FOREST PROTECTORS. Glad to have joined the consultation, various groups working on the preservation of forests in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental look forward to the next steps of collaborating with newfound allies and fellow advocates. Photo by Jan Amper.

By Casandra Emata, Xavier Science Foundation - Institute of Land Governance

In partnership with the Xavier Science Foundation Inc (XSF), the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation Inc (PTFCF) gathered forest management stakeholders from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental for a consultation from October 17 to 18 at the Xavier University - Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN).

Government agencies, the academe, civil society organizations, and indigenous peoples’ communities managing and conserving the mountain ranges of Kitanglad, Kalatungan and Pantaron in Bukidnon and Mt Balatukan in Misamis Oriental gathered to learn about community-based forest management strategies, research and technology employed  in the context of the region’s development plans of the government, and to recommend ways and opportunities for partnership.

The consultation is also organized for participants to provide inputs and help strengthen PTFCF’s five-year program framework for supporting sustainable forest management in partnership with various stakeholders.

The stakeholders themselves expressed their desire for the formation of a network and alliance of forest managers from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental so that collaboration, resource, and knowledge sharing and complementation of initiatives can take place, and achievements can be shared as they work together.

Inputs will then be incorporated in the final program framework for presentation in the next consultation involving more stakeholders on the last week of November.