Guide to Local Conservation Area (LCA) Management Planning

Suggested Citation: UNDP-GEF-BMB NewCAPP. 2014. Guide to Local Conservation Area (LCA) Management
Planning. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Global Environmental Facility (GEF) –
Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) – New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP),
Quezon City, Philippines

Published with assistance from Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF) Month and
year of publication: October 2014.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP and GEF.

Lead Writers: Forester Rodolfo V. Aragon, Floradema C. Eleazar, and Maria Theresa V. Espino-Yap

Technical Contributors:
Dr. Edwino Fernando (UP Los Banos); Minerva Martinez (DENR III); Dr. Perry Ong (UP Institute of Biology);
Policarpio Najera and Cora Marie Pugal (DENR I); Arnulfo Hernandez (DENR IV-A); Crisostomo Badeo,Jr.,
Marissa Solite, Brenda Zamora, and Gamaliel Burgos (DENR VIII); Al Orolfo, Mardione delos Reyes, and
Melchor Ruel Samago (DENR VII); May Ybanez, Renato de Rueda, and Justin Briones (CBCFI); Andre Jon
Uychiaco (GIZ- PAME Program); Dr. Zita Toribio (USAID- B+WISER Program); Jose Don de Alban, Christian
Supsup, and Nevong Puna (FFI); Jim Monge (Haribon Foundation); Errol Gatumbato and Lea-Jim Villanueva
(PBCFI); and Atty. Alton Durban
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

MODULE 1. Orientation on Local Conservation Areas 5

MODULE 2. Situational Analysis 21

MODULE 2a. Biodiversity Assessment 22
MODULE 2b. Identification, Mapping, and Validation of Conservation Targets 29
MODULE 2c. Threats and Resources Analysis; Gender Analysis 34
MODULE 2d. Identification of Conservation Actions 39

MODULE 3. LCA Management Plan Formulation 41

MODULE 3a. Setting Conservation Vision, Goals, Objectives, Performance Target Setting 42
MODULE 3b. Financial Planning 47

MODULE 4. Plan Legitimization 51

MODULE 5. Plan Implementation 53

 TABLES, BOXES, FIGURES AND ANNEXES

TABLES

Table 1. LCA Management Planning Modules 2

Table 2. Contents of LCA Training Modules 3
Table 3. Training Schedule for Module 1 6
Table 4. Comparison of Critical Habitat and LCAs 10
Table 5. Suggested Template for Action Planning under Module 1 14
Table 6. Suggested Program for Full-blown Biodiversity Assessment 22
Table 7. Suggested Program for Rapid Biodiversity Assessment 23
Table 8. Comparative Analysis of Full-blown and Rapid Biodiversity Assessment 24
Table 9. Suggested Summary Table to Present Findings on Floral Studies 24
Table 10. Suggested Summary Table to Present Findings on Faunal Studies 25
Table 11. Suggested Summary Table to Present Ecosystem Services and Resource Users 25
Table 12. Suggested Summary Table on Identified Biodiversity Threats 25
Table 13. Workshop 1 Template for Assessing Flora Diversity in Area 26
Table 14. Workshop 2 Template for Assessing Fauna Diversity in Area 26
Table 15. FGD-updated Biodiversity Data: Floral Species 27
Table 16. FGD-updated Biodiversity Data: Fauna Species 27
Table 17. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 2b: Identification, Mapping, Validation of Conservation Targets 29
Table 18. Potential LCA Area, Land Area and Forest Cover 31
Table 19. Potential LCA Area and Land Uses 31
Table 20. Potential LCA Area and Tenure Types 32
Table 21. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 2c: Threats and Resources Analysis; Gender Analysis 34
Table 22. Suggested Template for Threats Analysis 35
Table 23. SWOT Analysis Table 37
Table 24. Identifying Observations of Men and Women in Prevailing Practices 38
Table 25. Identifying Future Interests/Benefits of Men and Women from Use of Natural Resources 38
Table 26. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 2d: Identification of Conservation Actions 39
Table 27. Examples of Conservation Actions 40
Table 28. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 3a: VMGO, Strategic Directions, Performance Target Setting 42
Table 29. Performance Target Matrix 46
Table 30. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 3b: Financial Planning 47
Table 31. Matrix of Activities per Performance Target 49
Table 32. Budget Plan 50
Table 33. Potential Revenue Sources for LCA Management Plan Implementation 50
 BOXES

Box 1. Target Participants of Module 1 5

Box 2. Conservation Defined in the Context of LCA 8
Box 3. Possible Scenarios: LCA Management Plan and FLUP 9
Box 4. Establishment of Bud Bongao LCA through Municipal Ordinance 11
Box 5. Establishment of Mangatarem Critical Habitat 12
Box 6. Duties and Functions of Dalaguete, Alcoy and Argao BioCon Teams 13
Box 7. Target Participants of Sub-Module 2a: Biodiversity Assessment 21
Box 8. Key Findings of Mt. Nacolod Biodiversity Assessment 25
Box 8. FGD Guide Questions 27
Box 9. List of Maps for LCA Management Plan 30
Box 10. SWOT Analysis 36
Box 11. Gender Analysis 37
Box 12. Sample Vision Statement 43
Box 13. Sample Conservation Goal Statements 43
Box 14. Examples of MOOEs 49
Box 15. Potential Revenue/Funding Sources 49

FIGURES

Figure 1. Process Flow of Module 1 7

Figure 2. LCA Management Planning Process 11
Figure 3. Process for Module 2: Situational Analysis 21
Figure 4. Proposed LCA of Dalaguete 21
Figure 5. Mt. Nacolod LCA 33
Figure 6. Illustrative Threats Analysis 36
Figure 7. Illustrative Diagram of Conservation Actions 36
Figure 8. LCA Management Plan Process 43
Figure 9. Dalaguete LGU Sangguniang Bayan Resolution Legitimizing LCA Management Plan 52

ANNEXES

Annex 1.1: EO organizing LGU LCA Working Group in Alcoy, Cebu 15

Annex 1.2: Bud Bongao, Tawi-Tawi LCA Municipal Ordinance 16
Annex 1.3: Inter-LGU MOA for Mts. Nug-as-Palinpinon forest-Lantoy 18
Annex 1.4: SB Resolution Adopting Nacolod CMF in Libagon, Southern Leyte 20
 FOREWORD from the Director
DENR-BMB
The Philippines is one of the 17 megadiverse countries which host 70-80% of the world’s life
forms on earth. Because of its size, the country is regarded to harbor more diversity of life
than any other country on earth on a per hectare basis. It is one of the only two countries in
the world – Madagascar being the other, which are both a megadiversity country and a
biodiversity hotspot. The country has more than 52,177 described species, of which more
than half are found nowhere else on Earth. Of these, 491 threatened species already are
THERESA MUNDITA
listed in the 2004 IUCN Red List.
S. LIM
Director, DENR-BMB
Because of this scenario, the Philippine Congress in 1992 enacted the Republic Act 7586,
National Project Director,
otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act).
NewCAPP
The NIPAS Act provides legal framework for the establishment and management of National
Integrated Protected Areas System, defining its scope and coverage, and for other purpose. Its main objective is to
ensure the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive protected
area system that will safeguard these areas from environmental degradation threats. However, the Government alone
cannot fully protect these areas from threats and degradation, and therefore needs support from other constituents of
the country. At present, there have been several innovations in terms of protected area management. Other modalities
are being pilot tested around the world to ensure the protection and conservation of these biodiversity significant areas.

Section 3 (i) of the Local Government Code states that Local Government Units shall share with the national government
the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction. The
provision clearly states that the LGU has an important role in the protection and conservation of all natural resources of
the country and should work hand in hand with the national government. However, it has been observed that LGU cannot
fully participate in the protection campaign because of some technical limitations on resources management. The LGUs
with its power, authority and local resources can provide the needed assistance of the national government in the
protection of the environment. The LGUs only need guidance and technical support to achieve its mandate for an
ecologically balanced environment.

Thus, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)–Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), with
support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)–Global Environmental Facility (GEF) New Conservation
Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), has taken the initiative to explore alternative governance regimes that can
be established to hasten protection coverage of these biodiversity conservation priority areas. Recognizing the man-
dated roles, available resources, and increasing number of local government units (LGUs) engaging in improved environ-
mental management, the BMB through NewCAPP has demonstrated the establishment of LGU-led Local Conservation
Areas (LCAs), to show how collaborative efforts of the national and local government can be an effective means of
environmental protection.

To address the technical needs of LGUs, the NewCAPP has developed a Guidebook on Local Conservation Area
Management Planning. This Guidebook has been designed to assist DENR field offices and Local Service Providers
(LSPs), including non-government organizations (NGOs), which will be engaged in providing help to provincial and
municipal LGUs or a cluster of provincial and/or municipal LGUs opting to establish LCAs and prepare management plans
for these. It consists of five Modules intended to suggest a step-by-step procedure in LCA establishment and manage-
ment planning based on NewCAPP’s experiences in its pilot sites. This Guidebook mainly documents how LCAs have
been established and how management plans have been prepared following current local situations and government
systems. While this Guidebook does not aim to prescribe a certain procedure, it highlights prerequisites or minimum
requirements that must be satisfied by the process. Recognizing that there are varying approaches towards biodiversity
conservation management regimes, this Guidebook also provides snippets of these emerging trends, i.e., summaries of
case studies of LCA demonstration models.

We therefore commend the outstanding efforts and contributions of NewCAP Project staff, field personnel, Local
Executives, as well as all others who made this Guidebook an eventual publication possible.
MESSAGE from MESSAGE from
PTFCF UNDP
Good day! Mabuhay!

