. And
finally, analyzing data and monitoring trends over time enables
assessment of the effectiveness of forest protection in the entire
10 area of jurisdiction.
To ensure data managers at the various levels can perform their
tasks, while maintaining data integrity, credibility, and security,
access permissions are in place for each level. Table 2 summarizes
these access permissions and tasks that can be accomplished
with these permissions.
Table 2: Allowed tasks at the various DENR levels
Level Permission
National level – Lawin Unit System Administrator
Regional Office Data Analysis
PENRO Data Analysis
CENRO Data Entry, Data Analysis
At all levels of the DENR, data management enables resource

managers to share information on the situation of the forest,
what is being done to protect it, and what still needs to be done.
It also enables them to conduct informed discussions on forest
protection with other stakeholders, such as LGUs, private sector
representatives, and members of civil society. This enables DENR
to mobilize other stakeholders and coordinate responses that
support its forest protection initiatives.
The data managers need to have the knowledge and skills to inform
decision-making. This includes advanced computer proficiency
and an in-depth understanding of SMART and CyberTracker
and the functions of these software programs. Knowledge of
GIS is helpful in understanding the spatial elements of SMART.
Data managers must bring an analytical mindset to proactively
scrutinize patrol data and inform decision-making; their role is
not a set of mechanical “follow-and-click” tasks.
11
4. Timing of data management
Data management occurs on a day-to-day basis.
At the CENRO level, patrol data is transferred from smartphones
to the SMART Desktop immediately after the patrol is completed.
The data manager then directly synchronizes data with SMART
Connect, performs initial data analysis, and presents the findings
to the CENRO as soon as possible, particularly if threats were
observed or data analysis reveals any other irregularity that
needs the CENRO’s attention.
At the higher levels, data sets are updated from SMART Connect
through synchronization to SMART Desktop at least daily. Data
managers perform analysis to inform decision-makers at least
on a weekly basis, whenever new data is available or in demand.
5. Data management at the CENRO

level
5.1. Maintain a patrollers list
Patrol performance is tracked per person, position, and institution.
This allows DENR to measure patrol effort per individual, per
position (for instance, Forest Ranger, forester, forest technician),
and per stakeholder group (DENR, LGU, NGO, private sector)
and to compare patrol efforts. This information is critical for patrol
planning. It is also important for justifying the provision of incentives
and for calculating patrollers’ performance-based compensation, if
and where applicable. To ensure the above can be done, the CENRO-
level data manager must maintain an updated and accurate list of
forest patrollers in the SMART software. This list includes the names
and other relevant details of all forest patrollers from the CENRO,
12
and, if applicable, from other stakeholders joining Lawin patrols. If
an individual joins a patrol but his or her name is not included in
the list, then that individual’s patrol efforts will not be tracked and
cannot be incentivized. At a minimum, the list needs to contain the
names and other relevant information of all Forest Rangers of the
CENRO. In cases where CENROs do not have sufficient numbers
of Forest Rangers to achieve adequate patrol coverage, they increase
the number of patrollers by instructing other staff with different
positions to become members of patrol teams. Further, where the
opportunity exists, they enjoin other stakeholders to augment these
teams2. In these cases, the data manager adds the names of these
additional Forest Rangers and their relevant information to the list
of patrollers in SMART Desktop.
The data manager logs in to the SMART Desktop and uses the
‘Employee List’ entry in the “Conservation Area” menu to update
the list and details of patrollers.3
Maintaining an updated and accurate list of patrollers in
SMART Desktop is equally important for computing minimum
patrol distance targets. These minimum targets for a CENRO
to accomplish within a month are calculated based on the
number of a CENRO’s Forest Rangers multiplied by a minimum
distance per Forest Ranger set by the DENR Central Office. The Module 3: Data Management
minimum target is calculated based on the number of Forest
Rangers regardless of their ability and availability to patrol. Data
managers should de-activate entries of Forest Rangers and other
DENR patrollers who no longer participate in patrols whatever
the reason, however, this does not affect the minimum patrol
distance targets. If a Forest Ranger or other DENR patroller
whose entry has been de-activated joins patrol again, the data
manager must re-activate this individual’s entry. The data
2 See Module 2, Patrol Planning.

3 See SMART manual for details and if needed consult Central Office for type of log-in to use for
this task.
13
manager should not create a new entry under the same name
and with other relevant information because this would lead to
double entries and result in a miscalculation of minimum patrol
distance targets.
It is important to note that actual patrol distance requirements to
effectively cover the forest conservation area are likely higher than
the minimum distance targets calculated based on the number of
DENR Forest Rangers. Therefore patrolling should not be done to
achieve the minimum distance target only but first and foremost
to reduce and eliminate threats to the forest. In line with this, the
CENRO sets the ideal target distance to effectively protect the
forest during the quarterly patrol planning (see Module 2). This
ideal target must not be below the minimum target.
Wrong and outdated entries (e.g., double entries or entries of Forest
Rangers that were transferred to another CENRO) that require

deletion need to be communicated to the DENR Central Office
for action since only the DENR Central Office can delete entries.
The data manager identifies the wrong entries and communicates
these findings to the CENRO for the latter to request deletion of
the incorrect entries from the DENR Central Office.
5.2. Make smartphones patrol-ready

Patrollers must have the ability to record observations during
patrols and track patrol efforts for each team member. This
requires at least one fully functional mobile phone per team with
the CyberTracker app installed. The data collected through the
mobile phone is based on the latest data model of the CENRO’s
region and includes an up-to-date patrollers’ list and a map of
the forest conservation area to guide patrollers.
The data manager is responsible for ensuring that the patrollers
14 use an up-to-date CyberTracker app. The data manager also has to
check the general functionality, particularly the phone’s GPS, and,
if necessary, perform a factory reset to restore the phone’s usability.
In coordination with the patrol team’s recorder, the data manager
installs the latest CyberTracker app from SMART on the team’s
mobile phone or phones before each patrol. This guarantees that the
app includes the correct data model and the latest patrollers’ list and
conservation area map. Installing the updated app also clears all old
patrol data — a necessary step because old data stored in the mobile
phone could cause errors during data transfer after the patrol.
The data manager must know the CENRO’s patrol plan to
coordinate with the patrol teams’ recorders on updating all of
the phones apps.
5.3. Transfer patrol data from smartphone to

