Vol. 8 No. 4 July-August 2014 Bimonthly issue

INSIDE: 2 Seminar on Sustainable Management and Utilization of Bamboo Resources for ASEAN Countries in China 4 Bamboo technical assistance extended to Dinalupihan 4 ERDB partners with B+WISER to harmonize guidelines on mangrove and beach forests development and management 5 First Division Youth for Environment Summit in Basco, Batanes 6 Levelling-off Workshop on the Enhanced Gender Analysis Tools and GAD Road Map held 8 ERDB staff conducts valuation assessment

ERDB and SUCs revisit agreement on National Greening Program’s quality seedlings

T he DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Forest

Management Bureau, and 21 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) gathered in a midyear discussion at Kimberly Hotel, Manila on August 10-11 to fortify their quality seedling commitment for the National Greening Program (NGP).

The DENR, through ERDB, has already forged partnership with 21 SUCs by a memorandum of agreement (MOA) since 2011. Based on the MOA, the former provided P3.5M per SUC for the establishment and operation of a clonal nursery

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S triving to produce more relevant and timely issues

of Sylvatrop, the Sylvatrop Editorial Board (SEB), the governing body on Sylvatrop, convened last July 3-4, 2014 at Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga to thresh out new issues and concerns. Since 1976, Sylvatrop, The Technical Journal on Philippine Ecosystems and Natural Resources serves as the main vehicle in documenting and disseminating research outputs on ecosystems,

Sylvatrop Journal: stands anew

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Left photo: Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, ERDB Director, with a copy of the DENR–State Universities and Colleges (SUC) memorandum of agreement. Right photo: The four of 12 SUC presidents present in the meeting viz. Dr. Editha Magallanes, Dr. Rogelio Artajo, Dr. Max Guillermo and Dr. Honorio Soriano, Jr.

Group photo during the Sylvatrop Editorial Board (SEB) Workshop last July 3-4, 2014 at Lewis Grand Hotel, Angeles City, Pampanga. Present during workshop is Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Executive Adviser of the SEB and ERDB OIC Director; Dr. Antonio M. Daño, Chair of SEB and ERDB Assistant Director; and SEB members from FMB, LMB, EMB, NAMRIA, HRDS, and OSEC.

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complex while the latter agreed to produce at least 60,000 seedlings of superior quality for NGP on a yearly basis. “The DENR is banking on the technical competency of SUCs to ensure that quality seedlings will be produced for the NGP,” said Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, ERDB Director. Researches on production of quality planting materials were presented in the meeting by Central Mindanao University (CMU), Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), and Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST). Presidents of Capiz State University, CMU, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, SLSU, University of Antique, University of Southern Mindanao, Apayao State College, Guimaras State College, Kalinga Apayao State College, SPAMAST, and Tarlac College of Agriculture joined the discussion. Vice presidents and campus directors of Bohol Island State University, University of Antique, Bulacan Agricultural State College, GSC and SPAMAST were also present. Meanwhile, Aklan State University, Bicol University, Caraga State University, Central Philippines State University, Isabela State University, West Visayas State University, and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology sent representatives to present the status and accomplishments of their clonal

ERDB and SUCs revisit … from page 1 nurseries and seedling production. Also in the meeting were ERDB’s Regional Technical Directors for Research from all regions, ERDB Assistant Director Antonio M. Daño, NGP-PQPM Assistant National Coordinator Angelito B. Exconde, Consultant Celso P. Diaz, ERDB technical staff, FMB Forester Remedios Evangelista, and NGP Central Office Forester Teresa Aquino. Current technical, financial and administrative concerns related to DENR-SUC agreement and clonal nursery operations were tackled in the activity. (with a report from Kimberly Zarah P. Bejo) Mheda G. Garcia, NGP-PQPM

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natural resources, and related fields. It has already produced 32 issues of Sylvatrop containing articles on forestry, biodiversity, ecosystems, pollution, and many other emerging topics on environment and natural resources (ENR). For 38 years, Sylvatrop has established its scientific circles locally and internationally. It has proven its worth as a reference material on various topics on environment and natural resources in the Philippines as manifested by its various subscribers not just in the Philippines but also in other countries such as United Kingdom, United States of America and India. With the new and revised guidelines, plans and targets, the Board is expecting to gather more articles from contributors, especially from DENR

employees based on their completed projects, researches and/or theses and dissertations. For 2015, more activities will be conducted to encourage contributors and to promote Sylvatrop, as a reference material for researchers, students, professors, policy makers and other users of scientific information on ENR. The Bureaus and Attached agencies working as SEB are: Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Forest Management Bureau (FMB), Lands Management Bureau (LMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), Human Resource Development Service (HRDS) of DENR, Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). Adreana Santos-Remo, TDD

Sylvatrop Journal… from page 1

T he Seminar on Sustainable Management and Utilization of Bamboo Resources was held from

June 18 – July 18, 2014 in Beijing, China. It was organized by the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR) and International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM). The seminar consists of 24 participants from different parts of the world including

Seminar on Sustainable Management and

Utilization of Bamboo Resources for

ASEAN Countries in China

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The recent bamboo training assisted by DENR-ERDB in Dinalupihan, Bataan gathers 102 trainees including the Aytas and Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia (in white, seated 6th from right). Insets: a rehabilitated stand of Kawayan Tinik and potted cuttings as training outputs.