The Philippine Tropical Forest Con- The Philippines should be proud

servation Foundation Inc. fully that it is recognized as one of the
supports the publication of this 17 centers of biological diversity.
module on Local Conservation Ar- Unfortunately it is also listed as one
eas management planning. The of the 25 critical biodiversity
conduct of the recent National Con- “hotspots.” This is a critical chal- TITON MITRA
ference on LCAs is important to ATTY. JOSE CANIVEL lenge. Out of the 128 identified Country Director, Philippines
key stakeholders in conserving Executive Director key biodiversity areas in the Phil- United Nations
biological diversity, especially to Philippine Tropical Forest ippines only 59 of these are pro- Development Programme
the local government units, their Conservation Foundation tected under the National Inte-
partner civil society organizations grated Protected Areas System. Ensuring full coverage
and other government institutions. The LCA conference has of all key biodiversity areas will take years to complete.
pooled together the rich experiences in implementing locally ini-
tiated actions in biodiversity conservation and drawn valuable The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to-
lessons from them. It is our fervent wish that the initiatives of gether with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is privi-
the local stakeholders in government and civil society will lead leged to have partnered with the Biodiversity Manage-
the way in establishing LCAs as a national strategy for effec- ment Bureau through the New Conservation Areas for the
tive management of high value conservation areas in the coun- Philippines Project to produce this Guidebook. It is the
try. culmination of an extensive process and provides a key
tool to assist Local Government Units (LGUs) to establish
As for PTFCF, our Foundation works towards biologically di- local conservation areas (LCAs) and prepare manage-
verse Philippine forests sustainably managed and equitably ac- ment plans.
cessible to responsible stakeholders by working with non-gov-
ernment organizations and community groups in forest protec- Local governments have a critical role to play in conserv-
tion, natural resource management, capacity building, research, ing biodiversity. They are in essence the ‘front line’ in
livelihood support, coastal forest resource management, as well protecting a global asset. Their motivation should go be-
as sustainable use of diverse animals and plants. From 2005 to yond compliance or altruism. Biodiversity provides the ba-
2014, PTFCF was able to support 383 projects, which effec- sis for natural sustainability of all life forms. It enables us
tively improved the management of approximately 1.5 million to better withstand and recover from natural disasters. It
hectares of forest lands, restored approximately 4,200 hec- provides the basis for growing the economy – at least 40
tares of forests through the re-introduction of appropriate na- percent of the world’s economy and 80 percent of the
tive tree species, established over 40 community conserved needs of the poor are derived from biological resources.
areas in key biodiversity areas and critical watersheds, insti- We need to affect a “mind shift” from viewing biodiversity
tuted over 60 community-level sustainable enterprises that pro- conservation as a cost and view it as a critical asset.
vide additional income to community members, and increased
awareness of forest conservation issues particularly the eco- This Guidebook will assist LGUs to transform their
system services provided by the forests. biodiversity assets into income that can be used to sup-
port their myriad development needs, especially in pov-
A valuable part of these accomplishments from our end are erty eradication. We also envisage that this Guidebook
several locally initiated forest protection and rehabilitation initia- will pave the way for more LGUs to establish LCAs in a
tives. We hope that the important lessons in the stories of these more systematic and scientific way no matter how small
local governments currently engaged in local conservation ef- the area is. We look forward for more LGUs in actively
forts will serve as a challenge and inspiration to many other pursuing biodiversity conservation and sharing their ex-
LGUs. For now, we have heard the clamor from many LGUs periences and best practices in establishing and manag-
that have expressed interest and have already pursued initia- ing LCAs.
tives to protect, rehabilitate, and manage the natural resources
within their respective area of responsibility. Allow me to commend the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources for producing this very timely publica-
We will be there to extend our helping hand to these new and tion. UNDP will continue to work with you in the pursuit of
upcoming local conservation areas. May these LCAs live long the sustainable management of the country’s biodiversity
and prosper. Thank you very much. resources.
MESSAGE from MESSAGE from
DILG HLURB
The rapid growth of cities The Housing and Land Use
and municipalities, cou- Regulatory Board (HLURB)
pled with the increase in is mandated to “promulgate
demand for natural re- zoning and other land use
sources as raw materials, control standards and
and the threat of global guidelines, which shall
warming, calls for a govern land use plans and
stronger commitment AUSTERE A. zoning ordinances of local
ATTY. LINDA L.
among stakeholders for PANADERO governments,” pursuant to
MALENAB-HORNILLA
improved environmental Undersecretary for Commissioner
Section 5 (a) of Executive
management and ecologi- Local Government Housing and Land Use
Order No. 648.
cally balanced ecosystem. DILG Regulatory Board
Relative thereto and pursuant to the provisions of
Being at the forefront of government efforts to promote
the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA7160) and
the general welfare of their constituents, including the
right to a balanced ecology, local government units (LGUs) Executive Order No. 72, the HLURB has, over the
are expected to ensure that environmental development years, formulated a considerable number of guide-
and conservation programs and initiatives are prioritized. lines made available to the Local Government Units
On the other hand, the national government, development (LGUs) and other stakeholders/end-users to serve
organizations and other concerned groups should ably as a guide in the formulation of Comprehensive Land
support local governments in planning, developing, and Use Plans (CLUPSs) and Zoning Ordinances (ZOs)
implementing local biodiversity conservation actions. of cities and municipalities.

During the National Local Conservation Areas Conference We would like to congratulate the DENR for coming
held last year, some pioneering LGUs that have success- up with a Guide on Local Conservation Area (LCA)
fully established LCAs have, in fact, shared their experi- Management Planning. The LCA Guide is very timely
ences and the interesting journey that they took with the as the HLURB Enhanced CLUP (ECLUP) which was
help of DENR field offices and other non-government or- approved last July 2014 will come out very soon.
ganizations. We see the Guide on LCA as a supplemental tool to
the ECLUP. It will be very useful in assisting the LGU
To motivate other LGUs to embark on the same journey, understand the technical aspects of environmental
this Guide on LCA Management Planning developed by the conservation and protection. The LCA Guide will
DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau will serve as a provide the basic considerations in identifying LCAs
valuable reference guide and an important tool for LGUs in
and formulating LCA management plans and the proc-
their efforts to protect the remaining biodiversity jewels of
esses and procedures to do this.
the country, and ensure that these provide the valuable
ecosystem services for the benefit of current and future
We are confident that the LCA Guide will be of great
generations.
help to LGUs in coming up with comprehensive plans
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that reflect the dynamic interaction between the ru-
highly recommends the use of this LCA Guide in ral/urban and upland-coastal landscape, thus we are
complementation with the Department's existing policies assured that there will be better understanding and
on local development planning by LGUs located in identi- appreciation of the importance of biodiversity con-
fied key biodiversity areas to ensure sustainable manage- servation.
ment of local ecosystems. More importantly, the DILG ex-
presses its commitment of support to the DENR-BMB in the We encourage all LGUs located in critical landscapes
roll-out of this LCA Guide to the LGUs as a definitive strat- and areas identified as high conservation values to
egy for biodiversity conservation and protected area man- use the LCA Guide as support tool for the ECLUP.
agement.
The Philippines is one of the 17 countries con- This Guide has been designed to as-
sidered as the centers of biological diversity. sist DENR field offices and Local
Recorded as one with the highest rates of Service Providers (LSPs), including
non-government organizations
mammalian endemism globally, its unique spe-
(NGOs), which will be potentially in-
cies on a per unit area remains incomparable, volved in providing help to provin-
much like those of Brazil and Madagascar. Its cial and municipal LGUs or a cluster
marine diversity also cannot be underestimated as it is recog- of provincial and/or municipal LGUs
nized as the “center of the center” of world marine biodiversity. opting to establish LCAs and prepare
Part of the Coral Triangle, the Philippine seas are called the management plans for these. It con-
“Amazon of the Seas.”1 While this is so, the Philippines is also sists of five Modules intended to sug-
listed as one of the 25 critical biodiversity “hotspots” or those gest a step-by-step procedure in LCA
whose human activities in the area have adversely affected its establishment and management
terrestrial biodiversity. planning based on NewCAPP’s expe-
riences in its pilot sites.
Indeed, with 128 terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) iden-
tified in the country, only 59 (46%) of these are covered by offi- This Guide mainly documents how
cial protection under Republic Act 7586 or the National Inte- LCAs have been established and how
grated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Placing an area under management plans have been pre-
the NIPAS takes years. Thus, the Department of Environment and pared following current local situa-
Natural Resources (DENR)–Biodiversity Management Bureau tions and government systems.
(BMB), with support from United Nations Development Pro- While this Guide does not aim to
gramme (UNDP)–Global Environmental Facility (GEF) New Con- prescribe a certain procedure, it rec-
servation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), has taken ommends the minimum require-
the initiative to explore alternative governance regimes that ments that must be satisfied by the
can be established to hasten protection coverage of these process. Recognizing that there are
biodiversity conservation priority areas. Recognizing the man- varying approaches towards
dated roles, available resources, and increasing number of lo- biodiversity conservation manage-
cal government units (LGUs) engaging in improved environmen- ment regimes, this Guide also pro-
tal management, BMB through NewCAPP has demonstrated the vides snippets of these emerging
establishment of LGU-led Local Conservation Areas (LCAs). trends, i.e., summaries of case stud-
ies of LCA demonstration models.
1 USAID, 2008 Philippines F118-119 Report
1
 The table below presents the steps involved in the identification and establishment of LCAs and the prepara-
tion of management plans. The Modules of this Guide have been crafted to enable a more systematic and
process-oriented way of putting together the different sections of the LCA Management Plan.

Modules have been prepared such that these serve as building blocks to enable LGUs to learn from the
process i.e., outputs of a Module feed into succeeding Modules.

Table 1. LCA Management Planning Modules

2
Using the Guide
This Guide has been prepared for the establishment of LCAs by LGUs within terrestrial KBAs that are outside
the NIPAS system. Each Module is organized as a coaching tool to assist DENR field offices, the technical
assistance provider and the LGUs on the theoretical and practical aspects of LCA establishment and manage-
ment plan preparation.

The Training Design of each module contains the following:

Table 2. Contents of LCA Training Modules

The Process details the step-by-step process, including lecture inputs needed for each, and the facilitation
tools and templates that can assist the technical service provider and/or LGUs in achieving the expected
outputs.

The Modules
Module 1 – Orientation on LCAs: This Module introduces the WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and HOW of LCAs. It
introduces the participants to the concepts, benefits, and process involved in designating part of its jurisdic-
tion for biodiversity conservation, i.e., the LCA. It is also through this Module that institutional and financial
resource arrangements are firmed-up to undertake the planning and implementation processes.

3
 Module 2 – Situational Analysis: This Module guides the participants in defining the primary LCA boundaries
based on the conservation targets map. It also helps them determine the current socio-economic activities
posing threats to the potential LCA and identify appropriate conservations goals to address these threats.

Module 2a – Biodiversity Assessment: Towards Module 2c – Threats and Resources

biodiversity conservation, this sub-module provides an Analysis: This sub-module assists the
opportunity for the LGUs to gain knowledge and/or be participants in identifying 1) current
appraised on the biodiversity richness of their area, problems and issues threatening con-
including areas where key habitats are located and their servation targets; and 2) resources, e.g.,
status, i.e., different ecosystems harboring wildlife re- financial, manpower, and program sup-
sources as well as significant flora and fauna species port, that can be tapped in the LCA plan-
inhabiting the area. ning and implementation activities.

Module 2b – Identification, Mapping, and Validation of Module 2d – Identification of Conserva-

Conservation Targets: This is a venue for the LGUs to tion Actions: Taking off from the results
draw their conservation targets map as reference in of Module 2c, key actions to address
determining LCA boundaries – barangays covered, eco- the threats are identified in this sub-
system type, and land classification. module.

Module 3 – LCA Management Plan Formulation: This Module builds the major components of the LCA Man-
agement Plan, including goals and objectives, strategies to achieve these, and conservation targets involving
both the bio-physical component and the management arrangements.

Module 3a – Setting Conservation Vision, Goals, Module 3b – Financial Planning: This sub-mod-
Objectives, and Performance Target Setting: This ule assists the LGUs in estimating necessary
sub-module looks at the overall vision of the costs for Plan implementation. Potential re-
LGU and assists the participants in crafting a sources that can be tapped to support Plan im-
vision related to biodiversity conservation, plementation are also identified in this sub-
which should not be stand-alone but should module.
contribute to the overall vision of the LGU. This
sub-module also attempts to build a consen- Module 3c – Monitoring and Evaluation (M and
sus on conservation goals at a landscape and/ E): Users are referred to the existing Biodiversity
or KBA level and on conservation objectives, Monitoring System (BMS) of NIPAS in perform-
i.e., bio-physical ones. Bio-physical and man- ing M and E of LCAs. Under UNDP-GEF NewCAPP,
agement targets are identified in this sub-mod- there was no opportunity to develop LCA-spe-
ule. cific tools and methods for M and E.

Module 4 – Plan Legitimization: This covers preparation for the formal adoption of the Plan through the
issuance of an SB Resolution. A two-year action plan with budget can also be formulated in this Module.

Module 5 – Plan Implementation: This module explains initial implementation activities that the LGU can
execute to strengthen its LCA Plan implementation.

4
 MODULE 1.
Orientation on Local
Conservation Areas

Coverage
The call for biodiversity conservation is an urgent demand as climate change and disaster risk impacts are
likely to be significantly experienced by the environment and by communities. However, for LGUs to invest its
resources, it is essential that they appreciate and understand the benefits that they will derive from doing so
and the process in which they will be involved. This Module introduces the participants to the fundamental
concepts, the institutional context, and the policy environment behind LCA establishment and how this re-
lates to other local environmental and development objectives of the LGU. It provides a brief snapshot of the
whole LCA planning steps and the key activities that will be undertaken by the LGU. It is hoped that this will
enable the LGU to commit resources to LCA planning based on informed decision-making and prepare them for
the succeeding Modules.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the Module, participants should be able to:
• Discuss the technical basis of LCA, • Agree on LCA planning working arrangements and com-
its supporting policies and process in position of TWG, which will be assigned to take the lead in
the formulation of a Management Plan; LCA planning;
• Explain why an LGU needs to • Draw a Work Plan on LCA planning, including key activi-
prioritize biodiversity conservation ties, responsible LGU staff/office, and budget requirements;
through LCA establishment and harmo- and
nize this with its development objec- • Allocate budget for the establishment of LCA and prepa-
tives; ration of management plan.