SMART Desktop
For decision-makers at the CENRO to use information from
patrols, the CENRO data manager must immediately analyze
the patrol data in SMART. Therefore, the data manager, in
coordination with the patrol team’s recorders, transfers the patrol
data from one phone to SMART at the soonest feasible time
following the patrol’s completion. The data manager must not Module 3: Data Management
transfer patrol data from other phones used by the same patrol
team during the patrol to avoid duplication, which would lead to
incorrect data analysis results.
Transferring patrol data is done by connecting the phone to
the computer that contains the SMART Desktop for Lawin.
The data manager logs in to the SMART Desktop and uses the
‘CyberTracker’ entry in the “Field Data” menu to import patrol
data from devices.4
this task.
15
5.4. Sync SMART Desktop with SMART Connect
regularly
For decision-makers at the higher levels of DENR (PENRO,
Regional Office, Central Office) to effectively use information
from patrols and to ensure that the CENRO SMART database
has a secure and up-to-date back-up, the CENRO data manager
should sync SMART Desktop with SMART Connect immediately
after the transfer of new patrol data from phones to SMART
Desktop. This will upload the patrol data to the server and also
download any changes for application to CENRO’s database, such
as report definitions, queries, and basemaps. Uploading patrol
data is critical because it is how CENRO reports forest protection
accomplishments to higher levels. Only uploaded patrol data
factors into measurement of the CENRO’s accomplishments.
To upload patrol data, the CENRO data manager uses the “Sync
all changes to/from Connect” entry in the “Connect” menu5
in SMART Desktop. The syncing process is completed once a
confirmation dialog box appears on the computer screen stating
that syncing is complete. This requires stable but not necessarily
fast internet connection. This process may require some time
depending on the speed of the connection and size of the file
being synced. Syncing can run in the background and does
not affect other SMART functions such as queries and reports
nor the operation of other programs such as Word and Excel.
However, limiting other simultaneous internet uses will optimize
the syncing process. Syncing can also be carried out overnight
with the right settings applied6. The data manager should avoid
accumulating unsynced patrol data in the CENRO SMART
database. The data manager should sync the CENRO database
regularly, ideally every day.
5 See SMART manual for details.

16 6 See SMART manual for details
Syncing should be carried out even if there is no new patrol
data to upload. This ensures that new report definitions, base
maps, and other data edited by the Central Office and available
in SMART Connect are downloaded to the CENRO SMART
Desktop and keeps it up-to-date.
5.5. Analyze patrol data
5.5.1. Generate information for post patrol responses

and patrol planning
Data-driven decision-making at the CENRO level ensures
resources are utilized where it matters most to effectively address
observed threats. Effective post patrol responses and patrol
planning require the analysis of patrol data to provide insights on
patrol coverage and intensity, location of threats to be addressed,
actions taken, and patrollers’ participation. These insights give
the CENRO a better understanding of the situation of the forest
under its jurisdiction and the actions needed to effectively
address observed threats. These insights also support managerial
decisions related to deployment of forest patrollers, performance
rating, and budget allocation.
For the analysis process to proceed, data managers consult the Module 3: Data Management
CENRO level dashboard in SMART Connect and run pre-

designed reports in SMART Desktop on patrol data to generate
the required information. In addition to using pre-designed
reports, data managers can also design and run specific queries
and reports requested by the CENRO. The data manager works
closely with the CENRO to identify information requirements
that support the CENRO’s actions to address threats and patrol
planning. The data manager’s responsibility therefore does not
end after patrol data has been uploaded to SMART Connect.
17
To run the pre-designed reports, the data manager logs in
SMART Desktop7, opens the “Report” menu, and presses the
“View Report” entry. A dialog box with several report options to
choose from will appear. The data manager selects and runs the
appropriate report option8. After the report is generated, users
can consult it on the computer through the SMART Desktop or
through an exported PDF or Word file shareable via email or
available for printing.
To create on-demand queries, the data manager opens the
“Query” menu in SMART and presses the “New Query” entry.
A dialog box with several options to design specific queries will
appear. Depending on the need, the data manager can design
queries pertaining to location of observations (threats, forest
condition, and indicator species), statistics on patrol performance
per patroller, percentage distribution of type of observations,
map of patrol tracks, grid maps showing patrol intensity and

patrol coverage and many others. The data manager participates
in CENRO meetings to discuss actions on addressing observed
threats and to supply additional information important in
identifying effective protection actions but not covered in the pre-
designed reports. Bringing in-depth perspective on the available
patrol data, the data manager also participates in patrol planning
sessions, interacting with the patrollers, joining the review of
patrol data quality, and providing recommendations on how
to improve the quality of data recording. The query function of
SMART Desktop and the various options are explained in detail
in the SMART manual.
this task.
18 8 See SMART manual for details.
5.5.2. Analyze effectiveness of forest protection
measures
Forest protection is effective when threats decrease and forest
and habitat conditions improve. The desired rate of change in
the threats and in forest and habitat conditions are reflected in
the conservation targets9. To determine if conservation targets
are being achieved and thus if forest protection is effective, the
data manager must establish data trends that show the number
of observations per kilometer patrolled over time.
The number of times an observation (of a threat, forest condition,

or indicator species) made within a certain patrol distance is called
encounter rate. For example, if a patrol covered a total distance of 4
kilometers and the forest patrollers observed six threats, the encounter
rate is 6 threats per 4 kilometers, or an average of 1.5 threats per kilo-
meter. The query builder in the SMART Desktop application computes
encounter rate per kilometer.
Through time, a trend can be established by comparing the average

number of observations per kilometer or encounter rate per kilometer
for a specific unit of time (month or year, for example). The encoun-
ter rate per kilometer per month or year can vary, meaning it can be
high on the first month, low on the second month, high on the third Module 3: Data Management
month and so on. The query and report builders in the SMART Desktop
application automatically establishes a trendline to graphically show if
the trend is going up or down for a specific time period (See figures on
the next page).
9 See Module 1. 19
Trend in threats
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
Linear (Threats trend)

Trend in dense regeneration

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Linear (Dense regeneration trend)
20
The data trends and their significance follow below:
■■ Number of observations of threats per kilometer
patrolled over time. An upward trend means forest
protection is ineffective and a downward trend means
that the CENRO is successful in implementing actions
to address threats.
■■ Number of observations of dense forest regeneration per
kilometer patrolled over time in degraded forest areas.
An upward trend means the forest is recovering and
therefore forest protection is effective; a downward trend
means the opposite.
■■ Number of observations of indicator species per kilometer
patrolled over time. An upward trend generally means
forest protection is effective; a downward trend does not
necessarily indicate forest protection is ineffective, however,
it signals that CENRO should take a closer look at the
situation. In general, this trend is meant to support the two
trends above and should not be viewed in isolation.
Trends can be established for entire forest conservation areas.
They can also be established for specific areas within conservation
areas, particularly when there are specific conservation targets
for these smaller areas. Module 3: Data Management
In addition to trends, the distribution of observations can be used

to determine forest protection effectiveness. Maps with gridded
analysis show this distribution. Comparing the distribution of
forest condition at two points in time can show changes in the
forest. For example, an area that showed a high number of early
secondary growth forest at an earlier point in time and showed a
high number of advanced secondary growth forest at a later point
in time signifies that forest condition has improved in that area
(Figure 3).
21
Figure 3. Improvement in forest condition as a result of effective long-term
protection
Early Secondary Growth Forest
Advanced Secondary Growth Forest
Before Patrol Coverage After

