By Henrylito D. Tacio

FIRST, the bad news. Between 1990 and 2000, the Philippines lost more than 800,000 hectares of forests to clearing for agriculture, forest fires, illegal logging, and other factors.

"More than 400 plant and animal species found in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle and tamaraw," notes Kathleen Mogelgaard, of the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau.

Most provinces now have less than 50 percent forest cover left, according to Representative Edcel Lagman of Albay. Only 16 provinces have forest cover of more than 50 percent, he claims.

"We are now at the eleventh hour," warns Dr. Ernesto Guiang of the Development Alternatives, Inc. "We have to pay attention to the handwriting on the wall with respect to our forests."

Now, the good news. Of the 28 cases featured in the recently-published "In Search of Excellence: Exemplary Forest Management in Asia and the Pacific,"
four were from the Philippines. In fact, the country has the more number of cases highlighted in the book.

Ikalahan Forest Reserve

Leading them is the Kalahan Forest Reserve, between Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya and San Nicolas, Pangasinan. Note FAO's Chris Brown, Patrick Durst and Thomas Enters in the introductory part of the book: "The Kalahan Forest Reserve provides a compelling example of an indigenous ethic group (the Ikalahan) using forestry practice to help maintain cultural identity."

In fact, it has emerged as a model for community-based forest management - now promoted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - and for reducing threats to ancestral lands. "But the Ikalahan have gone far beyond this in developing a holistic system of forest management," the three FAO officials said. "The system incorporates crucial aspects of Ikalahan culture, coupled with entrepreneurship and forward-looking leadership focused on maintaining a viable ethnic culture in the modern world."

Ifugao 'muyong'

In tandem with the Ikalahan Forest Reserve is the "muyong" of the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao. The patches of forest, usually enclosing or adjacent to Ifugao settlements are known as "muyong." Explains Dr. Rogelio Serrano, who has studied the Ifugao for a number of years, "A 'muyong' is an untilled slope covered mainly with timber, fruit trees, climbing rattan, bamboo, palms and other associated natural vegetation, which is often used as a source of fuelwood."

Observed the three FAO officials: "Depending on the perspective taken, the time-tested 'muyong' system can be viewed as a forest conservation strategy, a watershed rehabilitation technique, a farming system or an assisted natural regeneration strategy."

Mount Makiling

The Banaue Rice Terraces is considered the "Eight's World Wonder." Equally known around the world is the legendary Mount Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna. The forest reserve is particularly important as an educational and research resource. It also has enormous biological diversity and genetic resources. "Botanical references to Mt. Makiling describe an exceptional diversity of woody plant species, totaling more than the entire number of woody species found in the United States," report Juan Pulhin and Maricel Tapia, authors the case.

"The reserve is the only intact forest within the vicinity of Metro Manila and it attracts a growing number of ecotourists and recreational visitors," the three FAO officials commented. "If that is not enough, the watershed protection services that the mountainous forest provides are also increasingly value."

Buswang Mangrove Plantations

If you think deforestation happens only in the uplands, you're wrong. Even in the lowlands. Approximately two-thirds of the country's original mangroves have been lost, according to some reports.

In some areas, these mangrove areas have been rehabilitated. This is particularly true in Kalibo, Aklan, home of the Buswang Mangrove Plantations. "The area is being promoted as an alternative tourism site alongside Boracay Island and Kalibo's Ati-Atihan Festival," said Mayor Reymar Rebaldo.

"When the project was first initiated," the three FAO officials noted, "the forest existed only in people's mind. The area to be planted was nothing more than a bare mudflat that left the nearby town exposed to flooding caused by high tides and typhoons."

Then, came KASAMA (Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association), which executed the dream into a reality. "The unity demonstrated by KASAMA has been directly responsible for minimizing incidents of illegal cutting in the mangrove area," said officer Didi Quimpo. "KASAMA offers a far better means of protection than the local government could otherwise afford."

Share of problems

The four exemplary forestry cases in the Philippines, however, have their own share of problems. Take the case of Mt. Makiling. "I've seen a lot of activities on the mountain that endanger its beauty and reduce its resource value," said Shirley Satioquia, a 43-year-old resident, who has lived near the forest reserve for the past 20 years. "These include illegal cutting of trees, littering inside the forest, and dumping of garbage."

"Some of the major problems encountered by KASAMA are the indifference of non-members, logistical difficulties, failed ventures, technical obstacles and illegal encroachment," said Erlinda Fernandez of the Buswang Mangrove Plantations. "Some of these problems pose a threat to the long-term sustainability of the project."

Other cases

The thickly populated India has three cases featured in the book: Sulia Paribesh Parishad, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and Dugli-Jawarra. China has only two: Houshan County and Lin'an County.

Indonesia, Nepal, and New Zealand have also two cases each while the following have only case featured in the book: Cambodia, Fiji, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

The 450-page book is published jointly by the regional office of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC), both based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nothing sells like bad news. As such, reports of rampant forest destruction, floods, landslides, and droughts provide ample merchandise for "headline-hungry purveyors" and a receptive public. But is the situation really as bad as portrayed?

In their foreword, FAO's He Changchui and RECOFTC's Yam Malla answered the question: "Instead of dwelling on the failures and the negative, it celebrates the 'good' and the many positive management efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. It highlights people who are striving for excellence in forest management and seeks to encourage other to emulate these positive efforts. Collectively, the story of forestry that emerges may be more about endeavor and ingenuity than greed, indifference, and incompetence."

Hailed Dr. David Kaimowitz, director general of the Center for International Forestry Research: "Hope is on its way. We have enough of doom and gloom. These inspiring stories remind us there are good people out there doing good things in the forests."

Neil Byron, of the Productivity Commission in Australia, echoes the same accolade: "Inspiring examples that show the way forward. Yes, excellent forest management is not only possible but already happening in places across Asia and the Pacific."

ooOoo