Box 1. Target Participants of Module 1

Target Participants
Participants will be DENR field officers assigned to provide technical assistance on biodiversity conser-
vation, SB Committee Chair on Environment, Provincial and Municipal Environment and Natural Re-
source Officers (P/MENROs), barangay officials, Provincial and Municipal Planning and Development
Officers (P/MPDOs), and key environment-related non-government organizations (NGOs) and local aca-
demic institutions involved in environment or biodiversity research. In cases when the DENR or the LGU
has an FLUP Technical Assistance Team, they should also be invited to participate in this Module.

5
 Training Schedule
Table 3. Training Schedule for Module 1

Expected Outputs
By the end of the Module, the following shall have been produced:
• Agreement on final composition of LCA TWG
• Draft LCA TWG working protocols
• Draft Action Plan, including required budget, for succeeding modules and activities

Before Module 2, the following should have been issued:

• Multi-sectoral support for LCA management planning through the Municipal Development Council
(MDC) or the City Development Council (CDC)
• SB/Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) resolution authorizing the Municipal/City Mayor to enter into agree-
ment with the DENR for the planning and establishment of an LCA
• Executive Order organizing the LGU LCA Working Group
• LGU budget for the planning process

6
Process Figure 1. Process Flow of Module 1

Three lecture inputs will be provided to broaden

the understanding of the participants on why LCAs
should be established and how this can be done.
Following this, minimum requirements, includ-
ing the TWG that will lead the LCA management
planning process and budget, will be set-up.

Lecture 1. Overview of Protected

Areas System and Key Biodiversity
Areas in the Philippines; Issues and
Challenges

This input session highlights three major points, including:

A. The Philippines currently has 240 protected areas (PAs): 4.06 million hectares terrestrial and 1.38
million hectares marine.
• The existing PAs cover only 59 (46%) of • The NIPAS approach to establishing a PA takes years
the 128 identified KBAs; the remaining – it is influenced by the level of awareness of lawmak-
69 lack government protection ers and the parochial interest of some legislators.

B. There are barriers to effective PA management for biodiversity conservation, including:

• Bio-geographical representativeness. • Limited capacity of DENR, PAWB, and
– Only 59 of 117 terrestrial KBAs are PAs; not all PA PAMB to manage the national PA sys-
boundaries cover KBAs tem
– Expanding the existing PAs through NIPAS only is • Inadequate systems for financial plan-
impractical given the enormous areas in need of pro- ning, budgetary management, and rev-
tection enue generation

C. There is the need to expand and strengthen the terrestrial PA system in the Philippines by developing
new conservation models and building capacity for effective management of the system, supported by
improved systemic and institutional capacities.
• No new PAs, as prescribed under the • Conservation areas will be established and recog-
NIPAS. However, if stakeholders so de- nized and made part of the “National PA System”
sire, the LCA can become a PA under the • Conservation areas refer to those within important
NIPAS in the future following specific KBAs, defined in the same way as PAs, under diverse
steps governance regimes

7
 Lecture 2. Fundamentals of LGU-Led Conservation Areas: Definition,
Rationale, Policy Support, and Benefits

This lecture provides a thorough description of what an LCA is, its objectives, and its relationship with other
LGU thrusts and “buy-ins.” Basic concepts underlying LCAs include:

A. An LCA is an area, network of areas, or areas B. The main objective of the LCA is to maintain
straddling adjacent local governments within a the habitat of important species, listed or not.
KBA outside of the PA system. It is established LCA objectives also include biodiversity conser-
mainly for conservation purposes and under the vation, closure of open access areas, climate
management of LGUs. It can also refer to critical change adaptation, and disaster risk manage-
habitats managed by LGUs under the Wildlife ment. Conservation targets or biodiversity con-
Act. servation priority areas are all natural areas.

Box 2. Conservation Defined

in the Context of LCA
The term “conservation” (in LCA) is used in this Guide to mean:
I) Strict protection – in the maintenance of
old growth and second growth forests in II) Sustainable use – in the production of fiber (e.g.,
government-owned forest lands, outside wood, rattan) and other products for commercial
the coverage of NIPAS. Conservation use, production of water and soil conservation, pro-
means locking up with as little human in- vision of recreational facilities (e.g., ecotourism),
terference as possible to preserve exam- maintenance of wildlife habitats and scientific val-
ples of individual species, forest associa- ues, and preservation of scenic landscapes, con-
tions and/or wildlife habitats, unique and/ servation also means "wise utilization" or "preser-
or important ecosystems, because of their vation through wise use" or "sustained yield in per-
ecological (e.g. slope stabilization, hydro- petuity" and is applicable to forests on tenured for-
logical regulation), carbon sequestration est lands (e.g., CBFMA, IFMA, SIFMA, FLAgT areas),
and scientific values. grass/brush lands, and other areas as provided by
law.
Local conservation areas may include:
I) Areas of high biological diversity
II) Areas vulnerable to climate change (sea level rise, rise in temperature, increasing precipitation)
III) Geologically hazardous areas
IV) Other locally significant areas, e.g., historical sites, unique/charismatic landscapes or areas with
ecotourism potential such as the Chocolate Hills in Bohol Province

C. Key conservation action recommended is not population monitoring but retention of natural areas.
The aim of biodiversity management in LCAs is to retain, recover, restore, and protect natural area
conditions within the framework of ecological networks or corridors as a response to fragmentation.
Habitat fragmentation severely threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (ELI, 2003). In highly
fragmented landscapes, ecological coherence may be achieved if intensively used areas are balanced
by natural zones that function as a coherent, self-regulating whole (Bennett and Mulongoy, 2006).

8
Fragmented landscapes may yet be stabilized when appropriately buffered fragments are linked to
each other by means of physical or biological connectors called corridors. Such a system may be
referred to as an ecological network or ecological corridor. Ecological networks may be confined
within a municipal boundary or span vast expanses of fragmented landscapes across several munici-
palities, provinces, or regions.

D. Key performance indicator is number of hectares of natural areas conserved/retained or recovered.

E. Land uses: do not adversely modify critical habitat to the point that it will no longer aid in the
species’ recovery.

F. LCA Management Plan of an LGU is inter-related with other local environmental and development
plans, including:

• FLUPs. It should be emphasized that the LCA management plan is NOT the same as FLUP. The
former responds chiefly to conservation of biological diversity and, to some extent, mainte-
nance of ecosystem services. In some cases, the LCA may not be limited to classified forestlands.
The FLUP deals mainly with closure of open access regimes and quite recently, in response to
new national legislations related with climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as
disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The FLUP can also address biodiversity con-
servation if the objective specifies so. There are three possible scenarios where the LCA Man-
agement Plan comes into play with FLUP.

Box 3. Possible Scenarios: LCA Management Plan and FLUP Case in Point: The
municipality of
• LGU with existing FLUP. LCA Management Plan should provide
Argao in Cebu, cov-
more details on biodiversity conservation objectives and areas ered by Mts. Nug-as-
designated in FLUP. If these are not identified, the LCA can serve
Palinpinon-Lantoy
as the refinements of FLUP.
forest, opted to un-
dertake the
• LGU without FLUP and whose FLUPlanning is ongoing. LCA Man-
FLUPlanning and
agement Plan can also be used in conjunction with the prepara-
LCA planning proc-
tion of FLUPs, especially when planning includes biodiversity
ess simultaneously.
conservation. LCA management planning can be part of the
Argao LGU is one of
FLUPlanning process. FLUP should identify, if applicable, the
the three LGUs, in-
extent of forestland that will be designated as LCA, including the
cluding Dalaguete
appropriate management interventions and institutional ar-
and Alcoy, situated
rangements for this.
in the said KBA.
• LGU without FLUP and whose FLUPlanning is yet to be deter- Dalaguete and Alcoy
mined. LCA Management Plan data will serve as inputs to had already formu-
FLUPlanning since the minimum data requirements for the LCA lated their FLUPs be-
Management Plan match with those needed for FLUP. The identi- fore the concept of
fied LCA and management measures formulated should there- LCA was introduced
fore form part of the FLUP. to them.

9
In the case of Palauig municipality in Mt. Tapulao, the LCA or critical habitat management planning
was undertaken simultaneously with the FLUP. The LCA covers the entire forest land, with identified
protection zones within the forest lands.
LCAs are established
• Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs). With enhanced CLUP
through LGU Ordinances
guidelines where biodiversity is targeted to be mainstreamed into
by LGUs. In the case of
the process, LCA management planning can provide inputs to the
more than one LGU, a MOA
biodiversity profile of a city or municipality, which is now a ma-
is executed among them to
jor section of CLUP. With FLUP as one major section of CLUP, LCA
support the adoption and
coverage should be indicated in this section. In cases when a city
establishment of the LCA
or municipality still does not have an FLUP but is into CLUPlanning,
through individual LGU
the LCA can be one land use zone specified in the CLUP.

• Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). LCA management strategies should be highlighted in the
LGU’s CDP to ensure that biodiversity conservation objectives are considered in the overall develop-
ment thrusts of the LGU. This will also have to translate into budget allocation for LCA in their Annual
Investment Plans (AIPs)

• Provincial Physical and Development Plan (PPDP). Since biodiversity conservation puts a premium on
the interconnectivity of habitats, the role of the Provincial LGU becomes crucial in supporting indi-
vidual and/or cluster of LGUs deciding to establish and manage an LCA. Provincial LGUs can provide
support to LGU-led LCAs through the designation of areas in the Province for biodiversity conservation
amidst the long-term economic development plans, annual budget allocation, and provision of policy
and institutional support. The LCA can also be eventually integrated in the provincial physical frame-
work plan.

G. Main policy support for LCAs is DENR-DILG JMC2003-01 (Strengthening the DENR-DILG-LGU Partner-
ship on Devolved and Other Forest Management Functions). Under this joint policy, the LGUs shall
share with DENR the responsibility in the sustainable management and development of the forest
resources within their territorial jurisdiction. Toward this end, the DENR and the LGUs shall endeavor
to strengthen their collaboration and partnership in forest management.

H. The benefits that LGUs can derive from establishing and sustaining management of LCAs are the ff:
• Sustained ecosystem services, e.g., water, are ensured • Through LCAs, LGUs and local com-
• Through LCAs, LGUs and local communities are better munities are better able to define the
involved in conservation actions, ecosystem functions and management
• LCAs strengthen on the ground management of areas objectives most relevant to them and
important for conservation purposes develop appropriate responses

I. Critical habitat establishment is always compared with LCA establishment. The table below presents
a comparative analysis between the two.
Table 4. Comparison of Critical Habitat and LCAs
 Lecture 3. Overview of LCA Management Planning Process

This session should provide a brief background Figure 2. LCA Management Planning Process
on the LCA Management Planning process. While
this lecture intends to provide participants on
what to expect in the whole planning process,
details of each module will be explained during
the actual conduct of the activity. It is important,
however, that LGUs understand that the process
is a participatory one, i.e., strategies that will be
identified in the Plan should fit in the overall LGU
development priorities and objectives, available
and potential resources, and desired behavior
changes among concerned stakeholders.

At the onset, this lecture should provide partici-

pants a discussion of the different emerging mod-
els through which an LCA can be established.
These include:

A. Through the passage of a local Ordinance

by an individual LGU. After the LCA Manage-
ment Plan formulation, the Plan is legitimized
by the LGU through an SB Resolution. A local
Ordinance is drafted and enacted to support
the establishment of the LCA, including its
coverage, management strategies, designa-
tion or creation of institutional support, and
budget allocation for its implementation.