Forest Forest
The upward and downward trends in SMART generated graphs

show whether forest protection is effective or not. Comparing
the distribution of observations in SMART-generated maps
at two or more points in time does require additional visual
interpretation and discussion to reach conclusions on forest
protection effectiveness. To draw a conclusion on forest protection
effectiveness and the degree of achievement of conservation
targets, the CENRO needs both trends and distribution maps.
This conclusion is a critical input to forest conservation area
22 planning, patrol planning, threat response, and measurement
of progress and reporting accomplishments. Therefore, the
CENRO needs to have the ability work toward this conclusion at
any point in time.
The data manager needs to have continual exchange with the
CENRO, regularly monitors the CENRO level dashboard in
SMART Connect, and runs pre-designed and on-demand
queries and reports in SMART Desktop to provide the necessary
information. The data manager also ensures that the CENRO has
access to the CENRO-level dashboard.
5.6. Capture actions taken to address threats

The Lawin system aims to reduce forest threats such as cutting
of trees and slash and burn farming through targeted actions
informed by data from patrols. These actions include law
enforcement, awareness-raising during regular patrols, and a
broader set of responses, including developmental initiatives after
patrol data has been analyzed. These actions are summarized in
20 response protocols10. The protocols guide the patrollers on
the actions during patrols. These also serve as a reference for the
CENRO on actions to implement informed by data on the threats.
The actions implemented during patrol are recorded in Module 3: Data Management
CyberTracker and can be analyzed in SMART. In addition to
this, the data manager should record the data-driven responses
of the CENRO that are implemented after patrol data has been
analyzed. The data manager should keep up-to-date records on
data-driven responses to threats, including both those threats
that were acted upon and those that require further action.
These records help the CENRO to manage and plan actions to
address threats and in the long run provide an overview of the
effectiveness of actions.
10 See module 4 23
6. Data management at the PENRO
and regional levels
Forest patrolling is not done at the PENRO and regional levels,
except in implementing PENROs. At these levels, data management
is done mainly to monitor progress of patrolling by the CENROs
against the PENRO and regional patrol plans, quality of patrol
data, and actions taken in response to threats. Data management
at these levels is also done for the PENRO and Regional Office
to determine the kind of support needed by each CENRO. Lastly,
the data managers of the PENRO and Regional Office assess
effectiveness of forest protection initiatives for the CENROs
under their jurisdiction. For the data managers at these levels to
complete assessments, they perform syncing between the PENRO
or regional SMART database with SMART Connect to ensure the
latest patrol data of the CENROs is available for analysis, report

preparation, and provision of information to decision-makers.
At these levels, data managers can only do analysis; they cannot
edit or delete patrol data. In the event questions arise about patrol
data requiring further action by the national data managers, data
managers bring these questions to the attention of the respective
CENRO to coordinate with the national data manager for
necessary edits or deletion using the Lawin help-desk.
6.1. Sync conservation areas with SMART Connect

The PENRO and Regional Office SMART database contains all the
forest conservation areas of the CENROs under its jurisdiction.
For example, if a PENRO has five CENROs under its jurisdiction,
the SMART contains five forest conservation areas.
Additionally, the SMART database includes a ‘Cross Conservation
Area Analysis (CCAA)’ entry at the bottom of the drop down
24
menu for the conservation area selection of the login window.
Selecting this entry merges and aggregates the data of the various
CENROs and allows analysis of data across all or selected
CENROs under the jurisdiction of the PENRO or Regional
Office. The CCAA itself, however, does not contain patrol data
but draws patrol data stored in the forest conservation areas of the
CENROs. Syncing of patrol data thus cannot be done while being
logged into the CCAA but needs to be done using the multiple-
sync feature of SMART. The multiple-sync will fetch all new
patrol data from the CENROs and store it in the respective forest
conservation area in the SMART database of the PENRO and
Regional Office. Multiple-sync includes the CCAA, however, it
only updates report definitions, queries, and other auxiliary data
of the CCAA, not the patrol data from the CENROs. If multiple-
sync causes error messages, the data manager can sync the patrol
data by individually logging into the forest conservation area of
each CENRO and starting the syncing process in that way.
The data manager of the PENRO and the Regional Office should
sync their SMART database with SMART Connect on a daily basis.
This ensures CENRO patrol data is available at the PENRO and
Regional Office whenever needed, and any changes made in the
conservation areas by the national administrator are applied to the
SMART database. Daily syncing will also avoid the piling up of un- Module 3: Data Management
synced data on the server, and makes the overall syncing process at
the PENRO and Regional Office faster and less error prone.

Selected information is presented in PENRO and regional level
dashboards in SMART Connect and is readily available to the
resource manager upon login. To perform more in-depth analysis,
the data managers of the PENRO and Regional Office use the
CCAA to analyze patrol data across all the CENROs under their 25
offices’ jurisdiction on a day-to-day basis. This makes extraction
of patrol data from each forest conservation area individually
and aggregation of it using other software obsolete. If a certain
CENRO in a specific situation requires examination in closer
detail, the data manager at the CENRO level can log into the
specific forest conservation area to perform a more focused
analysis using only the data of a particular CENRO.
The data managers ensure that the PENRO or Regional Director
and other decision-makers have access to the respective
dashboards. Additionally, if more in-depth analysis is required,
they analyze patrol data using queries and reports designed by
the Central Office. Further, the data manager can conduct tailor-
made analysis of the patrol data by designing specific queries and
reports in SMART.
6.2.1. Monitor progress of patrolling and actions taken

Resource managers at the PENRO and regional levels need to
know the performance of their respective CENROs. Performance
refers to number, distance, intensity, and coverage of patrols
and, more importantly, to the number and types of action
implemented in response to threats during and after patrols.
Checking the dashboard and using the pre-designed queries and
reports in the CCAA of SMART, the data managers regularly
update the resource managers on the performance of the CENROs.
The data managers alert resource managers whenever analysis
suggests that a certain CENRO requires attention. This includes
outstanding patrol performance and number of actions taken to
address threats as well as poor performance marked by suspicious
patrol distance, patrol coverage outside the forest, no threats
observed, and limited actions taken to address observed threats.
26
6.2.2. Monitor quality of patrol data
For analysis to be accurate and informative for decision-makers,
patrol data must be of good quality. The data managers at the
PENRO and regional level therefore examine the CENROs’
patrol data for potential errors, redundancies, incorrect location,
and other discrepancies that might affect accuracy. This can
include patrol data with wrong GPS readings resulting in faulty
patrol distance, patrols carried out outside the forest, patrols
conducted with a short duration but covering a long distance,
and patrols without or with very few observations. If instances
of such faulty patrol data are observed, data managers alert the
relevant CENRO to initiate the correction, editing, or deletion of
the faulty data by the national data manager.
6.2.3. Assess effectiveness of forest protection