D inalupihan, Bataan, a town which specializes in the manufacture of “sawali” or bamboo

mats, was the venue of bamboo training assisted by the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) on August 5-6.

The training centered on nursery and plantation technology, and catered to 102 Dinalupihan residents including farmers, local government unit personnel, and 13 Aytas from Barangays Payangan and Tubo-Tubo.

Training facilitators and resource persons were Mr. Angelito B. Exconde of DENR-ERDB and Dr. Edmundo B. Baccay of Tarlac College of Agriculture.

“Sawali is our OTOP (one town one product) but our production of bamboo is not widespread yet,” said Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia. “Mas maganda kung sa atin galing ang raw materials.”

Towards the end, the lady mayor said the town’s three ancestral domains of indigenous peoples are potential sites of bamboo nursery. Possible plantation sites of bamboo will also be included in the crafting of Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Dinalupihan.

The activity is in line with the Bataan Bamboo Industry Development, a collaborative project of the Department of Trade and Industry, DENR, Department of Science and Technology, and other concerned government agencies. Mheda B. Garcia, NGP-PQPM

Note: The term ‘Aytas’ was agreed upon by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Aytas several years ago. This is now the preferred name although it is not as widely used as ‘Aetas’ -- National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz. Hence, the use of Aytas in this article.

Bamboo technical assistance extended to Dinalupihan

Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal. There are different topics covered during the seminar. These include: Development Plan for China’s Bamboo Industries, Status and Industrial Policies of Bamboo Resources, Cultivation and Marketing, Sustainable Management of Bamboo

Forests, Growth and Practice of Bamboo Based Panels, Overview and Prospects of Bamboo Fibers, Bamboo Preservation, Growth and Commoditization of Bamboo Building Materials, Manufacturing Techniques and Application of Bamboo Charcoal, Benefits of Bamboo Forests, and Trade Facilitation for Bamboo and Rattan.

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ERDB partners with B+WISER to harmonize guidelines on mangrove and beach forests

development and management

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) together with the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER), a project designed and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), spearheaded the conduct of the National Workshop: Harmonizing the Guidelines on Mangrove and Beach Forests Development and Management held on June 26-27, 2014 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila. Speakers and participants came from DENR agencies, namely ERDB, Forest Management Bureau (FMB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Land Management Bureau (LMB), Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), regional and provincial offices, B+WISER, private organizations, academe and research institutions, and other government agencies. Head officials of the participating organizations and agencies in the National Workshop: Harmonizing the Guidelines on Mangrove and Beach Forests Development and Management. The presenters talked about success stories, assessments of Yolanda’s impact on mangrove and beach forests, lessons learned from

mangrove rehabilitation, livelihood scheme for mangrove communities, and the initiatives of the local government units in the rehabilitation. On the second day of the workshop, the participants were grouped into five for the critiquing of the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development and Management (MBDM) Guidelines. The break-out sessions focused on 1) general implementing mechanism (stakeholders involvement and procurement services); 2) site assessment, rehabilitation, development, and management of mangrove and beach forests; 3) capability, sustainability, and institutional development; 4) monitoring and evaluation-cum-action research and development; and 5) fishpond and beach areas for mangrove rehabilitation and establishment of green belt barrier. The workshop aimed to refine the sections of the guidelines for Mangrove and Beach Forest Development and Management that ERDB, with inputs from BMB and FMB, and B+WISER have drafted. ERDB and the partner organizations and agencies hoped that the MBDM Guidelines will serve as an effective tool in sustainable development and management of mangrove and beach forests in the country. Jobelle Mae L. Zuraek, TDD

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T he DENR Youth Desk Training Team spearheaded the First Division Youth for

Environment Summit (YES) in Basco, Batanes on May 15-17, 2014. The team was composed of the energetic, quick-witted and talented youth coordinators from DENR SCO, ERDB, MGB, LMB, NAMRIA, Regions 2 & 4A joined the summit. The summit was held at the Batanes National Science High School, Basco, Batanes for the secondary level and Batanes Central School for the elementary level which are adjacent schools. The summit’s objectives were to: 1) understand environmental problems through ecological learning and learn their roles on how these problems will be addressed; 2) encourage pupils’ and students’ active participation and determined concrete action in the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of the environment; 3) instill environmental values in every pupil and student to motivate actual involvement in worthwhile programs, projects and activities for the environment; and 4) develop pupils’ and students’ deeper awareness on the state of the environment, focusing on significant issues and concerns. A total of 422 participants (372 pupils/students and 50 teachers) from 8 secondary schools and 18 elementary schools from the islands of Batan, Sabtang and Ibayat participated in the summit.