Box 4. Establishment of Bud Bongao

LCA through Municipal Ordinance B. Through inter-LGU alliance. This is applica-
ble to several LGUs that decide to collaborate
Case in Point: Municipal Ordinance No. in maintaining inter-connectivity of habitats
202, Series of 2013 declared Bud Bongao and wildlife resources. Inter-LGU alliance can
as an LGU-managed LCA in the Philip- be done at two levels: a) for LCA planning such
pines and the first in the Autonomous that duties and responsibilities, committed re-
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It sources – both financial and manpower – of
specifies the areas covered by LCA, in- LGUs in relation with planning activities are
cluding size of conservation areas per defined; and b) for implementation of LCA Man-
barangay. It also outlines regulations agement Plan. At this point, LGUs involved may
which will help in enhancing biodiversity create a Management Council that will serve
conservation in the said area, creation of as oversight to Plan implementation, formu-
a management council, enforcement late working protocols, and establish a com-
team and annual budget allocation for mon fund to support certain implementation
Bud Bongao’s LCA Management Plan im- activities that can be more effectively and effi-
plementation. ciently carried out at an inter-LGU level.

11
 LGUs adopting this management arrangement may opt to collaboratively work on a Conservation
Management Framework at the initial stage, which will be individually adopted by involved LGUs.
LGUs can then support this Framework by developing their individual LCA Management Plans, which
they can annually support with financial allocation through their AIPs.

Case in Point: Case in Point: Mt. Nacolod KBA

Mt. Lantoy-Palinpinon range-Nug-as forest To complement and operationalize
Recognizing the urgent need to address the threats in Southern Leyte Provincial Government’s
Mt. Lantoy-Palinpinon range-Nug-as forest, the mu- initiative in declaring Mt. Nacolod as a
nicipalities of Argao, Dalaguete and Alcoy entered protected area, the municipalities of
into an inter-LGU collaboration to establish LCA. A Sogod, Silago, St.Bernard, Libagon and
Joint Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the Hinunangan as well as Leyte Province’s
three LGUs and DENR VII was signed last May 15, Mahaplag and Abuyog municipalities
2012. The agreement was intended to: a) establish decided to collaborate in developing a
LGU-led LCA in the three municipalities (Argao – 3,058 Conservation Management Framework
has; Dalaguete: 3,087 has; and Alcoy: 3,504 has); (CMF) for Mt. Nacolod. Overall, the CMF
and b) strengthen conservation initiatives and pro- is envisioned to guide and consolidate
tect the key biodiversity resources in Mt. Lantoy- conservation efforts of all concerned
Palinpinon range-Nug-as forest which are currently stakeholders by increasing community
under various threats. The same agreement man- awareness, enforcing socially acceptable
dated the three LGUs to provide manpower and fi- land use plans and zoning ordinances,
nancial resources for LCA Management Planning and securing sustainable financing and im-
support an inter-LGU alliance to harmonize imple- plementing an effective monitoring and
mentation of management plans. evaluation mechanism.

C. Through critical habitat following the Wildlife Act.

Box 5. Establishment of Mangatarem Critical Habitat

The Mangatarem Critical Habitat in Mangatarem, Pangasinan was declared by the municipal LGU
as a wildlife critical habitat through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 49-2013 on August 28,
2013. It is an expansion of the existing protected area in the municipality, the Manleluag Springs
Protected Landscape (MSPL). Directly managing the critical habitat is the Critical Habitat Manage-
ment Board created under the FLUP Steering Committee, which was mandated through the co-man-
agement agreement signed between Mangatarem LGU and DENR.

12
 Workshop 1. Identification of LCA TWG members and working protocols

This Workshop aims to provide an opportunity for the creation of an LCA TWG. The TWG has to be formed
to ensure that a group of LGU staff will be accountable for completing the LCA Management Plan and
leading initial implementation activities. Recommended composition of LCA TWG includes the following:
• DENR Regional Office technical services staff • Municipal Tourism Officer (MTO)
• DENR Community Environment and Natural • SB Chair – Committee on Environment
Resource Officer (CENRO) • Barangay Captains
• MENRO • Representatives from environment-related
• MPDO NGOs
• Municipal Budget Officer (MBO) • Representatives from academic institutions

On working protocols, the TWG should discuss among themselves duties and functions, regularity of
meetings, internal structure, e.g., if different Committees need to be created, and fund sources for the
activities. On the composition of TWG, assess balanced participation of men and women in the Team. An
LGU staff trained on gender can be invited to join the TWG to ensure that gender is mainstreamed in the
planning process.

Workshop 2. Action Planning

For this Workshop, the group has to agree on timeline, accountable TWG members, and required budget
for 1) completion of outputs of Module 1; 2) preparatory activities for Module 2; and 3) activities for the
remaining Modules of LCA management planning.

It should be reiterated that the items below are needed as solid bases for the LCA TWG to move forward:

Box 6. Duties and Functions of Dalaguete, Alcoy and Argao BioCon Teams

Case in Point: In the LCA Management Plan preparation for Mts. Nug-as-Palipinon-Lantoy, the LGUs of
Dalaguete, Alcoy, and Argao formed Biodiversity Conservation (BioCon) Teams or their LCA TWG. Among
their duties and functions are the following:
• Work with DENR and technical assistance pro- • Facilitate the legitimization of the LCA Man-
vider on actual conduct of biodiversity assess- agement Plan
ment • Perform other activities that will support
• Coordinate with other government agencies the planning and execution of agreed work
and NGOs for data sourcing plans
• Coordinate with barangays for activities in- • Multi-sectoral support for LCA management
volving Information, Education and Communi- planning through MDC or CDC
cation (IEC), consultations, validation, and en- • SB/SP resolution authorizing the Munici-
dorsements pal/City Mayor to enter into an agreement
• Provide constant written reports and feedback with the DENR for the planning and estab-
to Local Chief Executive (LCE) and the legisla- lishment of an LCA
tive body on progress, opportunities, and chal- • Executive Order organizing the LGU LCA TWG
lenges of planning activities • LGU budget for the planning process.

The Module will culminate in a plenary presentation of outputs.

13
 Table 5. Suggested Template for Action Planning under Module 1

14
Module 1 Annexes

Annex 1.1 Executive Order

Organizing LGU LCA Working
Group, Alcoy, Cebu

15
 Annex 1.2
Bud Bongao,
Tawi-Tawi LCA
Municipal
Ordinance

16
17
 Annex 1.3 Inter-
LGU MOA for Mts.
Nug-as-Palinpinon
forest-Lantoy

18
19
 Annex 1.4 SB Resolution
Adopting Nacolod CMF
and Supporting Its Im-
plementation, Libagon,
Southern Leyte

20
 MODULE 2.
Situational Analysis

Coverage
This Module provides the LCA TWG a walkthrough on
the processes for the assessment of their biodiversity
conservation priority areas and the current socio-
economic threats to these areas. These shall form
the bases for determining the extent of coverage of
the LGU’s area that will be established as an LCA (the
CONSERVATION TARGETS) and for identifying key ac-
tions that will address the threats (the CONSERVA-
TION ACTIONS). This Module also gives an opportu-
nity for the LCA TWG to reflect on their current situa-
tion and evaluate their internal capacity (STRENGTHS)
and areas for improvement (WEAKNESSES) as an or-
ganization that will pursue biodiversity conserva-
tion. Furthermore, this Module also guides the TWG
members in evaluating risks (THREATS) and enabling
environments (OPPORTUNITIES) that will contribute
to the failure or success of the LCA Management Plan
implementation.

Three sub-modules comprise Module 2, namely:

• Sub-Module 2a. Biodiversity Assessment
• Sub-Module 2b. Identification, Mapping, and
Validation of Conservation Targets
• Sub-Module 2c. Resources and Threats Analysis;
Gender Analysis
• Sub-Module 2d. Identification of Conservation Actions

Outputs of sub-modules 2a and 2b will be used in setting the LCA Management Plan’s vision, goals, objec-
tives, and targets. Information on biodiversity conservation priority areas will be useful in designing conser-
vation actions towards retention, recovery, protection, and/or restoration of conservation targets. These will
also assist the LGU in evaluating the bio-physical impacts of LCA-related management interventions. The
Resources and Threats Analysis as well as Gender Analysis, on the other hand, will be inputs in selecting
appropriate conservation actions vis-à-vis issues and threats which need to be addressed.

The Module 2 process is summarized in the diagram below.

Figure 3. Process
for Module 2:
Situational
Analysis

21
 Sub-Module 2a. Biodiversity Assessment

Learning Objectives Box 7. Target Participants of Sub-Module 2a:

Biodiversity Assessment

By the end of this Module, the partici-

Target Participants
pants should be able to:
• Understand the biodiversity signifi-
Target participants of this Module are LCA TWG members.
cance of their area and appreciate its It is important that barangay officials and community
relationship with sustained provision elders participate in this activity because the process
of ecosystem services that are crucial will use local knowledge of the area. Environment-re-
to local economic development lated NGOs, local research organizations, and academic
• Use the information on status and institutions that are not members of the LCA TWG but
significance of biodiversity of their have the capacity and willingness to take part in the ac-
area in developing their LCA Manage- tivity should also be invited. This is for the benefit of the
ment Plan strategies. LGU since baseline biodiversity data will be used in the
Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) system that will be
Training Schedule developed in measuring performance and impacts of the
LCA Management Plan implementation.
The training schedule of this sub-module is
reliant on the biodiversity assessment For on-site focus group discussions (FGDs) of Day 2, par-
method that will be adopted by the LGU as ticipants to be invited are members of People’s Organiza-
discussed in the Process below. tions (POs) in the area and community members.

Methodology For Full-blown Biodiversity Assessment

Specific schedule of a full-blown Biodiversity As- In areas where no prior assessment has been under-
sessment will depend on the methodology that will taken, it is recommended that this method be adopted
be adopted. This varies from one approach to to establish the baseline and the status and signifi-
another. cance of biodiversity.

22 Table 6. Suggested Program for Full-blown Biodiversity Assessment

 Methodology For Rapid Biodiversity Assessment

Two days are allocated for conduct of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment.

Table 7. Suggested
Program for Rapid
Biodiversity
Assessment

Expected Outputs
By the end of the Module, participants shall have completed the following:
• List of threatened and economically important species of flora and • Assessment of ecosystem
fauna or potential key species in case there have been no prior studies services and resource users
• Status of forest ecosystem, habitat, and vegetation types in the area, • Initial list of current and
including those where there are sightings of threatened and economi- potential threats to
cally important species or potential key species biodiversity

Process
Before Sub-module 2a, a roundtable discussion with LCA TWG members should be conducted. This discus-
sion should give TWG members an overview of the biodiversity assessment methodology options. This
should lead to a decision on which methodology to adopt. Emphasis should be given on retention of natural
areas as the main conservation action. This is in relation to the conservation of natural areas as the primary

23
conservation target versus the species conservation planning.
 Below is a comparative analysis of full-blown and rapid Biodiversity Assessment methodologies.

Table 8. Com-
parative Analy-
sis of Full-blown
and Rapid
Biodiversity
Assessment

For Full-blown
Biodiversity As-
sessment, in
case the LGU
opts to conduct
a full-blown
biodiversity
assessment,
this Guide does
not prescribe a
specific meth-
odology to be
used as ap-
proaches vary
from one re-
search institu-
tion to another.

For Rapid Biodiversity Assessment, the two-day activity starts with a review of the LCA Management Planning
process. The discussion should provide a synthesis of preparatory activities completed and where these
shall be incorporated in the current Module. The overview should be able to relate the importance of
biodiversity assessment in formulating the LCA Management Plan objectives and targets. It should be noted,
however, that this is only the first step towards putting together a picture of biodiversity conservation-related
issues and problems besetting the area.

This Rapid Biodiversity Assessment heavily relies on existing biodiversity studies and literature about the
area and the local knowledge of stakeholders. Thus, three Workshops and one FGD with on-site community
stakeholders have been designed to gather information from these sources. Prior to this two-day Workshop,
however, it is important that the LCA TWG have completed the inventory and initial review of all available
studies about the area. Some members of the LCA TWG shall be assigned to take the lead in the review of
related materials. Before the Workshop, a summary of findings of the inventory should have been prepared.

The following are suggested summary tables on the findings of review of existing studies.