initiatives at the PENRO and regional levels
Reduction in threats to the forest stands at the heart of the
Lawin system. Reduction in threats is achieved by implementing
actions that reduce or stop activities that destroy the forest. To
determine if such actions are effective, resource managers at the
PENRO and Regional Office need to stay informed on the impact
of actions taken by CENROs in response to observed threats. Module 3: Data Management
Up to date information on the effectiveness of these actions
enables resource managers to properly support the CENROs,
direct resources, and make adjustments to stay on course toward
achieving the conservation targets.
The data managers keep the resource managers up to date by
regularly monitoring the effectiveness analyses in the dashboard
that show trends in threats, forest condition, and indicator
species in addition to data on patrol coverage and actions taken.
Data managers run additional queries and reports as needed. For
27
more details on the analysis, see section 5.6.1. The data managers
use pre-designed queries and reports to present information.
If analysis suggests that actions of a particular CENRO appear
ineffective and if trends show conservation targets are in
jeopardy, the data manager alerts the resource manager to call
the attention of the CENRO.
6.2.4. Provide input to work planning processes

Analyzed patrol data provide valuable information to guide
resource allocation for forest protection and should be used
to inform planning and budget processes at the PENRO and
Regional Office. Data-driven planning at these levels helps focus
resource allocation to CENROs which, based on data, need
resources the most to increase forest protection effectiveness.
For example, CENROs with large forest cover, a high number
of threats but few Forest Rangers to patrol and implement

actions to address threats, resulting in low effectiveness, often
require additional resources to increase effectiveness. Such data-
driven allocation of resources raises the overall effectiveness of
PENROs and Regional Offices in forest protection and in the
entire country.
The data managers provide the needed information to the
planning unit of the PENRO and Regional Office for these
latter to prepare informed plans and budgets. There are no pre-
designed queries and reports for this matter as the demand for
information varies from case to case and is CENRO, PENRO,
and region specific. Data managers must therefore have a good
understanding of the query and report functions of SMART
Desktop to produce the needed information as input to budget
and planning.
28
7. Data management at the national
level
At the national level, data management is done to monitor
performance of regional field offices in implementing Lawin,
measuring Lawin’s effectiveness in forest protection, and informing
policy decisions. National data managers design data management
components such as report and query definitions, dashboards, data
model entries, and database standards. The national data managers
also ensure database functionality, data safety, quality, and integrity.
7.1. Sync conservation areas with SMART Connect

The national SMART database contains all the forest conservation
areas of the country. There is also one CCAA entry at the very
bottom of the drop down menu for the conservation area
selection in the login window.
The national data managers sync their SMART database with
SMART Connect at least on a daily basis through the multiple-
sync function of SMART Desktop. This is to ensure that CENROs’
patrol data are updated and available whenever needed at the
national level. Syncing also ensures that any updates made to Module 3: Data Management
queries, reports, data model, and other standards are deployed
to the conservation areas through SMART Connect.
7.2.1. Monitor performance per region

The national data managers regularly update decision-makers
at the national level on forest protection performance of the
different DENR field offices.
29
National data managers monitor patrol performance by using the
national level dashboard in SMART Connect and running specific
requested queries and reports. They also ensure relevant decision-
makers have access to dashboards to monitor patrol performance.
The data managers inform the appropriate DENR units if analysis
implies that specific regions are not sufficiently patrolling and
may need support from the national level or require directives
with a formal alert to improve performance.
7.2.2. Assess effectiveness of forest protection

Decision-makers at the national level need to stay informed about
the effect of forest protection interventions on the condition of the
country’s forests. Up-to-date information enables decision-makers
to justify and, if necessary, adjust resource allocation for such
interventions. Access to information also helps decision-makers

draft informed policies and distill best practices in forest protection
that have proven effective and merit promotion across the regions.
The national data managers regularly monitor national level
dashboards in SMART Connect and run pre-designed reports
and queries in SMART Desktop to present information to
decision-makers. They also ensure that relevant decision-makers
have access to dashboards.
The data managers alert the decision-makers whenever analysis
implies that forest protection in certain regions does not appear
effective based on trends and other data.
7.3. Maintain patrol data quality

For data to provide useful information, it needs to be high
quality. Patrol data is imported to the SMART database at the
CENRO level as recorded by the patrollers. This can result in the
30
CENRO SMART database containing patrol data that is faulty.
Data could contain wrong records of observations, misrecorded
coordinates resulting in miscalculated patrol distance, and other
irregularities as enumerated in the table below. Faulty data is
mostly due to wrong handling of the recording device during
patrols. Sometimes, patrol data is imported twice at the CENRO
level resulting in data duplication. The CENRO-level data
manager cannot edit or delete the faulty and/or redundant data
and this data is synced to SMART Connect as is. Likewise, data
managers at PENRO and regional level cannot edit or delete data.
Only the national data managers have access permissions to edit
or delete faulty or redundant data. They thus hold responsibility
for maintaining overall data quality.
The national data managers perform a daily data quality
assessment using a pre-designed query which identifies
questionable data and the CENRO from which that data came.
The data managers then examine this data in more detail to
identify the appropriate action using Table 3 as a guide
Table 3: Faulty, redundant, and test patrol data and corresponding actions
Observations Actions
Two or more patrols uploaded Patrol with the longest patrol
with the same patrol date, patrol distance will be retained. The other
members and locations. patrol(s) will be deleted
Test patrols Delete
Patrols clearly outside the forest, Delete

example in cities, roads or croplands
Patrols with few or now observations Delete

but with long patrol distance
covered in a short period of time 31
Observations Actions
Patrols with improper recording Delete

such as all observations recorded as
“Add to last waypoint” and/or no
members are selected
Patrols with tracks that include Edit the error

points with GPS errors
Patrols with tracks that include Edit by deleting the tracks on the
retracing the same route going back way back to starting point
to the starting point
Patrols with tracks outside the Edit by deleting tracks outside the
forest forest and retain only those inside
The national data managers apply the corresponding action to the

identified faulty data in coordination with the respective CENRO
from which the data originated. In some cases, data managers
at the CENROs and implementing PENROs will have already
identified such faulty patrol data and informed the national data
manager about it. The national data managers check the reported
patrol data, assess the recommended action of the CENRO data
managers, and implement as appropriate.
7.4. Design queries and reports and update data

model and standards
With data managers across the DENR providing the same
minimum information to their decision- makers, data analysis
is standardized. Standardized analysis allows for comparison of
information across the different units of DENR. Standardization
is achieved by having pre-designed queries and reports in all
32
SMART databases at the CENRO, PENRO, Regional Offices,
and at the national level. Additionally, dashboards fitted to the
respective DENR level provide common information.
Information needs change over time, which requires updates to
the queries, reports, and dashboards for the forest conservation
areas of the CENRO and the CCAA used by the PENROs and
regional offices. This may also require an update to the data
model of SMART in case additional parameters are needed to
inform forest protection. Additionally, other elements of SMART
may need to be updated over time, such as basemaps and layers.
The national data managers design and update the queries and
reports for the various levels and deploy them to all SMART
databases via SMART Connect. Only national data managers
have access permission to design, update, and deploy the queries
and reports. National data managers also design and update the
dashboards in SMART Connect to ensure the information fits
with the prevailing needs. Updates to the data model and other
elements of SMART take place in the same fashion.
The national data managers also provide technical support to the
data managers at the CENRO, PENRO, and Regional Offices on
the updates. They also provide advice in creating specific queries
or reports that are not included in the set of standard reports, but
that may be needed to inform specific decisions.
7.5. Monitor software upgrades