Youth Desk Officer (YDO) Vienna O. Austria presenting the mechanics for the debate session.

The students participating in the water olympics.

First Division Youth for Environment Summit in Basco, Batanes

Everyone in the DENR Youth Desk Training Team was multi tasked of being a resource speaker, trainor and facilitator during the summit. Lectures on the different ecosystems from ridge to reef, climate change, geological hazards and environmental leadership were shared by the different resource persons.

The 3-day activity comprised of lectures, games, poster making, debate, role playing/skit contest, speech choir, film viewing and the YES planning session. The lectures imparted to the participants include topics on: a) environmental leadership; b) forest for life; c) climate change; d) water resources and risks; e) island biodiversity; f) ocean life; and g) geohazard. On the other hand, the water Olympic games include the water race, water crossing and the water limbo. The game “geo pinoy henyo” focused on questions about geohazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods and the like. The topic debated for the debate session was “Are you in favor of Batanes becoming an ecotourism destination”. The keynote speaker was Hon. Demetrius Paul C. Narag, Municipal Mayor of Basco, Batanes. In his message to the participants Mayor Narag said, “The youth specifically the pupils and students are recognized as partners

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T he ERDB GAD Focal Point System (GADFPS) members

convened at One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites, Tagaytay City on August 14-15, 2014 for the “Levelling-off Workshop on the Enhanced Gender Analysis Tools and GAD Road Map (2015-2017)” and the Work and Financial Committee Plan for CY 2015. ERDB OIC Director Portia G. Lapitan, in her welcome remarks said, “We are in the process of raising the level of awareness on the welfare of our fellow women for them to realize the issues affecting them.” Dir. Lapitan further said, “Since we are preparing the GAD roadmap, please try to include women outside of the bureau and all the women that we need to serve which is expected of us by the DENR.” Mrs. Veronica O. Sinohin, Chair of the Training, Evaluation and Special Events Committee explained the mechanics of the workshop, expected outputs including the schedule of lectures and schedule of activities for the 2-day workshop. Dr. Marilyn Landicho, ERDB GAD Focal Point explained the topic on Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF). She explained the meaning of gender mainstreaming. She also tackled the entry points of gender mainstreaming. The enabling mechanisms, programs, activities and projects were also discussed. Dr. Landicho also tackled the assessment of gender-responsiveness. She also explained the 5 stages of gender mainstreaming. Lastly, she gave the meaning of GMEF which she said is a tool to track and assess program of gender mainstreaming activities. Dr. Carmelita L. Villamor, GADFPS Technical Adviser explained the harmonized GAD

Guidelines including the guidelines context, principles, rationale and project design. Mr. Juan B. Ebora, Chair of the GADFPS Monitoring and Evaluation Committee explained the vision of ERDB which is parallel to the logframe of the DENR. He said, “We need to develop a logframe for the gender and development program and we need to mainstream all the RDE activities and projects and all the technologies available.” The participants were divided into 2 groups. Each group was required to discuss and present the preparation of the DENR-GAD Road Map and ERDB-GAD Work and Financial Plan for 2015-2017 including the proposed activities of each committee for the coming years. The timeline of activities were lined up from August-Sept. 2014. The activities include the GMEF and HGDG of ERDB personnel log frame of the GAD Program, preparation and submission of proposals, and monitoring and evaluation of projects. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

Levelling-off Workshop on the Enhanced Gender Analysis Tools and GAD Road Map held

Dr. Marilyn Q. Landicho, ERDB GAD Focal Point explains the topic on Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) during “Levelling-off Workshop on the Enhanced Gender Analysis Tools and GAD Road Map (2015-2017)” held in One Tagaytay Hotel, Tagaytay City on August 14-15, 2014.

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in the conservation and preservation of the environment. They are in the process of being educated and are receptive of what they have learned. Without the cooperation of the youth sector, efforts to save the environment will go into futility even if there are enough funds and support will be provided by the government.” Mayor Narag also mentioned that Ivatans, (natives of Batanes), are already adapted to climate change even before the olden times, i.e. the Ivatan stone houses were built to form very thick bricks and stones, water harvesting technology was practiced in pasture areas. Traditionally, they are very resilient and are used to eating camote and banana shoots especially during typhoon months when all the crops are being destroyed by strong winds

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From Left to Right: Basco Mayor Demetrius Paul C. Narag, DENR-PENRO Batanes For. George Reyes and the princi-pal of Batanes National High school graced the opening program of the Environment Summit.