A. Flora
Species
Table 9. Suggested Summary Table to Present Findings on Floral Studies

24
Table 10. Sug- B. Fauna
gested Sum- Species
mary Table to
Present Find-
ings on Fau-
nal Studies

Table 11. Suggested Summary Table to Present Ecosystem Services and Resource Users
C. Ecosystem Services
Supported by Biodi-
versity Resources in
the Area and Re-
source Users

Table 12. Suggested Summary Table on Identified Biodiversity Threats

D. Identified
Biodiversity
Threats

Case in Point: Box 8. Key Findings of Mt. Nacolod Biodiversity Assessment

Mt. Nacolod Biodiversity Assessment
A wet season biodiversity assessment was conducted in 2011 and a follow-up dry season biodiversity
assessment was undertaken in 2013. Both assessments were implemented by Fauna and Flora Interna-
tional (FFI) Philippines on behalf of the German Development Cooperation – Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Southern
Leyte, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, with co-financing by the UNDP-GEF funded
New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), and the Foundation for the Philippine
Environment (FPE) funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Since this is the first full-blown biodiversity assessment conducted for the area, several interesting
findings have been noted, including:
• 65 families and 229 species of flora identified • High endemism in the area. 60 species (41 birds,
in the area. Of the 229 flora species, 14% are 17 mammals, and 2 herpetofauna) are found only
endemic to the Philippines, 9% are classi- in the landscape. Of the 41 bird species, 14 are
fied as vulnerable, and 4% are critically en- endemic to the Greater Mindanao faunal region
dangered. and 11 are under the IUCN threatened category.
• Discovery of Cebu cinnamon (Cinnammomum • Identification of new island records as follows: 8
cebuense). This is a new find since the spe- species of birds, including the endemic and
cies was previously recorded in Cebu Island threatened little slaty flycatcher (Ficedula
only. basilanicai), 3 volant mammals (Pipistrellus tenuis,
• 212 terrestrial vertebrates recorded in the area. Tylonycteris robustula, and Murina suilla), two am-
These comprise 112 avian, 36 mammalian, phibians (Philautus poecilus and P. surdus), and 2
and 94 herpetofauna species. new species of frog of the genus Platymantis.

Results of the full biodiversity assessment conducted for Mt. Nacolod include:
• Revision of the old KBAs based on the nine • Use of Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) for
High Conservation Values (HCVAs) for Leyte protected areas of DENR-BMB as monitoring pro-
Island that were identified for the 23 trigger tocol for species sensitive to forest degradation
species of trees, birds, and frogs. Four of and species tolerant to land use change;
these HCVAs are found in Southern Leyte; • Implementation of comprehensive biodiversity
• Expansion of protected areas to cover suit- inventories for Measurement, Reporting and Veri-
able habitats of key biodiversity in the Is- fication (MRV); and
land; • Implementation of comprehensive biodiversity

25
• Need for restoration or reforestation ac- inventories for MRV following the before/after-
tivities to be undertaken as there is a minor control/intervention (BACI) approach.
overlap with the hotspots; Source: Final Technical Report, GIZ 2014
 Workshop 1. Assessment of Flora Diversity in the Area

The LCA TWG presents the summary of review of existing studies. The group is then divided into two or three
– by cluster of barangays. Adjacent barangays should be grouped together. Each group is given a copy of the
summary of findings of related materials. The main purpose of this Workshop is to update/validate results
of previous studies. Plant species (flora) not listed in existing studies but have recorded sightings among
local people shall be reflected in the summary table. In addition, information on whether plant species
recorded in previous studies are still observed in the area as well as current threats to these flora biodiversity
resources should also be provided. Summary table data will then be overlaid on barangay maps. Outputs of
this Workshop are presented in a plenary session to provide an opportunity for group validation.

Table 13. Workshop 1 Template for Assessing Flora Diversity in Area

Workshop 2. Assessment of Fauna Diversity in the Area

In a plenary session, the LCA TWG presents findings from existing studies. The same process undertaken in
the assessment of flora diversity, i.e., update fauna species listed and the current threats to these species, is
adopted in this Workshop. Summary table data and biodiversity data on barangay maps are also presented
in plenary for validation.

Table 14. Workshop 2 Template for Assessing Fauna Diversity in Area

Day 1 ends with an Action Planning session where the group discusses how FGDs in Day 2 will be managed
– areas where FGDs will be conducted, facilitators, documenters, and FGD guide questions.

26
 On-Site FGDs/Community Validation

These FGDs are meant to be facilitated As a start-up activity, FGD participants are appraised on the
by respective barangay LGU officials LCA management planning process being undertaken in the
and backed-up by other LCA TWG mem- area. The facilitator should be able to explain the objectives
bers, so that FGDs in all barangays are/ of LCA establishment and the community roles in the scope of
can be simultaneously conducted. management planning and implementation process. Objec-
These are intended to validate and en- tives of the FGD are then explained to participants.
hance Day 1 Workshop outputs such
that community knowledge and expe- Following the introduction of the activity, Workshop 1 and 2
riences are incorporated in the analy- outputs (summary data table and biodiversity data map) are
sis. These FGDs are also intended to shown to the participants. By the end of the FGDs, partici-
serve as a tool to inform communities pants should reach a consensus on validated flora and fauna
about the LCA management planning. data.

Box 8. FGD Guide Questions

1) Assessment of Floral (Plant) Diversity 2) Assessment of Fauna Diversity
• Are these plants found in your area? If yes, • Are these fauna species found in your area?
in which sitios of your barangays? If yes, in which sitios of your barangays?
• Are there other flora species not listed here • Are there other fauna species not listed
that you have seen? here that you have seen in the area?
• When was the earliest/oldest sighting of • When was the first sighting of these fauna
these flora species recorded in your area? species recorded in your area?
• Are they still found in this area? • Are they still found in this area?
• What are the local names of these spe- • What are the local names of these spe-
cies? cies?
• What are the current threats to these flora • What are the current threats to these fauna
species? species?
• Update biodiversity map based on • Update biodiversity map based on
biodiversity data table biodiversity data table

Table 15. FGD-updated Biodiversity Data: Floral Species

Table 16. FGD-updated Biodiversity Data: Fauna Species

 Workshop 3. Consolidation of FGD Results

At the training venue, participants can be grouped into two – one group to work on the updating of the flora
biodiversity data and the other one on the fauna biodiversity data based on the FGD results. The FGD results
(biodiversity data tables and biodiversity map) are then consolidated towards developing a municipal-wide
biodiversity information. Outputs of the two groups are reported in a plenary session.

Finally, the LCA TWG will work on the Action Plan in preparation for Sub-Module 2b. The list of thematic maps
to be prepared for Sub-Module 2b is found in Page 30.
Figure 4. Proposed LCA of Dalaguete

28
 Sub-Module 2b. Identification, Mapping, and
Validation of Conservation Targets

Learning Objectives
By the end of the sub-module, the participants should be able to:
• Construct the conservation targets map and identify initial LCA • Explain the biodiversity and
coverage. It is not required that this map should be completed economic significance of iden-
during the 2-day workshop. What matters is that the group is able tified conservation targets
to learn the know-how in order to prepare the map after the work- • Validate the conservation tar-
sh op gets map at the barangays

Training Schedule Target Participants

This workshop entails two days. Target participants of this sub-module are LCA TWG members.
Two days are also allotted for com- For community validation activities, other barangay officials, PO
munity validation. members, and other community members should be invited.

Table 17. Training

Schedule for Sub-
Module 2b: Identifi-
cation, Mapping,
and Validation of
Conservation Targets

Expected Outputs
By the end of the sub-module, the following should have been produced:
• Preliminary conservation targets map of the municipality. Annex 1 is a • Next steps action
checklist of thematic, composite, and derived maps (Scale 1:200,000- to vary plan as agreed upon by
depending on size of area; basic is 1:10) to be prepared using GIS or similar members of the mu-

29
software. The maps are then printed in tarpaulin (at least 4 feet x 4 feet) to nicipal LCA working
be used in community validation group
 Process

Lecture. Basic Guidelines on Conservation Target Mapping

This lecture should give participants basic mapping concepts and introduce the relevance of conservation
target mapping with focus on basic guidelines as outlined below.

1) The conservation targets map shows the natural areas or natural area conditions. Altogether, the map
shows the following: (a) core conservation areas, (b) buffers, (c) stepping stones, and/or (d) corridors. Core
conservation areas with their buffers drawn are connected to each other by corridors and/or stepping
stones.
• The aggregate geographic space of natural areas • Buffers are areas set aside to protect the core
when connected to each other by means of corri- areas, stepping stones, and corridors from ex-
dors and/or stepping stones constitute the local ternal pressures. Buffers along water channels
conservation area. The figure in the previous page especially in cultivated areas should also be
is an illustration of a local conservation area. drawn
• The core conservation areas (that are drawn on • Small patches of remnant forest or any native
the map) and table of their corresponding areas vegetation may be set up as “stepping stones”
include: to allow movement of small species between
– Contiguous and fragmented stands of natural patches. The smaller the target species or its
forests capacity to move over distances (e.g., turtles,
– Contiguous and fragmented stands of second- rats, snakes, small birds), the shorter should be
ary forests the gap between stepping stones. The loss of a
– Water channels including lakes, estuaries, stepping stone can inhibit movement, increase
waterfalls patch isolation (Bentrup, 2008), and increase vul-
– All native/natural grasslands (cogon, talahib), nerability of the target species. For certain spe-
brushlands (shrubs and small trees), and bare cies, there is a threshold in which they would
lands (if any) be unwilling to cross or are incapable of cross-
– Geologically hazardous areas and other high- ing the gap between stepping stones. In other
risk areas words, a large gap becomes a barrier to move-
– Other outstanding natural and locally signifi- ment of certain species
cant features, e.g., cliffs, ravines, waterfalls, can- • Corridors are physical or vegetative devices
ons, caves, volcanoes, rocky outcrops, histori- established to provide connectivity between
cal sites, sacred grounds, scenic/charismatic buffered conservation targets and stepping
sites and potential ecotourism sites stones

2) Biodiversity-related thematic, composite, and derived maps have to be produced to draw the preliminary
conservation target map. Participants are referred to list of related studies, literature, and knowledge
materials for guidance.

3) In preparing the conservation targets map, the latest forest cover map should be obtained from DENR and/
or NAMRIA. If these are not available, Google Maps may be used. Otherwise, the LCA working group must go
into community mapping at each of the target barangays.

Box 9. List of Maps for LCA Management Plan

Maps which have to be prepared for the LCA Management Plan are the following:
• Land classification map • LCA land use map • LCA vulnerable area map
• LCA slope map • LCA forest cover map • LCA watershed map
• LCA elevation map • LCA tenure map • LCA watershed and drainage map

30
4) Except when prior written consent is obtained 5) Overlay biodiversity data map (Sub-Module 2a out-
from the cognizant owners/tenure holders/claim- puts) on the conservation area target map.
ants, exclude areas of private (A&D) lands, tenured
forestlands, and where present, CADT areas and an- 6) Once the maps are completed, the next step is to
cestral domain claims. It is important to secure prepare for community validation activities.
prior written consent for inclusion of tenured lands • Two sets of conservation targets map, including
especially when riparian corridors/easements are the data table, should be prepared and presented
needed to establish connectivity between frag- for community validation: one showing the con-
mented habitats. However, it is essential to identify servation targets of the municipality and one for
these so that the management measures in these each barangay where the conservation targets are
lands, if deemed part of the LCA target, can be incor- located. Tables below are suggested to be useful
porated in the land use plan. in facilitating community validation activities.

Table 18. Potential LCA Area, Land Area and Forest Cover

Table Description. This table intends to present forest cover of target LCA, per land classification per barangay
vis-à-vis total forest cover of the whole municipality or city, per land classification per barangay.