The SMART and CyberTracker softwares continually develop
platforms. New versions cater to additional needs of the global
community using SMART and CyberTracker. The data managers
at the national level monitor the development of these softwares
and evaluate if the new versions will benefit data management
within the DENR. If this is the case, the national data managers
suggest a nationwide software update to DENR management
and facilitate its implementation, once approved.
7.6. Supply information to support planning,

budgeting, and policy formulation processes on
forest protection
Forest protection is most effective when adequate resources
are available and properly planned, purposeful activities are
implemented, and an enabling policy environment exists. For
resources, activities, and policies to respond to needs, discussions
on the former must be informed by up-to-date field data.
The data managers at the national level should regularly update
national decision and policymakers on the forest protection

status in terms of patrol performance and actions taken to address
threats as well as their effectiveness. The data managers should
specifically inform decision-makers if data analysis implies
that adjustments in resource allocation or policy are needed to
increase effectiveness of forest protection.
34

Data Management
Response

MODULE 4
Response
Module 4: Response
A
Editorial Team:
Dr. Efrain Laureano
Ms. Denise Felix
Ms. Wynne Mancini
Writers:
Dr. Felix Gaschick
Manual. Module 4: Response.

MODULE 4
Response
Preface

ii

Protection System:
area plan
Module 4: Response

iii
Acronyms
Office
Natural Resources
NTFPs Non-timber forest products

Office
iv
Contents
Preface........................................................................... ii
Acronyms...................................................................... iv
Messages....................................................................... vi
1. Introduction................................................................1
2. Purpose of response....................................................1
3. Roles, responsibilities, and required skills.....................1
4. Threat-specific response protocols...............................5
5. General steps in responding to threats........................6
5.1. During regular patrols..........................................6
5.2. Responding to threats based on patrol
data analysis........................................................9
6. Developing response protocols..................................12
6.1. Identify top threats in your area.........................12
Module 4: Response
6.2. Define the purpose of the response protocol.....13

6.4. Prepare a process description that fleshes
out the contents of the process diagram............18
6.5 Identify opportunities for process improvement..19
v
Messages


Lawrence Hardy II
Module 4: Response
vii
Messages


viii
Module 4: Response


DENR Secretary
ix
1. Introduction
A response is an action taken that directly or indirectly reduces
or eliminates threats to the forests. It lies at the core of the
Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System. Competent
forest patrollers and DENR staff carry out responses during
regular patrols whenever they observe a person committing
an illegal act. These responses are mainly law enforcement and
awareness-raising. On the other hand, DENR staff, and, at times,
local government unit (LGU) staff, personnel of other agencies,
members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other
stakeholders implement responses after regular patrols when
patrol data analysis indicates areas with a high concentration of
threats (hotspots). These responses entail a broader set of actions;
these could include law enforcement, awareness-raising, policy
formulation and implementation, and development projects
offering opportunities that steer people away from destructive
livelihood activities in the forest.
2. Purpose of response
The purpose of response is to reduce and eventually eliminate
threats so that forest conditions can improve.
3. Roles, responsibilities, and required

Module 4: Response
skills
Responses take place primarily at the CENRO level, where forest
conservation areas are located and destructive activities occur.
However, in many cases, responses can also take place outside the
forest conservation area. For example, a woodlot project outside a
forest conservation area could provide a source of wood for local
people’s domestic use, eliminating their need to take wood from 1
the natural forest (Figure 1). People involved in activities that
destroy the forest usually reside in communities near but outside
forests. In some cases, the threat goes beyond the boundaries of a
CENRO’s jurisdiction and higher DENR units lead the response.
For example, illegally cut logs in one CENRO or province may
be transported to another CENRO or province, passing through
DENR checkpoints and transport terminal points. Here, higher
levels of DENR need to be involved, although the critical element
in the response is still effective patrolling at the source of the
extracted forest product.
Figure 1: Example of a response outside the forest conservation area
Woodlot project
Forest
Forest
Forest
2
As responses involve not only law enforcement, the overall
responsibility for reducing or eliminating threats to the forest
under a CENRO’s jurisdiction falls with the CENRO officer.
While the CENRO’s Enforcement Unit leads law enforcement-
related responses and the Conservation and Development Unit
manages development projects aimed at reducing threats, these
two units should work hand in hand to implement a coherent set
of actions informed by patrol data.
In addition to having the latest patrol data on the location and
severity of threats, key persons and different CENRO units need
knowledge and skills in carrying out varied aspects of response,
as shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Knowledge and skills required for effective response
Response Lead/ Additional required knowledge

aspect implementors and skills
Overall CENRO ■■ Familiarity with the

Coordination socioeconomic situation and its
of Responses impact on natural forests in the
area
■■ Knowledge of permits, tenure,
and related information
pertaining to natural forests
■■ Ability to deal and coordinate
with relevant local authorities in
Module 4: Response
relation to forest protection

■■ Knowledge of forestry laws and
regulations
■■ Ability to quickly decide and
mobilize CENRO teams to
respond to threats based
on analysis done by data
managers of patrol data on the
effectiveness of previous response 3
Law Enforcement ■■ The first three items listed

Enforcement Division under “Overall Coordination of
chief, forest Responses” above
patrollers ■■ Detailed knowledge of forestry
laws and regulations
■■ Knowledge of law enforcement-
related response protocols
■■ Experience in building cases
against suspected violators
■■ Knowledge of legal processes
involved in cases filed in court
Development Conservation ■■ The first three items listed

Projects and under “Overall Coordination of

Development Responses” above
Division ■■ Knowledge and experience of
chief, forest community development and
patrollers mobilization principles and
practice
■■ Knowledge of forestry laws and
regulations
■■ Knowledge of community
processes in generating
development ideas that do not
create incentives that produce
unintended consequences
■■ Knowledge of response protocols
related to development projects
■■ Ability to assess impact of
development projects on lives of
people in the community and on
threats to forests
4
Awareness- Whoever is ■■ The first three items listed

Raising assigned by under “Overall Coordination of
Activities CENRO, forest Responses” above
patrollers ■■ Knowledge of forestry laws and
regulations
■■ Knowledge of response protocols
related to awareness-raising
■■ Ability to design, implement,
and assess awareness-raising
campaigns aimed at reducing
threats to the forest
4. Threat-specific response protocols

