Responding to the issue of upland poverty

The success in reforestation effort initiated by Barangay Banila, Dupax del Sur recently earned the status of a community-based forest management (CBFM) area. CBFM is a program of the DENR that addresses the continuing destruction of our forests and responds to the issue of upland poverty, considered one of the root causes of the country’s deforestation problem.

The concern of the people in rehabilitating the degraded forest lands led to the success of the reforestation project in Barangay Banila. The area of 2,395 hectares, is about 36 kilometers away from Bayombong, the capital town of Nueva Vizcaya.

Before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) came into the picture, the mountain ranges in Banila were sub-marginal. The place was grassland areas, dominated mostly by "talahib" or Imprenta cylindrica.

In 1995, the DENR awarded a reforestation contract to BCBAI to reforest 221 hectares under the Banila Sub-Project funded by the Asian Development Bank Loan II. T he contract had some P3.98 million budget up to 1998.

Even before the DENR came, communities were already doing their share to protect the environment.

Communities at Barangay Banila started reforesting around 180 hectares of forestland with Gmelina arborea and Sweitenia macrophylla. Apo Isaac Liquigan spearheaded the creation of BCBAI, with him elected as president.

When the DENR turned down their application for a reforestation permit during that time, residents did not lose hope. They sold their carabaos and other farm products in order to have the resources to develop their plantation. It was their commitment to restore the environmental health of their place. Their diligence paid of.

Upon learning of the initiatives undertaken by BCBAI, the DENR entered into contract with BCBAI to reforest 221 hectares. The DENR saw in them their persistence and their commendable commitment to save the environment in that part of the land.

Based on the assessment conducted by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Bayombong in 1998, or after the duration of the project, the plantation had an 88.02 percent survival rate, compared to 80 percent survival rate required by the DENR in every reforestation project.

At the end of the project in 1998 and with no more funding assistance from the DENR, BCBAI formed the Banila Community-based Cooperative Inc, and initiated linkage with local government units (LGU) and other government agencies to start with livelihood enterprise. The Cooperative sought funding from the mayor and governor in order to establish their multi-purpose hall.

They also initiated fund raising campaigns by selling tickets during their assemblies so they would have enough money to complete the construction of their multi-purpose hall.

They continue tending their forests and protecting them from outsiders after the contract with the DENR ended.. They initiated other livelihood options. Award-giving bodies recognized their commitment.

For the year 2000, Banila got the first place in the "Search for the Best Cooperative" in Dupax del Sur; most sustainable project in "Upland Category" in Region 2; most outstanding in "ADB Loan II Project in Nueva Vizcaya.

For the year 2001, the project was adjudged as most sustainable project in "Upland Category" in Nueva Vizcaya; and most sustainable project in "Upland Category" in Region 2.

For year 2002, the project was again awarded most sustainable project in "Upland Category" in Region 2.

People started with other livelihood enterprises from which they could derive income while at the same time maintain and manage the forest.

Anthurium and roses gardening was initiated by women’s group as additional source of income. PO members earn around P4,000 per harvest from the cutflowers. To avoid middlemen, BCBC buys them from PO members and sell them to flower shops. Initial talks have made between the BCBC and flower shops from Baguio.

Through CBFM the DENR will continue to provide assistance to the communities in Banila until such time they attain environmental stability and economic development. Within the area, about 80 hectares of grasslands were awarded to PO members for environmental enrichment planting under the CBFM-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program fund. In addition, around 70 hectares of fruit plantation are expected to be established with the assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. This means additional income for PO members.