Notes:
Step 1. Column 1. List all barangays Step 3. Fill-up columns 3.1-3.3 Step 4. Fill-up columns 4.1-4.3
targeted to be covered by LCA within • Column 3.1 For each • Column 4.1 For each
the concerned municipality or city. barangay, indicate land area barangay, indicate forest
Step 2. Fill-up columns 2.1 to 2.3. of A and D within target LCA. cover of A and D in target LCA.
• Column 3.2 For each • Column 4.2 For each
• Column 2.1 For each barangay,
barangay, indicate land area barangay, indicate forest
indicate land area of A and D
of forestland within target cover of forestland in target
within the barangay.
LCA. LCA.
• Column 2.2 For each barangay,
• Column 3.3 For each • Column 4.3 For each
indicate land area of forestland
barangay, indicate total land barangay, indicate total for-
within the barangay.
area of A and D, and forest- est cover of A and D, and for-
• Column 2.3 For each barangay,
land within target LCA. est-land in target LCA.
indicate total land area.

Table 19. Potential LCA Area and Land Uses

Table Description. This table highlights land uses in target LCA.

31
 Notes:
Step 1. Column 1. List all barangays targeted to be Step 4. Fill-up Column 4. For each barangay, indi-
covered by LCA within the concerned municipality cate size (in has) of areas used for agricultural
or city. cultivations within target LCA.
Step 2. Fill-up columns 2.1 to 2.3 Step 5. Fill-up Column 5. For each barangay, indi-
• Column 2.1 For each barangay, indicate size (in cate size (in has) of areas used for agroforestry
has) of A and D land within target LCA. within target LCA.
• Column 2.2 For each barangay, indicate size (in Step 6. Fill-up Column 6. For each barangay, indi-
has) of forestland within target LCA. cate size (in has) of open lands within target LCA.
• Column 2.3 For each barangay, indicate total
Step 7. Fill-up Column 7. For each barangay, indi-
size (in has) of A and D, and forestland within
cate size (in has) of brush lands within target LCA.
target LCA.
Step 8. Fill-up Column 8. For each barangay, indi-
Step 3. Fill-up columns 3.1 to 3.2
cate size (in has) of grasslands within target LCA.
• Column 3.1 For each barangay, indicate size (in
Step 9. Fill-up Column 9. For each barangay, indi-
has) of natural forest within target LCA.
• Column 3.2 For each barangay, indicate size (in cate total areas, including all land uses, within
has) of forest plantations within target LCA. target LCA.

Table 20. Potential LCA Area and Tenure Types

Table Description. This table presents tenure types within target LCA.

Notes:
Step 1. Column 1. List all Step 3. Fill-up columns 3.1 to 3.6. Step 4. Fill up Column 4.
barangays targeted to be • Column 3.1 For each barangay, indicate size For each barangay, in-
covered by LCA within the (in has) of areas under co-management dicate total size (in has)
concerned municipality or agreements within target LCA. of all tenure types.
city. • Column 3.2 For each barangay, indicate size
(in has) of areas under Community-Based • In the case of an in-
Step 2. Fill-up columns 2.1 Forest Management Agreements (CBFMAs) ter-municipality
to 2.3. • Column 3.3 For each barangay, indicate size
conservation area,
• Column 2.1 For each (in has) of areas under Community Stew-
three (3) maps are
barangay, indicate size ardship Certificate (CSC).
prepared for valida-
(in has) of A and D within • Column 3.4 For each barangay, indicate size
target LCA. tion: one for the en-
(in has) of areas under Industrial Tree Plan-
• Column 2.2 For each tations or Industrial Forest Management tire (inter-municipal)
barangay, indicate size Agreements (IFMAs). landscape, one per
(in has) of forestland • Column 3.5 For each barangay, indicate size municipality, and
within target LCA. (in has) of areas under mining lease. one for each of the
• Column 2.3 For each • Column 3.6 For each barangay, indicate size barangays where the
barangay, indicate total (in has) of areas under other tenure types, conservation targets
size of target LCA. e.g., Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) are located.

32
Once the preliminary conservation targets map have been drawn, the LCA TWG should develop the action
plan. In the minimum, the action plan should set the timetable for completion of the municipal and barangay
conservation targets map, community validation, written resolution adopting the conservation targets of the
barangays, and updated conservation targets map (municipal and barangay). The DENR-BMB will also use
this action plan in developing its schedule for extending further technical assistance to the working group.

Conservation Targets Map Community Validation

The Working Group should assign and train barangay leaders to provide on-the-spot guidance during the
community mapping exercises in order to ensure that the potential LCAs are indicated on the community
maps. Users are encouraged to refer to Section on Related References, Studies, Literature, and Knowledge
Materials. The outputs of community validation activities are:
• Written resolution of the barangay council adopting the conservation targets in • Updated
the barangay. To achieve this result, the consultation activities should be aimed map of con-
at determining the feasibility of the barangay conservation targets in considera- servation tar-
tion of existing conditions of land tenure, traditional land uses (e.g., pasture gets of the
lands, wood gathering areas), land claims, and land conflicts barangay

Related References, Studies, Literature, and Knowledge Materials

• Annex 2 (DENR Memorandum Circular No. • Community Mapping for Cultural Resource Manage-
2005-005, “Adopting forestry definitions ment
concerning forest cover/land use”) • Annex 3, Guidelines in Preparing FLUP Thematic Maps
• Community Mapping Manual for Resource • Annex 4, Recommended buffer width for waterways
Management, ESSC 1998

Figure 5. Mt. Nacolod LCA

 Sub-Module 2c. Threats and Resources
Analysis; Gender Analysis

Learning Objectives
By the end of this sub-module, participants shall have:
• Described and evaluated the threats to the natural forests as the pri- • Understood gender-
mary conservation target related issues and
• Identified their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as problems concerning
an organization that will implement a biodiversity conservation program; biodiversity conserva-
and tion.

Training Table 21. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 2c: Threats

and Resources Analysis; Gender Analysis
Schedule
This is a two-day
workshop with the
schedule pre-
sented below.

Target
Participants
In addition to the
municipal LCA
working group,
this workshop
should be at-
tended by at least
two (2) officials of
each barangay in-
cluded in the con-
servation targets
map.

Expected
Outputs
By the end of the
sub-module, the
following should
have been pro-
duced:
• Threats hotspots
table and map
• List of priority
threats to be ad-
dressed
• SWOT analysis
matrix

34
Process
Plenary Discussion. Conservation Targets Map

Before Sub-Module 2c, the conservation targets map should have been finalized. Sub-Module 2c starts with
the presentation of the conservation targets map and a review of the process undertaken by the group in
completing the said map. It is important to note in the discussion how a participatory approach was empha-
sized through the community validation activity. The discussion should then lead to an explanation on how
the conservation targets map will be used as basis for identifying current biodiversity threats in the area – the
main agenda of this sub-module.

Lecture. Threats Analysis

Key messages that should be given focus in this lecture are the following:
• Biodiversity conserva- • Direct threats are primarily human
tion is chiefly about activities (e.g., kaingin, hunting, destruc-
threats management tive mining, timber poaching, construc-
• Basically, the threats tion of roads, pollution, or introduc-
analysis process exam- tion of exotic invasive species) that im-
ines the various threats mediately and negatively affect a tar-
against the identified get. They can be natural phenomena
conservation targets. An altered by human activities like an in-
illustrative flow diagram crease in water temperature caused by
is shown at left. global warming.

The three Workshops can be facilitated by grouping

the participants into clusters of adjacent barangays.
Table 22. Suggested Template for Threats Analysis

Workshop 1.
Identification of
Threats Hotspots

The main objective of this

Workshop is to identify
the hotspots. The work-
shop will list the
barangays affected by the
threat (scope), severity of
the threat on the targets,
and permanence or irre-
versibility of the threat.
An illustrative template is
given at right. This table
is then translated into a
threats map showing spe-
cific barangays identified
as hotpots.
 Workshop 2. Threats Ranking

Here, threats are ranked so that activities can be focused where they are most needed, especially when there
are several direct threats. Determine which are critical threats, i.e., the ones that are most important to
address.

Workshop 3. Direct and Indirect Threats Analysis

This Workshop will assist the participants in distinguishing between direct and indirect threats against the
conservation targets, e.g., natural forests, and then prepare a diagram of their cause-and-effect relation-
ships. This diagram will aid the participants in selecting conservation actions. Direct threats are primarily
human activities that immediately affect a target (Salafsky et al., 2008). Examples of direct threats are
kaingin, destructive mining, wildlife hunting, road construction, timber poaching, pollution, or introduction
of exotic invasive species.

Tenurial insecurity or low house-

hold incomes are not considered
direct but are instead indirect
threats as shown in the illustra-
tive diagram at right.

By the end of the three Work-

shops, the LCA TWG should have
reached a consensus on priority
threats that need to be addressed
for improved biodiversity con-
servation. Figure 6. Illustra-
tive Threats
Analysis

Box 10. SWOT Analysis

A short introduction to SWOT Analysis will be given to participants.

Lecture. SWOT Analysis
Major points to be given attention in this lecture will cover the following:

• SWOT analysis will assist the • The SWOT matrix

participants in assessing fac-
tors that will effectively and ef-
ficiently facilitate achievement
of the LCA Management Plan
objectives and those that will
limit or hinder success of im-
plementation activities

• Elements of SWOT are:

– Strengths: internal capacity, system, pro- – Opportunities: external conditions or
cedure, or practices of the LGU that are stakeholders that can prove beneficial to the pro-
favorable to the program gram
– Weaknesses: gaps in existing capacity, sys- – Threats: external risks, conditions, or

36
tem, procedure, or practices of the LGU that stakeholders that can potentially hinder
are not favorable to the program biodiversity conservation program implementation
 Workshop. SWOT Analysis

Table 23. SWOT Analysis Table

Participants can be
grouped into two to
discuss internal
(strengths and
weaknesses) and
external factors
(opportunities and
threats). SWOT
analysis can be fa-
cilitated using the
template at right.

Lecture:
Gender
Analysis

Box 11. Gender Analysis

This lecture will highlight the points below.

• Gender is mandated to be mainstreamed in • Gender analysis explores to understand the ff: 2

planning processes, policies, programs and – Who does what? Look for differences in
projects. The Magna Carta for Women (MCW) and how men and women use and manage natu-
the General Appropriations Act provide for such ral resources. Is it men or women who ex-
mainstreaming. ploit threatened resources?
– Gender and Development Planning shall be – Who benefits? Look for differences in how
integrated in the regular activities where at men and women benefit from using these re-
least 5% of the agency’s total budget will be sources?
utilized for implementation in accordance with – What are the constraints? What are the
specific guidelines provided in JMC 2012-01. practical and cultural constraints that men
– In the Joint Memo Circular (2012-01) by Philip- and women face in relation to natural re-
pine Commission on Women, National Economic source use and conservation?
Development Authority and Department Budget – Who has access? Identify differences be-
and Management, the utilization of GAD funds tween men and women in access, ownership,
will be audited by the Commission on Audit and control of natural resources. Who con-
annually. trols tenure rights? Who is more likely to use
• Gender analysis is about separately looking at those rights to conserve natural resources?
how men and women use and affect natural re- – Who has decision-making control? Explore
sources. the extent to which men and women decide
– It will allow one to see how a conservation how resources are used
intervention will be received by men and – Do men and women have different deci-
women and how it will impact the interests and sion-making roles within organizations or
roles of both sexes. communities? How do these roles influence
– When doing gender analysis, it is important the kind of management decisions they are
that both men and women in the community likely to make?
are given equal opportunity to participate. – What are the views of men and women on
– It is about reaching a better understanding of the trade-offs they are prepared to make be-
how communities work from the perspective of tween conservation, livelihood, and daily rou-
relationships between men and women. tine.

2 WWF (2001). The Practitioner’s Toolbox: Tools for Considering Gender Issues. Brochure of the World Wildlife Fund.
 Workshop: Gender Analysis

Group the participants into two, i.e., men and women. Coach the group in filling-up the tables below.

Table 24. Identifying Observations of Men and Women in Prevailing Practices

Table 25. Identifying Future Interests/Benefits of Men and Women from Use of Natural Resources

Identify opportunities that can be harnessed from the direct stakeholders identified above.

This Workshop ends with a plenary presentation of outputs and group validation.