To standardize response to threats and guide CENROs, forest
patrollers, and other relevant personnel, DENR formulated
response protocols that lay out actions to address the most
common threats to the forest. Each response protocol consists of
a purpose statement; process diagram; and a process description
detailing the steps, identifying the responsible persons, outlining
the relevant laws, and setting the timeframe for each step. In total,
Module 4: Response
there are 20 response protocols: 15 for threats during patrols and

five for threats based on patrol data analysis. The threat-specific
response protocols follow a common sequence, described in
Section 5.
5
5. General steps in responding to
threats
5.1. During regular patrols
Regular patrols, apart from preventing destructive activities in
forest conservation areas, directly address observed threats in
real time when it is safe to do so. The response protocols define
when it is safe to approach a person (also see Section 5.1.4) who is
seen and suspected of, engaging in an illegal activity that destroys
the forest. Importantly, regular patrols should not be confined
to recording threats. Forest patrollers can apprehend the person
caught in the act of committing the destructive activity, conduct
awareness-raising, or apprehend abandoned forest products to
later be subjected to DENR administrative proceedings.

The ultimate aim of implementing a response protocol is to
eventually eliminate or reduce a threat to the forest by achieving
a specific result, for example, bringing the apprehended person
to the proper authorities or delivering abandoned forest products
to the CENRO for administrative proceedings.
The steps in responding to threats during patrols are described
below.
5.1.1. Observe threat

Well-designed patrol plans lay out patrol routes where threats
are most likely to occur. Following these routes, the forest
patrollers actively seek activities that constitute threats to the
forest. Patrollers may either see, hear (e.g., chainsaw from afar),
or smell (e.g., smoke) threats. This observation triggers the
implementation of a response protocol.
6
5.1.2. Check if threat might be legal
In the majority of cases, threats observed are illegal. However,
each response protocol explains situations where the threats
could be legal. If the threat is legal, the forest patrollers still record
the threat, may conduct awareness-raising to those involved, and
continue their patrol. If the threat is illegal and the violators are
present, forest patrollers pause the patrol and determine whether
it is safe to approach.
5.1.3. Check if persons are present

In many cases, persons responsible for the destructive activity
are not present when the threat is observed. Here, the forest
patrollers observe either forest products left in the area or traces
of the threat, such as a tree stump. When patrollers observe only
traces of evidence, they document the threat using CyberTracker
and continue their patrol, as no other action is possible during
regular patrol. However, the CENRO and other stakeholders
address all documented threats after patrol data analysis.
If no one is present but forest products are left behind, forest
patrollers abort the patrol in order to transport or arrange
transport of the products to the nearest DENR seizure officer. At
DENR, the products are subjected to administrative proceedings.
If persons engaged in the destructive activity are present, forest
patrollers need to assess the safety situation before approaching
Module 4: Response
them.
5.1.4. Determine safety

DENR values the safety of its forest patrollers and enjoins them
to approach persons caught in the act of committing illegal and
destructive activities only when it is safe to do so. It is safe to
approach when the persons are not armed, the forest patrollers 7
outnumber them, and/or armed security forces are part of the
team conducting the forest patrol. In such cases, the forest
patrollers approach the persons, establish authority, and inform
them of the violation. However, “safe to approach” does not
necessarily mean “safe to apprehend.” It is not safe to apprehend
when the persons’ relatives and friends, especially if they are
armed with bolos or sticks, become hostile against the forest
patrollers who do not have armed security forces with them. In
such cases, the response protocols advise forest patrollers not to
insist in apprehending the persons. When the situation is unsafe,
forest patrollers only document the threat from a distance. With
the threat recorded, the patrollers continue the regular patrol.
After the patrol, they report the incident to the proper authorities.
5.1.5. Apprehend violator

When it is safe, patrollers abort their patrol and apprehend the

violators as laid out in Response Protocol 20.
5.1.6. Record implemented action

To determine if responses to reduce and eliminate threats are
successful, CENROs need to assess their effectiveness over
time. This includes statistical and spatial analysis of the actions
taken during regular patrols to address threats, trends in threats,
regeneration, and indicator species.1 Therefore, patrollers
record in CyberTracker those actions taken to address threats,
for analysis in SMART after the patrol. The response protocols
provide guidance on how responses are recorded at specific
points during regular patrol.
8 1 See Module 3: Data Management.

5.2. Responding to threats based on patrol data
analysis
Responses can be effective only if informed by patrol data and
anchored on conservation targets. Three factors are critical for
informing responses: 1) data on patrol coverage and intensity; 2)
analysis of the number and spatial distribution of threats observed
in relation to forest cover; and 3) actions taken so far during regular
patrols. Response protocols for addressing threats after analyzing
patrol data are less prescriptive and consist of fewer protocols since
actions are based on the specific context afforded by the data and
other information. These responses could include development
projects and awareness-raising campaigns that complement
environmental law enforcement. It is crucial that these responses
do not create incentives that produce unintended consequences,
that is, inadvertently involve people in seemingly benign activities
that do more harm to the forests. For example, an inappropriate
incentive would be providing livelihood opportunities to recidivist
violators of environmental laws and giving tenure to people inside
forest conservation areas that would encourage them to engage in
extractive livelihood activities.
Response protocols based on analysis of patrol data follow a
common sequence, described below.
5.2.1. Analyze threats

Module 4: Response
Analysis of threats help CENROs identify hotspots where actions

to address threats are urgent for achieving conservation targets.
A hot spot can be due to a concentration of a single type of threat
or of multiple threats. To aid in determining appropriate actions,
predesigned queries and reports in SMART provide information
on the percentage distribution of top threats observed during a
specified period and the spatial distribution of observed threats.2
2 See Module 3: Data Management.
9
These queries and reports in SMART can also inform actions
taken during regular patrols and identify the spatial distribution
of threats where no actions have been taken. In sum, CENROs
prioritize those threats that overlap with forest areas crucial in
achieving conservation targets.
5.2.2. Choose appropriate response protocol and

implement
With priority hotspots identified, CENROs can choose the
appropriate response protocol. There are five response protocols
based on analysis of patrol data. One response protocol (Process
Diagram 15) is general in approach and covers all types of
threats. The other four protocols are threat-specific, covering hut
or house and other infrastructure, garbage, invasive species, and
mining/quarrying and road/trail construction.
General approach. Under the general approach, maps of