Awarding of certificates to the Environment Summit facili-tators and resource speakers.

and rains. These Ivatan practices are not known in other areas because they are not written and documented. Lastly, Mayor Narag told the students and teachers to apply what they have learned and to influence others on what they learned during the Youth Environmental Summit (YES). The last day of the summit was the closing program. An elementary pupil and a high school student were tasked to give their personal impressions on the summit. A male student led the Panata sa Kalikasan. Certificates of participation and appreciation and tokens were given to all the participants, facilitators and resource speakers. Prizes were also given to winners in the different activities. Ms. Maria Magnolia Q. Danganan was also tasked to assess and evaluate the 3-day summit. Romana A. Mauricio, FERD

As part of the seminar, the participants visited bamboo and rattan laboratories and an exhibition hall managed by INBAR and ICBR. The laboratories feature high technology equipment on bamboo. The staff in the laboratories are very well trained and knowledgeable. The facilities reflect the huge importance being given by China on the bamboo and rattan industries in their country. The laboratories are also being used by graduate students in forestry for research and development. The participants also visited the Zhejiang province

Seminar on Sustainable Management… from page 3 known for its bamboo forests and industries. This was done for almost one week. Based on the observations during the trip, bamboo was commonly used as an ornamental plant along the road in some parts of the province. This implies that the bamboos in China are not only used in the industry but are also used for beautification purposes. It was amazing to see that the bamboo forests are well maintained and protected. There are cameras installed in the bamboo plantation. It is connected to the concerned office and is used to monitor the

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Executive Advisers : Portia G. Lapitan Antonio M. Daño Editorial Adviser : Veronica O. Sinohin Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay Layout : Liberato A. Bacod Circulation : Eduardo M. Tolentino Photographer : Gino S. Laforteza

Vol. 8 No. 4 July-August 2014

Contribution from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo dated Aug. 31, 2007.The ERDB Info Journal is produced bimonthly in coordination with all Offices, Divisions and Units of the ERDB.

growth of bamboos. Watering of the bamboo is highly mechanized and is being done regularly . The industries that were visited ranged from small to large establishments which include handicraft, charcoal, curtains, mats, plywood, flooring, and food products. It was evident from the visit that the bamboo industries provide employment opportunities at the community level. Finally, it is also significant to note that China maximizes the utilization of bamboo. The bamboo industries complement each other by using the waste materials no longer needed by a particular industry. Hence, the bamboo resources are not being put into waste thereby maximizing the profit and reducing the production cost which contributes to the overall economy of China. Lynlei L. Pintor, UFERD

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ERDB staff conducts valuation assessment

A survey on how the people perceive the value of the community forest in Tigum-Aganan Rivers in

the Province of Iloilo, Region 6 and Manupali watershed in Bukidnon, R-10 were conducted by Dr. Aurora Jose, Ms. Marciana Orobia, Ms. Karen Rae Fortus and Ms. Rose Ann Martinez of the Forest Ecosystem Research Division on July 21 to 27, 2014. This study was part of the activities of the R & D program on Vulnerability Assessment as basis in the formulation of adaptation strategies and approaches relative to the impacts of climate change and development on the integrated watershed management plan infusing the ecosystem services. Respondents of the study were the local people aged 60 years old and above. They were assumed to have

Dr. Jose conducting one-on-one personal interview residing at Tigum-Aganan, Maasin, Iloilo (left). Ms. Karen Mae Fortuz and Ms Rose Ann Martinez facilitated the focus group discussion from group of senior citizens residing at Manupali watershed, Bukidnon (right).

accumulated knowledge and experience over the years regarding the surrounding environment for the conservation and management of the forest in their community/village. The respondents were interviewed from the group of senior citizens residing directly in the barangays surrounding the Tigum-Aganan rivers and Manupali watershed. A total of 163 sample respondents were randomly selected in which 106 were from Tigum-Aganan and 57 were from Manupali watersheds. Data collected include the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. The respondents were asked about how they value the trees in their community/village forests in the context of ecosystem services such as support, provisioning, regulating and cultural aspects. Key informant interviews of barangay officials and Municipal/City Environment and Natural Resources officers and focus group discussions were also conducted to provide supplementary data/information on the surrounding environment and natural resources for the conservation and management of the forest Aurora S. Jose and Karen Mae Fortus, FERD.