Figure 7. Illustrative
Diagram of Conser-

38
vation Actions
 Sub-Module 2d. Identification of
Conservation Actions

Learning Objectives
By the end of this sub-module, participants shall have identified key conservation actions that will address
priority threats.

Training Table 26. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 2d:

Identification of Conservation Actions
Schedule
This is a two-day
Workshop with the
schedule presented
at right.

Target
Participants
Target participants
are the LCA TWG
members.

Expected
Outputs
Expected outputs are
the list and brief de-
scriptions of the iden-
tified conservation
actions.

Process

Lecture. Defining Conservation Actions

Principles behind conservation actions are discussed with participants as below.

• The conservation of biological diversity • The most common and desirable ecosystem serv-
implies maintenance of ecological proc- ices associated with effective biodiversity conser-
esses, e.g., nutrient cycling, soil formation, vation include sustained availability of water qual-
gene dispersal, species survival and extinc- ity and quantity and freedom from flooding.
tion, groundwater recharge, soil/slope • Also, because it is usually difficult to justify
stabilization, climate regulation, carbon se- biodiversity conservation projects in simple eco-
questration. Apart from the conservation of nomic and political sense, it is advisable to pre-
species of flora and fauna, biodiversity con- pare the conservation actions diagram in the con-
servation is also about the maintenance of text of a river watershed, as illustrated for Bancal
ecosystem functions. River Watershed at left.

39
 • There are four types of conservation actions promoted in this Guide, namely: a) Retention, b) Recovery,
c) Protection, and d) Restoration of conservation targets. Examples of conservation actions leading to
these are presented in the table below.

Table 27. Examples of Conservation Actions

Workshop. Identification of Conservation Actions

Participants are provided with the results of Sub-Module 2c, including threats hotspots, threats ranking, and
direct and indirect threats analysis. Using these, they are coached on preparing at least three conservation
action diagrams such as presented above, i.e., one for each of the three threats with the highest overall score
in threats ranking.

40
 MODULE 3. LCA Management
Plan Formulation

Coverage

At this stage, the LCA working group already shares a

certain degree of familiarity about the municipal LCA
– its location, area, targets of conservation, ecosys-
tem values, economic benefits, and threats. Module
3 deals with the preparation of the LCA Management
Plan. The tasks include:

Sub-Module 3a
• Vision setting
• Goals and objectives setting
• Strategic directions setting
• Performance target setting

Sub-Module 3b
• Financial Planning

Sub-Module 3c
• Developing M and E mechanism

LCA in Polillo Group of Islands, Quezon

41
 Sub-Module 3a. VMGO, Strategic Directions,
and Performance Target Setting

Learning Objectives
By the end of the Sub-Module, participants should be able to:
• Discuss key concepts in strategic planning and define differ- • Identify components of the LCA
ences among vision, goals, objectives, strategic directions, and Management Plan for the achieve-
performance targets ment of indicated conservation ac-
• Discuss relevant information in the Situation Analysis that tions
have to be considered in this strategic planning process • Draft the LCA Management Plan

Training
Schedule
The Module 3 work-
shop is done in 2
days. However, the
entire work may be
completed in 1-3
months or longer
depending on the
ability of the LCA
TWG and the avail-
ability of follow-
through technical
guidance. In this
Module, robust
technical guidance
and coaching ses-
sions with the LCA
TWG are needed.
Since it is not ex-
pected that the
work outputs are
completed within
the duration of the
workshops, most of
the work will there-
fore have to be
done afterwards.

Table 28. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 3a:

VMGO, Strategic Directions, and
Target Expected Outputs Performance Target Setting
Participants
Expected outputs are:
Participants of this • Vision and missions • Performance targets
Sub-Module are LCA statements • Five-year implementation
TWG members. • Goals and objectives (work and financial) plan

42
• Strategic directions • Draft LCA Management Plan
Process
Sub-Module 3a involves a series of workshops. Input sessions on setting the vision, conservation goals,
conservation objectives, and strategic directions – in that order – are first given. After this, an annotated
outline of the LCA Management Plan is discussed. Afterwards, the LCA TWG proceeds into workshops. These
are aimed chiefly to familiarize the group about the needed work. Lecture and workshop on performance
target setting follow. Participants in plenary are then tasked to write the portions of the outline of their choice
and a timetable for completion of a draft LCA Management Plan is agreed upon. The necessary works to
complete the outputs for Module 3 are actually carried out after the 2-day workshop.

Lecture. Strategic Figure 8. LCA Management Plan Process

Planning Concepts
and Tools;
Annotated LCA
Management Plan
Outline

This lecture focuses on the basic

guidelines for setting the LCA Man-
agement Plan vision, mission, goals,
objectives, and strategic directions.

1) Vision setting lays down the shared practical vision of what the munici- Box 12. Sample Vision
pality desires to see within the next 5 or 10 years in terms of biodiversity Statement
conservation in the LCA. The focus question to be answered in plenary by “Mount Nacolod con-
t h e L C What would you like to see in place in the proposed LCA 5
A T W G i s : “ servation area is pro-
(or 10) years from now?” tected, conserved and
sustainably managed
2) Terrestrial biodiversity management goals are normally set at the land- by empowered commu-
scape level at the KBA level because biodiversity and its associated eco- nities to ensure its life
logical processes are characteristic of landscapes. This situation involves support system through
several municipalities within the KBA landscape abiding by a common Local Government Unit
goal. According to Noss (1999), without such a unification of goals, Alliance.”
biodiversity is unlikely to be conserved, except by accident.

Box 13. Sample Conservation Goal Statements

“By year 2020, inter-LGU (landscape level) biodiversity 2020, municipal residents are actively par-
management is realized as a means to better achieve mu- ticipating in municipal biodiversity conser-
nicipal biodiversity conservation objectives”; “by year 2020, vation efforts”; “by year 2020 there is sus-
X percent of forestlands and watersheds in the municipal- tained availability of abundant ecosystem
ity are planned and zonified as a means to better manage services, particularly water, and freedom
biodiversity targets”; “by year 2020, the direct and indirect from geological disasters (e.g., landslides)
threats to the conservation targets are reduced”; “by year for the residents of the municipality.”

43
 • However, for various reasons, a cluster of LGUs may not undergo collective biodiversity planning. It is
more likely that in the beginning they will plan individually and separately with the provision that they
will eventually work together given continuing encouragement and support from DENR-BMB.
• Conservation goals are time-bound and, if possible, quantified statements of the vision; the desired
future state of the LCA or some specific conservation target.

3) Basic guidelines in setting conservation objectives are:

• Biodiversity conservation objectives are bio-physical objectives; they are not management objectives
like enactment of policies, establishment of ENRO, or linkaging/networking. This matter will be dealt
with in setting management and bio-physical performance targets (in work and financial planning).
• Objectives are quantified statements about what needs to be done to address the direct threats. They
deal with the scope and magnitude of the threats being addressed. Objectives can be set by directly
addressing the direct threats. In the case of rampant timber poaching, for instance, a good objective
would be to stop forest loss and recover X hectares of natural forests by mobilizing a vigorous forest
protection and law enforcement campaign directed against violators.
• Alternatively, objectives can be established by
dealing with the indirect threats. Rural poverty,
for instance, may be indicated by extensive con- Another conservation objective may be stated as:
version of forests into agricultural croplands “to retain, protect, and manage x/y hectares (or %)
(kaingin). A good objective here would be to im- of natural areas, itemized as hectares of open-ac-
plement agroforestry in X hectares suitable to cess natural areas and hectares of tenured natural
long-term cropping or to recover X hectares of areas.”
unsuitable farmlands for habitat expansion or
water production. If there is a need to include Example: illegal cutting/timber poaching/illegal
certain farmlands or grasslands to allow them mining in X hectares (or X barangays) reduced;
to revert to natural conditions, a good objective established connectivity of X hectares of frag-
would be: “to expand the natural system from mented forests; increased livelihood assistance in
the existing aggregate of 10,000 hectares con- X hectares of upland farms to increase farm yields
sisting of 50 fragments to the original contigu- and thereby reduce kaingin expansion; X hectares
ous 20,000 hectares connected by corridors.” of firewood production areas established to reduce
• Always use the results of threat ranking in unauthorized wood gathering in natural forests.
prioritizing objectives. Avoid desirable but im-
practical objectives.

In setting conservation
objectives, consider the The focus question in setting the strategic direction is:
constraints and oppor-
tunities associated with “What are the specific doable actions that we need to take in order to move
zoning, changes in land towards the vision?”
uses due to population
growth, land tenure, A sample strategic direction statement may be: “achieve broad citizen par-
land claims, economic ticipation and political commitment, create a MENRO with sufficient budget
growth, climate change, and competent staff, and negotiate a co-management agreement with DENR.”
and geo-hazards.

Clarify which activities and outputs are targeted to women, which to men and which to both. A note, however,
is not to combine all women’s activities within one output with a very small claim on resources and no
influence on the rest of the policy/project.

4) Like vision setting, strategic directions statements rely upon the familiarity of the LCA TWG about the
municipal LCA – its location, coverage, targets of conservation, ecosystem values, economic benefits, and
threats. Since LGUs in most cases possess little tradition for forest management, particularly biodiversity

44
conservation, it is important to develop an innovative approach that galvanizes action towards achievement
of the vision.
5) The annotated outline of the LCA Management Plan (Annex 4).

Workshops 1 to 3. Vision, Goals,

Objectives, and Strategic Directions
Setting

LCA TWG members are guided to work in a

plenary on vision, goals, and objective state-
ments as well as strategic directions.

Lecture. Performance Target Setting

Fundamental concepts of performance target setting are provided to participants, which include:

1) Conservation objectives are achieved with the attainment of performance targets. There are two types
of performance targets: bio-physical targets and management targets.

2) The biophysical targets are the measurable quantities of work corresponding to the four (4) conserva-
tion actions: retention, protection, recovery, and restoration. For example, activities that correspond to
retention (of, say, remaining second growth forests) may include locking up certain target areas by a mix
of physical barriers (e.g., closure of roads, destruction of bridges), legislation (e.g., total ban on permits/
licenses, ban on human entry, resettlement/relocation of population), and prevention of leakage (e.g.,
establishment of wood production areas, resettlement areas, agroforestry areas).

3) Management targets, on the other hand, include provision of conducive policy, periodic plan reviews
and updating, monitoring and evaluation, establishment of linkages, and development of cooperative
networks, financing strategies (e.g., business plan) and, to some extent, scientific research.

4) Specify gender-sensitive indicators 3. The latter allow measurement of benefits to women and men.
Depending on the policy/project, and referring to the results of the situation analysis, these might in-
clude: the impact/effectiveness of activities targeted to address women’s or men’s practical and strategic
gender needs i.e. new skills, knowledge, resources, opportunities or services in the context of their exist-
ing gender roles/practices that they identified as needed in the conservation management. Examples of
indicators are:
• Targeted actions to increase • Establishment of joint initiative conservation management
women’s role in decision-mak- structure involving men and women resource users and other
ing; opening up new opportu- stakeholders;
nities for women/men in non- • Rules of resource use and access are clearly defined and
traditional skill areas that are socially acceptable for both men and women in the commu-
appropriate. nity.

Gender-sensitive indicators need to capture quantitative and qualitative aspects of change.

45
3 Derbyshire, H. A Practical Guide for Development Policy Makers and Practitioners Social Development Division
DFID, UK, 2002
 Quantitative indicators refer to the significant numbers and percentages of women and men or organizations
involved in or affected by any particular group or activity. Quantitative indicators draw on the sex disaggregated
data systems and records that have been examined during processes of policy or project planning. The
availability of quantitative baseline data means that indicators usually include some element of target
setting.

Workshop 4. Performance Target Setting

Performance targets are identified through consensus-building using the matrix below.

Table 29. Performance Target Matrix

This Sub-Module ends with an action planning session to set the timetable and to assign the TWG members
who will complete the outputs of the Sub-Modules and draft sections of the Plan following the annotated
outline.