identified hotspots are overlaid with other information such as
poverty levels and location of existing and planned development
projects, roads, and other infrastructure to determine if a
development approach would complement environmental law
enforcement. Overall, a development project complements
environmental law enforcement if the people in the area where
the threats are observed are very poor, no development project
has been implemented there, and the development project will
not create inappropriate incentives (e.g., recidivist violators are
rewarded instead of punished).
If the analysis suggests that a development project would not
be helpful, a team composed mainly of Enforcement Division
staff, visits the local community in the target area several times
to further investigate until they identify the suspects and collect
evidence. The team prepares an investigation report and submits
10 it to the CENRO for further action.
If the analysis suggests that a development project would
complement environmental law enforcement, a team composed
of representatives from different units of the CENRO (especially,
Enforcement and Conservation and Development) visits the
target area to conduct community meetings and explore possible
development projects to implement. The units work hand in
hand and involve other government agencies and NGOs that
can help in raising awareness among the local community on the
importance of forests and in providing livelihood options to forest-
dependent people. This also entails an element of community
development. In parallel, a team from the Enforcement Division
investigates to identify suspects and collect evidence, and then
prepares an investigation report for submission to the CENRO
for further action.
Threat-specific approach. The response protocols on the four
other threats enumerated above also require multi-unit teams to
visit local communities in the target areas to further investigate
and make specific recommendations on how to address the threats
observed. This entails coordination with other agencies directly
responsible for managing a specific type of threat, for example, the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the provincial government for
mining-related threats and LGUs for threats related to garbage.
5.2.3. Record implemented action

Module 4: Response
As with assessing actions taken to address threats during regular

patrols, it is important to assess the effectiveness of responses
carried out based on patrol data analysis. The CENRO and the
data manager ensure that the data on actions are recorded so
their effectiveness can be analyzed.
11
6. Developing response protocols
A response protocol is essentially a set of standardized processes
with a defined purpose, process map, descriptions of tasks,
assignment of responsibilities, and timeframe for completing
tasks. It guides forest patrollers, CENROs, and other personnel
on how to safely and effectively address observed threats.
Response protocols also help CENROs and managers at the
higher levels of DENR to identify opportunities to improve the
process of addressing threats. Therefore, response protocols are
living documents to be reviewed regularly for any improvements.
The steps below describe the process of developing a response
protocol. Knowing this process enables those involved in
implementing responses in their respective forest conservation
areas to review and recommend updates on existing response
protocols to the Central Office of DENR.

As responses to threats require a broad set of actions, a team
of representatives from different CENRO units — instead of
Enforcement Division members only — should develop or
review response protocols. The steps in developing a response
protocol are described below.
6.1. Identify top threats in your area

By the time response protocols need review, CENROs will
already have a lot of information on observed threats. The data
managers prepare a report that shows the top threats observed
in the CENROs, combined with the number and types of actions
taken to address them during regular patrols. This should also
include reports on responses implemented after regular patrols
that are relevant to these top threats, to aid in prioritizing threats
for response protocol review or development.
12
6.2. Define the purpose of the response protocol
The purpose guides the team members on where to begin, where
to end, and what to include in determining the process of a
response. Importantly, defining the purpose of the protocol is
the first step before mapping the sequence of steps. Specifically,
the purpose outlines the outcome or end result of the process,
enumerates the tasks involved in achieving the outcome, and
identifies the key persons involved in carrying out the steps.
Purpose statement
The aim of this process is to map the tasks that Forest Patrollers
need to take when they observe harvesting, gathering, collection,
or possession of forest products (both timber and non-timber), or
charcoal production during forest patrols where the person is caught
committing, about to commit, or has committed the act and it is safe to
approach the person. It also outlines the tasks that other actors in the
local DENR need to perform. At the end of this process, the observed
threat should have been recorded, and if there is probable cause to
apprehend, the cut trees and/or collected/gathered Non-timber forest
products (NTFPs), tools, implements, equipment, and conveyance used
if possible delivered to the nearest Seizure Officer (CENRO, PENRO or
the Regional Director whoever is nearest to the place of apprehension)
or arrangement for delivery made; the logs/NTFPs, tools, conveyance,
etc. are subjected to administrative proceedings and the person caught
brought to the authorities for criminal proceedings. The ultimate
objective of this process is to stop and deter further illegal tree
cutting, illegal NTFPs collection including charcoal production sourcing
Module 4: Response
materials from forests so that the forest can recover or be maintained.
13
6.3. Start by developing or reviewing a process
map
To develop the response protocol, CENROs, forest patrollers, and
other personnel involved start by creating process maps, using a
standard set of symbols. This encourages discussion, visualizes
the process, and aids in identifying options in the logical sequence
of steps. As shown in the chart below, a process map consists of
a trigger; tasks, indicating those that either require an action or
documentation via a single report or multiple reports; decision
points, and a terminator.
Symbol Definition
An observation made by forest patrollers that

Start prompts the start of the response process.
A task that requires an action.

Task
A task that requires the patrollers to make a

decision. The outcome of the team’s deliberation
Decision
should result in a “Yes” or “No” decision. For
example, “Is it safe to approach the person or
not?” If the decision is “Yes,” then the next
step/task is “Pause the patrol” to approach the
person. If the decision is “No,” then the next step/
task could be to “Continue the patrol.” It is not
possible that some members of the team choose
“Yes” and the other members decide “No.” When
team members disagree, the patrol team leader
makes the decision.
14
Symbol Definition
A task that requires writing a report or completing

Task requiring a single form.
one document
A task that requires writing several reports or

Task requiring completing several forms.
several
documents
Signifies the end of the process.

Stop
The steps in crafting process maps are described below:
6.3.1. Identify the trigger of the process

A trigger is an observation made by forest patrollers that prompts
them to start the response process for a particular threat. An
example of a trigger would be “cutting of trees along the patrol
route observed.” At this point, a response process has already been
laid out for the identified top threats and therefore the triggers
already have been determined. In such a case, forest patrollers
Module 4: Response
review the existing trigger to determine if there are new situations

observed related to it that have not yet been reflected in the
response protocol. For instance, the existing protocols have three
specific situations for the trigger “cutting of trees”: 1) tree cutter
caught in the act and it is safe to approach; 2) tree cutter in the area
but it is not safe to approach; 3) tree cutter no longer in the area, but
forest products harvested are left and abandoned. Each requires a
different sequence of steps to effectively address the threat. 15
6.3.2. Identify the sequence of steps (or tasks) that
need to be taken
Once the trigger has been determined, the forest patrollers
identify the sequence of steps needed to address the threat, given
the particular situation surrounding the observation.
As noted above, Lawin uses CyberTracker to record observations
and actions during regular patrols. These records are critical
to spatial and statistical analysis that will be performed later.
CyberTracker-related tasks therefore are essential in the process
diagram. To organize the sequence of steps, it helps to use a white
board or metacards. Ask the team what they think should be the
next step/task following an identified trigger, write this on the
white board or a metacard and post on a whiteboard, and link it
by drawing an arrow from the trigger to the identified next step.
Once the trigger and the first step are written on the board and
can be seen by all, confirm with team members if they think the
sequence looks logical. Repeat the process of writing the next
step on a whiteboard or a metacard posted on a whiteboard,
drawing an arrow to link previous and next step until the end of
the sequence. Number each task so that it can be cross-referenced
with the process description that will be prepared later. In this
way, the team builds the chain of tasks step by step until each
team member agrees that this chain will achieve the process
map’s intended purpose.
6.3.3. Formulate decision points in the process using

binary questions
Some tasks require forest patrollers to make a decision on an
issue that is formulated as binary questions. Binary questions
have only two possible answers, usually “Yes” and “No.” Here
are some examples of binary questions in the Lawin response
16 protocols:
■■ Is the person safe to approach?
■■ Does the person have a permit?
■■ Is the activity permitted under the law?
■■ Will the local government accept custody of abandoned
forest product?
■■ Is the wildlife caught within its habitat fit for release?
Team decisions should be unanimous. When team members
disagree, the patrol team leader makes the decision. The sequence
of steps/tasks after a decision should also be laid out for both
sides of the decision. One process diagram may have several
decision points, with several binary branches.
Off-Page As a rule of thumb, a process diagram should fit