46
 Sub-Module 3b. Financial Planning

Learning Objectives
By the end of this Sub-Module, participants shall be able to:
• Explain why a Financial Plan is needed for implementation of the LCA • Identify potential fund-
Management Plan ing sources to close fi-
• Define cost categories – Investment Costs and Maintenance, Operating nancing gap, thereby
and Other Expenses (MOOEs) – and identify activities belonging to these achieving financial
cost categories sustainability

Training Table 30. Training Schedule for Sub-Module 3b: Financial Planning
Schedule
This is a two-day
Workshop with the
schedule at right:

Target
Participants
For this Sub-Module,
the LCA TWG mem-
bers are needed. It
should be empha-
sized that the Munici-
pal Budget Officer
and Municipal Ac-
countant of the con-
cerned LGUs should
be present since it is
the aim of the proc-
ess to lobby for LCE
provision of annual
budget allocation for
the LCA Management
Plan implementation
in the LGU’s Annual
Investment Plan (AIP).

Expected Outputs
Expected outputs of this Sub-Module are the following:
• Estimated costs for LCA Management Plan implementation • Potential financing mecha-
• Potential funding sources for LCA Management Plan implementation nisms to close financing gap

47
 Process

Lecture. Financial Planning for Biodiversity Conservation

A lecture on key concepts and tools in financial planning are provided to participants. Topics to be covered
include the following:

1) A Financial Plan is needed to determine:

• For which activities these resources are • From whom/which offices the needed resources
needed can be solicited
• Amount needed to ensure a timely, effective, • To monitor and evaluate financial sustainability
and efficient implementation in terms of LCA Management Plan implementa-
• When these resources are needed tion

2) The benefits of doing an LGU-based Financial Plan include:

• Primary funding source is regular LGU budget • LGU needs to tap revenue or funding sources
allocation (other than regular LGU subsidy)
• Main objective is to have the LCA Manage- • Transparent and accountable financing mecha-
ment Plan activities included in the AIPs of LGUs nisms have to be established

3) Financial planning has two components:

• Estimating required financing resources to • Determining fund sources that can be tapped to
fund the identified implementation activities support the implementation activities (BUDGET and
(COSTS) REVENUES)

4) Activity-based cost accounting is a useful tool for financial planning.

• It addresses two critical points: • It recognizes two basic activity cost centers:
– What activities need to be done? – Production cost center: activity-driven cost with
– How much will it cost for these activities to be unit of outputs, e.g., reforestation, alternative live-
done? lihood activities
• It is useful in estimating overhead expenses – Overhead cost center: cost-driven activity with no
or COMMON COSTS – in which activities are these unit cost of outputs, e.g., administration (MENRO),
spent? IEC, enforcement

5) Steps in ABC Accounting

• Identify costs for implementation activities per performance target
• Identify activities under two types of costs:
– Investment costs/capital outlays (land, vehicles, equip- – Annual recurring costs (personnel
ment, buildings and structures, furniture and fixtures) services, MOOEs)

6) Financing Gap is Current Revenue Sources less Required Costs.

7) There is a need to identify potential revenue sources for the following reasons:
• Subsidies from national/local government • Additional financing sources mean increased buy-
units have to be reduced so resources freed in of stakeholders, e.g., private sector participation
up can be used to finance other equally im- • User fees have to accrue to achieve conservation
portant socio-economic projects actions

48
 Box 14. Examples of MOOEs Box 15. Potential Revenue/Funding Sources

Vehicle and equipment operating expenses Traditional Sources

• Maintenance parts and supplies • DENR budget
• Fuel, oil and tires, fluids and lubricants • LGU AIP
• Minor repairs – (20% of Annual Internal Revenue Allotment
Maintenance expenses for Development Projects)
• Cleaning, upkeep and minor repairs, and – DRRM Fund
painting of buildings • Foreign-assisted projects
• Road maintenance/repairs
• Maintenance of utilities (light, water) Market-Based Sources
• Landscaping • Resource extraction fees
• Regular maintenance and minor repair of • Tourism charges
office equipment • Carbon offsets
Payments for utilities • Bio-prospecting fees
• Electricity and water • Payments for ecosystem services
• Telephone, telegrams, communications
Purchase of non-capital goods (consumables) Changing Behavior
Other operational and administrative costs • Community-managed facilities
• Training and conferences • Damage payments
• Printing and publications
External Sources
• Revolving Fund, e.g., pooling of resources of
LGUs within alliance
• Grants and donations
Workshop 1. Estimating Costs for LCA
Management Plan Implementation Source: REECS, 2013

Worksheets4 to be used in this Workshop are introduced. Participants are guided in the process of estimating
required costs for LCA Management Plan implementation.

1) Identify ac- Table 31. Matrix of Activities per Performance Target (adopted from DENR/
tivities under BMB-REECS Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas Project)
each perform-
ance target.
2) For each ac-
tivity identi-
fied, identify
sub-activities,
persons re-
sponsible, and
target period
for activities.

4 REECS, Business Planning, 2013

49
 3) Identify necessary costs for each activity identified, indicating period when these costs will be incurred.

Table 32. Budget Plan (matrix adopted from DENR/BMB-

REECS Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas Project

Workshop 2. Estimating Financing Gap for LCA Management Plan Implementation

Procedure for estimating financing gap:

1) Identify current funding sources and 2) Estimate gap between project funds sourced and esti-
estimated project amount within Plan mated required costs for LCA Management Plan implemen-
period. tation.

Workshop 3. Identifying Potential Revenue/Funding

Sources for LCA Management Plan Implementation

Participants are assisted on: Table 33. Potential Revenue Sources for LCA Management Plan Implementation
1) Listing potential CMF
fund sources.
2) Projecting when these
potential fund sources
can be realized.

In case the outputs of this Sub-Module are not completed by the end of the two-day Workshop, an Action
Plan among the LCA TWG on completion of these outputs is agreed upon among themselves.

50
 MODULE 4. Plan Legitimization

Coverage

Module 4 is about legitimization of the LGU’s Man-

agement Plan. It is not actually a training but a proc-
ess that will push the formal adoption of the Plan by
concerned LGUs following the usual procedure of the
SB/SP of local governments.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this Module, the LCA TWG shall have
facilitated the formal adoption of the Plan by the SB.

Target Participants
Main actors in this Module are the LCA TWG
members.

Training Schedule
The plan legitimization process is expected to be
completed in about 1-2 months.

Process
Expected Outputs
1) The following is the process involved in Plan
The Module 4 outputs are: legitimization:

• Electronic and hardcopies of the draft plan • Step 1. Conduct of consultations to inform
• Powerpoint presentation key stakeholders and invite their comments
• Documentation report on the stakeholder con- and suggestions regarding the draft LCA
sultation • Step 2. Submission of the draft Plan to the
• Written MDC endorsement to the SB MDC to solicit further improvements on the
• SB resolution endorsing the plan to the DENR plan
for approval • Step 3. Official endorsement of draft Plan by
• Hardcopy of the DENR-approved LCA manage- MDC to the SB
ment plan, including letters of transmittal • Step 4. Once duly endorsed by the SB, the
• Signed Joint DENR-BMB-LGU LCA Implementa- plan is submitted to the DENR for affirmation
tion Agreement or concurrence

51
 2) To facilitate the said legitimization process in a participatory manner and ensure support of key
decision makers, the guidelines below are provided to the LCA TWG.
• For this legitmization process to succeed at all lev- • To facilitate the SB endorsement
els, several small pre-event meetings of the LCA work- of the plan to the DENR for approval,
ing group will be convened. These meetings will re- it is important to ensure active at-
solve issues related to, among others, the preparation tendance of the SB representatives
of presentation materials, conduct of rehearsals to im- in all LCA modules
prove discussions and anticipate responses to clarifi- • To improve opportunities for se-
cations, and assignation of competent members who curing LGU budgetary allocation dur-
will respond to particular issues and undertake post- ing plan implementation, it is im-
event follow-through actions, e.g., obtaining copies of portant to ensure active participa-
endorsements and resolutions. tion of the Office of the MBO in the
• It should be ensured that there is balance and mean- LCA planning process
ingful participation of men and women in public hear- • To facilitate DENR approval of the
ings. 5 The following questions will have to be consid- LCA management plan, it is impor-
ered: tant to invite the attendance and
– Does it meet men’s and women’s needs? participation of the Regional Direc-
– Does it improve gender equality? tor and cognizant staff during the
– Does it worsen gender inequality? stakeholder consultations
– Does it address specific gender issues identified • The LCA working group will require
during the planning stage? close DENR-BMB guidance and
– Does it provide enough resources to implement gen- coaching in carrying out the plan le-
der components? gitimization process

Dalaguete LGU Sangguniang Bayan Resolution

Legitimizing its LCA Management Plan

5 Philippine Environmental Governance Project, Integrating Gender into LGU Environment and Natural Resources
Planning and Ordinance Formulation

52
 MODULE 5. Plan Implementation

Coverage

The aim of this module is to provide guidance to the

LCA working group so that, in turn, the LGU organizes
a team or creates an office to implement the approved
LCA Management Plan. Once so organized, the LCA
working group will also receive DENR-BMB guidance
so that, in turn, it can help the appointed implement-
ing team or the newly establish LCA management of-
fice prepare the Year 1 implementation plan.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the Module, participants shall be
able to:
• Discuss duties, responsibilities, and mecha-
nisms involving institutional support to LCA
Management Plan implementation
• Establish local policy support for LCA Man-
agement Plan implementation and facilitate
execution of the said policy
• Carry out Year 1 implementation plan

Target Participants
LCA TWG members are the ones involved in this
process.
Process
Training Schedule • Ensure completion of the 5-year imple-
mentation schedule and the 5-year work
About three months of continuing DENR-BMB techni- and financial plan before the annual
cal assistance will be needed to organize the imple- budget call
menting team or office and another 1 month to pre- • Ensure that the Year 1 budget in the 5-
pare and obtain approval of the Year 1 implementa- year work and financial plan is included
tion plan. in the budget call
• In establishing the implementing team,
include the appointment of barangay-level
working groups in the organizational struc-
Expected Outputs ture
• The year 1 implementation plan usually
The outputs of this module include: (a) Executive involves work and budget prioritization.
Order establishing the LCA implementation team; and Include the barangay-level working groups

53
(b) approved Year 1 implementation plan and budget. in the prioritization process
 GLOSSARY
ARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
BACI Before/After-Control/Intervention
BioCon Biodiversity Conservation
BMB Biodiversity Management Bureau
BMS Biodiversity Monitoring System
CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title
CBFMA Community-Based Forest Management Agreement
CDC City Development Council
CDP Comprehensive Development Plan
CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resource Officer
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
CMF Conservation Management Framework
CSC Community Stewardship Certificate
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DILG Department of Interior and Local Government
FFI Fauna and Flora International
FGD Focus Group Discussion
FLUP Forest Land Use Plan
FPE Foundation for the Philippine Environment
GEF Global Environmental Facility
GIZ Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
HCVA High Conservation Value
IFMA Industrial Forest Management Agreement
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature
JVA Joint Venture Agreement
KBA Key Biodiversity Area
LCA Local Conservation Areas
LGU Local Government Unit
LSP Local Service Provider
M and E Monitoring and Evaluation
MBO Municipal Budget Officer
MDC Municipal Development Council
MENRO Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Officer
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOOEs Maintenance, Operating and Other Expenses
MPDO Municipal Planning and Development Officer
MRV Measurement, Reporting and Verification
MSPL Manleluag Springs Protected Landscape
MTO Municipal Tourism Officer
NewCAPP New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project
NGO Non-Government Organization
NIPAS National Integrated Protected Areas System
PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Officer
PBCFI Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.
PPDO Provincial Planning and Development Officer
PPDP Provincial Physical and Development Plan
PTFCF Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation
REECS Resources, Environment, and Economics Center for Studies
SB Sangguniang Bayan
SP Sangguniang Panlalawigan
SWOT Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats
TWG Technical Working Group
UNDP United Nations Development Programme

54
USAID United States Agency for International Development