Process on a letter-size page. If this is not possible, an
Connector off-page connector should be used to indicate
continuation to another page.
The substantial part of the process diagram that was transferred
to another page should be given another name or number, for
example “Process Diagram 2,” and should be cross-referenced
with the process diagram, for example, “see Process Diagram 2
for continuation.”
6.3.4. Determine when the process stops

Module 4: Response
The sequence of steps stops once the team agrees the steps will
achieve the purpose of the process. For example, if the purpose of
the process is to deliver an abandoned forest product to a seizure
officer so that administrative proceedings on it can begin, then
the process stops once the product is with the Seizure Officer.
The end of a process diagram should be indicated by the trigger/
terminator symbol with the word “Stop” inside.
17
6.4. Prepare a process description that fleshes out
the contents of the process diagram
A process diagram needs to fit onto a page so that its users see
the entire process at a glance. However, very limited information
can be fleshed out on a single page. To flesh out all the tasks,
decisions points, and forms required for the process, a process
description should complement the process diagram. The process
description should contain the following information (Table 2):
Table 3: Contents of a process description
Information Description
Identification The number assigned to a specific step in the

number process diagram for easy cross-referencing.
Process elements The steps/tasks in the process diagram. To avoid

confusion, the wording used in the process diagram
should be exactly the same as that used in the
process description.
Description Presents what the step/task entails. In some cases,

relevant environmental laws are explained to guide
forest patrollers on possible violations committed.
Person responsible Identifies the person/s responsible for carrying out

the task or leading in carrying out the task. In some
cases, the entire team is responsible for carrying out
a task.
Forms to complete Lawin aims to minimize, if not completely eradicate,

the need to use paper-based forms. However, some
paper forms are still needed; for example, some are
needed in filing cases against violators.
Timeframe The length of time needed to complete the task.

18
6.5 Identify opportunities for process
improvement
Reviewing the response protocols enables resource managers
to identify opportunities to improve ways to address threats to
natural forests. Specifically, resource managers can determine:
■■ Critical missing elements needed to make the response
more effective. For example, informing the CENRO
by phone immediately of a kaingin where there is an
ongoing fire would enable the Bureau of Fire Protection
to respond instead of waiting for the patrol to be
completed before doing so.
■■ Specific steps in the process diagrams that somehow ‘‘get
stuck.” An example of action steps getting stalled due to
specific issues encountered include:
◊ Difficulty in transporting abandoned illegally cut logs
◊ Refusal of local government officials to accept custody
of illegally harvested forest products
◊ Relatives of apprehended violator becoming hostile
to the forest patrollers.
◊ Absence of phone signals that prevent calls for backup
from the police and other authorities
■■ Unnecessary steps that can be avoided to speed up
Module 4: Response
the process. For example forest patrollers sometimes

feel compelled to bring an apprehended person to the
barangay officials which can cause delay in taking the
violator to the police for inquest within the prescribed
reglementary period.
CENROs can address some of these issues by recommending
a revision to the response protocol, but other issues require a
more comprehensive set of actions and do not require modifying
19
the process diagram. For example, the issue with difficulty in
transporting illegally cut logs could be a problem related to lack
of funds for transport. In this case, the solution is not a change
in the response protocol, but the inclusion of funds for transport
in the budget.
However, if CENROs see areas for improvement, they can make
recommendations to their respective regional directors, who will
then discuss these with the central office of DENR. However, to
make changes in the response protocols, CENROs need to clear
revisions with the DENR Central Office. A revised response
protocol requires a review at the national level.
20

Data Management
Response


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The Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System Manual

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Production by Chemonics International Inc.

Manual Design, Graphics, and Art Direction: Mr. Ramir E. Recinto

Copies available from: DENR Forest Management Bureau.

forests is an urgent priority.

How to Use the Lawin Manual

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

LGU Local Government Unit

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

At USAID, we believe that conservation of our

USAID believes that responsible stewardship of

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Our forests support our ecosystems. They

food and an important source of income and

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Gen. Roy Agullana Cimatu, AFP (Ret.)

2. Roles and Responsibilities

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

1 The term CENRO refers to implementing PENROs where applicable.

4. Steps of Forest Conservation Area

it falls within protected areas or any tenure instrument (Figure 1).

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

slope is steep rather than noting a certain value in percentage

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Forest, Montane Forest, Ultramafic Forest)?

Forest Formation Common species

Mangrove forests Bakauan (Rhizophora apiculata), Bakauan babai (R.

Beach forests Botong (Barringtonia asiatica), Bitaog (Calophyllum

Tropical lowland Lauan, Lauan-hagakhak, Yakal-lauan

Tropical semi- White lauan (Shorea contorta), Apitong

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Tropical lower Tanguile (Shorea polysperma), species of oaks

Tropical upper Malasulasi (Leptospermum flavescens), Igem

Tropical subalpine Halcon igem (Podocarpus glaucus), Binaton

Freshwater Yanipo (Terminalia copelandii), Sago (Metroxylon

Peat swamp Bayuno (Mangifera caesia), Kamandiis (Garcinia

Forest over Tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea), Ipil (Intsia bijuga),

parviflora), Taluto (Pterocymbium tinctorium),

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

For example, conservation targets for the forest ecosystem can be

General Conservation Targets Location-specific Conservation Targets

Closed Forest Open Forest

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

e. Describe the desired future forest condition

The desired future forest condition describes the state of the

12 3 See Module 2 and 4 of this manual.

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

4 See Module 2 of this manual.

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

g. Identify organizational collaboration and

5. Forest Conservation Area Plan

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

Recommended approach for the completion of

1. Answer the guidance questions.

Map showing the CENRO forest conservation area

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

1. Where within the CENRO’s area is the natural forest located?

Example for this section:

1. What is the forest formation (e.g., tropical lowland evergreen

Example for this section:

Module 1: Forest Conservation Area Planning

The forest cover is particularly degraded in the lower portions near

For formulating the conservation objectives, focus on the benefits,